Taming McGruff(38)

“That’s so sweet.” She turned to him, still feet away. “Don’t you want me?”

He groaned. “Yes, I want you.” So much and so badly it hurts. But he couldn’t tell her that, couldn’t frighten her any more than she already was.

“Oh,” she said, “that’s good to know.”

His chuckle came out raw. “Was there a doubt?”

“Just checking.” Her voice grew nearer as she inched closer. “I’m new at this.”

Griff couldn’t stop his grin; that was an understatement. “Explore, if you want.” How much could he take, though? “But, be warned, there will be a point when you’ll either have to stop altogether or go on. I’m not a machine.”

“I never thought you were,” she whispered, scooting toward him. “I’ll be gentle.”

Her giggle and warm breath brushed over his flesh. He bit down on another groan.

Priscilla moved closer still. “May I?” She didn’t wait for him to answer, but just rested her head against his chest. Her sigh echoed through him. Her soft hair tickled. “Heaven,” she whispered in the dark, and then tentatively ran her hand along his side and over his middle, resting her hand there.

He sucked in a sharp breath. Maybe this was the wrong decision. He clamped down on his growing desire, keeping it in check for her sake.

“You can put your arm around me,” she offered, snuggling close, her body curving into his.

With great care, Griff shifted, holding her to his side. He swallowed. Her soft skin and silky nightie made him moan.

“Like that?” she asked, turning her head to gaze up at him.

He murmured, unable to say a word; his tamped-down desire would surely scare her if he unleashed it now.

Priscilla leaned down, placing a tender kiss on his chest, and then, moving slightly, placed another on his skin, and another… She continued. Her soft lips trailed a hot path of flames. Easing upward, she kissed his chin, and then cheek, all the while unaware she was nearly on top of him. Her sexy curves pressed into his torso. “May I kiss you?”

“You mean you haven’t been?”

“Your lips.” Before he could answer, she brushed hers against his, and then dipped her tongue along his lips, slicing them open to join him in a hot, sensual kiss.

He gripped her to him, sliding his other hand through her soft hair, down her back, and cupped her perfect round bottom. This time, she groaned.

When she broke the embrace, he let her. “Can I explore more?”

Nodding, he gave her permission. He lay back, allowing her full access.

But she stretched out, trying to feather kisses along his other side.

“Here, like this.” He guided her, lifting her by the waist and settling her down on top of him, sitting astride his bare upper thighs. He pulsated against the silky nightie she still wore.

Her sharp gasp pierced the air. “Griff!”

“Explore, Pixie,” he invited.

It didn’t take her very long to recover from her shock; she trailed her hands over his chest and down his middle and over his abdomen. Flames licked everywhere she touched. Bolder now, she followed with her lips, knowingly stroking him with the silk fabric along the length of him. “You’re so beautiful,” she whispered, planting kisses along his jagged scar.

His breath caught. No one had wanted to see the ugly wound, never mind kiss it. Something in his chest splintered. No, he couldn’t let her come in and just decimate his well-protected fortress. Too late, his mind jeered.

He let her continue until she’d had her fill. She sat up now. “What do I do next?”

A bolt of desire lanced through him. Sitting up, he faced her; he trailed his hands over her tiny waist and gripped her hips, settling her against his hardness. Only a thin piece of silk separated them. Her soft gasp feathered over his lips.

“There’s a difference between making love with someone or to someone.”

“What’s that?”

“Give and take. Now it’s time for you to receive.”

Priscilla shivered in his arms.

He trailed kisses over her jaw, down her neck, and then over her shoulder. Griff eased the thin strap off her. It dropped away, revealing the upper curve of her breast. “Arch your head back,” he suggested. When she did, he feathered kisses along her skin and along the plumpness of her cleavage, licking the flesh there.

Her shallow breaths spurred him on. Griff repeated his actions with the other strap. When it slid down her arm, the silky fabric fell, caught only by her taut nipples. Through the material, he traced the outline with his thumb.

Priscilla gasped, her body jerking. He pulsed between her legs and she sucked in a sharp breath. “Again,” she whispered. Her soft command made his body respond, thumping against the junction. She squeezed her legs, attempting to tuck the length of him closer.