THE VALQUEZ SEDUCTION(51)

                He liked her sense of playfulness. She could be serious when she needed to be but a smile was never far away. He liked the way her smile lit up her eyes so they danced and sparkled.

                She burrowed further into the pillow, her eyelids flickering, just like they’d done the first night he had watched her sleep. Her skin was free of make-up, as pure and as smooth as milk. He could spend hours watching her. The peacefulness of her when she slept calmed him. It soothed that restless energy deep inside him.

                He came over to the bed and touched her creamy cheek with his fingertip, tracing the aristocratic slope, watching as her eyelids flickered again before opening to meet his gaze. ‘What time is it?’ she asked.

                ‘Just gone midnight.’

                She sat up and pushed her hair back over one shoulder, holding the sheet up to her chest to cover her nakedness. ‘Have I missed dinner?’

                He couldn’t hold back a smile as he traced her cheekbone again. ‘Do you think of anything but food?’

                Her cheek bloomed pink under the brushstroke of his fingertip. ‘I do now.’

                Luiz bent down to press his mouth against the lush bow of hers. It never failed to amaze him how soft her lips were. Soft and pliable as they moved against his in a kiss that spoke of physical yearnings that simmered under the surface. He cupped her face and deepened the kiss, putting his knee on the bed beside her as he pressed her back down on the bed. Her arms went around his neck, her mouth hot and tempting beneath his. He explored every corner of her sweetness, the taste of her like an intoxicating elixir. He wondered if he could ever satisfy his craving for her. He was trying not to overwhelm her with too much too soon. Her body would be tender and sore if he made love to her too vigorously and too often. It was strange territory for him to be feeling so protective.

                It was strange for him to be feeling…

                He pulled back as she reached for him. ‘You need food.’

                ‘I need you more.’

                He stood and put some distance between himself and her tempting body. ‘Food first.’

                While he was on the phone ordering room service he watched her slip on a bathrobe. She gave a little wincing movement as she walked away from the bed. Something slipped in his stomach. He’d hurt her. ‘Are you OK?’

                She gave him one of her bright smiles. ‘Of course.’

                He put the phone down and came over to her, tipping up her chin to look deep into her clear blue gaze. ‘I was too rough with you.’

                Her forehead pleated in a protesting frown. ‘No, you weren’t.’

                He stroked her reddened chin where his stubble had prickled her soft skin. He heard her breath softly catch. Saw her pupils dilate. Watched as the tip of her tongue came out to dart over her lips. Felt his own body quake with want as she put her hands on his chest. Her pelvis was within a millimetre of his. He could feel the magnetic pull of her body drawing him inexorably towards her. His erection swelled, tightened, ached. It was all he could do not to crush her to him and slake the wild lust that threatened to overwhelm him.

                He put his hands over hers and gently but firmly removed them from his chest. ‘You need to pace yourself, querida. We have plenty of time.’

                ‘Three days…or is it two now that today’s over?’

                Luiz ignored the odd little ache below his heart as he selected a bottle of champagne from the minibar. He popped the cork and poured two glasses, handing one to her. ‘It’s two.’