A low sound of approval rumbled in his chest before he spoke in a rough whisper. “I will take care of you, Emma. I promise.”
Then he lowered his head and closed his mouth over the peak of her breast with hot, consuming possession.
Her legs did give way then, and he grasped her quickly around the waist to hold her up for him as he devoured her supple flesh, twirling his tongue in a wicked dance over the sensitive tip. Making her belly clench tight and her head spin in a whirlwind of new sensations.
She grasped his head in her hands in an attempt to anchor herself to him. The slide of his dark hair felt like silk between her fingers.
But like the kiss, it was over too quickly and he drew back again, pushing her to arm’s length. His breath was harsh, and hers was ragged.
He reached for the other strap of her shift. Slipping it from her shoulder, he watched as the thin undergarment fell to gather at the swell of her hips. His perfect lips curved into a grin that sent shock waves through her system, right before he lifted his fingers to pinch her newly bared nipple between his forefinger and thumb.
The pleasure-pain of it speared through her, making her gasp with the unexpected sensation.
Then he tugged at the material of her shift and it fell the rest of the way from her body.
Emma surrendered to the vulnerability washing over her as she stood before him clad in nothing but her stockings.
His gaze traveled hungrily, possessively over her. From the slope of her shoulders, over the curves of her sensitized breasts, past the trembling surface of her belly, and down the full length of her legs. A flicker passed through his eyes as his attention swept over the shadowed apex at the juncture of her thighs.
More delicious heat pooled there, and Emma fought the urge to clench her thighs together in an effort to contain the sensations.
“Your body is exquisite,” he murmured. “I could gaze at you for hours. But not tonight.”
He lifted his hands to her hips. His strong fingers tested the resilience of her flesh, pressing into the soft mounds of her buttocks as he pulled her into his embrace.
She melted against him, a deep sigh flowing from her lungs as his bare skin pressed against her. Her breasts flattened against his chest; her belly melded with his. And the length of his arousal jutted proudly, insistently, against her hip. She wished it were not still confined by his breeches.
She wrapped her arms around his neck as his shoulders curved over her and he bent his head finally to take her mouth again. She was ready with parted lips and bated breath. Her tongue swept forward to meet and mate with his, twirling deliciously. Her lips scraped against his teeth and a velvety groan rumbled in his throat.
The kiss created a wrenching pull on all her senses. Her body molded to his, his skin scorching her with the heat of passion. Her body was on fire from the inside out, melting with the craving for more. She undulated against him, her spine arching and releasing as she sought deeper, more intense expressions of his desire.
Then, suddenly, she was swept off her feet as he brought his arm beneath her knees and lifted her up to cradle against his chest, never breaking the kiss.
He carried her swiftly from the room. It didn’t occur to her to wonder where he was taking her until he lowered her onto a silk-covered bed. She murmured in protest as he drew back from the kiss and slid his arms from around her body, leaving her there in the middle of the mattress.
She opened her eyes. The room was lit gently by the glow of a fire and a few flickering candles. Roderick stood beside the bed, his gaze shamelessly soaking in the sight of her laid out on the red satin coverlet, naked but for the pale silk stockings cinched around her upper thighs.
Twenty-seven
She pushed up to a seated position and reached for one of the garters.
“Leave them,” he commanded. The gruff sound of his voice sent shivers rippling through her. Her hand stilled over her thigh. “Lie back again. I want to see all of you.”
Emma did as he said. But she rolled partly to her side, propping her arm beneath her head so she could observe him as he stared at her. Her body burned everywhere his gaze touched. Her nipples constricted painfully and her breasts felt heavy.
His gaze skimmed over the curve of her hip and down to her knees, then her feet. As his focus slid slowly back up, she bent her knee, drawing her leg up to shield the entrance to her body, blocking it from his lusty view.
When his gaze flew to her face, his brows lowered in protest, she curved her lips into a sensual smile. Her voice was sultry as she demanded, “Remove your breeches for me.”
His eyes widened at the willful tone of her voice.
Then he smiled back at her and Emma’s heart skipped two beats. She was playing with fire now. She knew it, and the thrill that went through her told her without a doubt it would be worth it.