He sat up, grasping the sides of the tub and easing his large body up and out, his feet resting on the braided cotton rug. He reached for the towel on the small nearby table and drew it around his waist, ignoring the rivulets of water that ran like glistening tears down his chest.
Catherine found him standing in the middle of the room nearly naked, the water running off him like a mighty god whose ominous presence had just emerged from beneath the dark depths of the sea.
Lucifer.
Gooseflesh raced over her, stinging her flesh, reminding her just how vulnerable she was around him. Unconsciously her fingers moved to her pearls, twisting the strand nervously around her finger.
Lucian kept a penetrating gaze on her. He unhooked the towel at his waist. It dropped to his feet and he casually stepped over it, walking toward Catherine.
His slow advance tickled her flesh with anticipation. It seemed forever since last they had been intimate. And she missed their lovemaking. Missed it desperately.
He stood in front of her, his hand reaching out, his fingers raking through her hair to the back of her head and drawing her near to him. "You have denied yourself and me far too long."
Her condition and limited strength was no match for his imposing size so she hastily relied on words to prevent his intentions. "Will you speak with my fa —"
"Don't, Catherine," he interrupted sharply. "Don't allow your father to come between us. Not now. Not at this moment. There's only you and me. And I'm going to love you, angel. I'm going to love you all night."
He gave her no chance to respond. He took her face in his hands and brought his lips to hers. He kissed her with the intensity of a man denied too long and she responded with the same.
No longer able to deny her own needs she selfishly took what he offered, drinking in his taste as though starved with thirst.
"Damn, but I've missed you," he whispered between heavy breaths.
Again she had no chance to respond, he ravished her mouth.
She let him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He lifted her into his arms, his mouth never leaving hers. He walked to the bed and lowered them both to the sheets sweet with the scent of jasmine.
Reluctantly his mouth left hers. "I want you naked. I'm hungry for you."
She managed a response, suddenly self-conscious of her awkward shape. "Lucian, my body is —"
"Beautiful," he whispered, rushing the dress off her. His hand gently cupped her breast. "You're filling with milk. If only I could taste it now. I'm so hungry for you."
He took her sensitive nipple in his mouth and sucked with a tenderness that sent the shivers through Catherine.
She ran her hand through his hair, holding his head against her as he fed.
He sampled her other breast as well and then moved on, caressing, kissing, and splaying his hand over her extended belly. Her skin felt smooth like warm silk and her womanly scent mixed with the thick scent of jasmine sent his senses spiraling.
His hand ran down along her inner thigh, gently nudging her legs apart, gently cupping her heated crown of silver blond curls, gently inserting his one finger in her wetness.
She moaned his name unable to speak coherently.
Another finger joined his other and her moan took on a throaty tone as it came from deep inside her."
"I need to taste your richness, angel. Tell me you want me to. Tell me to taste you."
His decadent suggestion fueled the passion that surged through her. She was beyond control, beyond caring. "Taste me." She breathed heavily and arched her hips up to him.
His mouth instantly sought the small nub, the center of her desire, and he licked it with infinite slowness while his fingers played skillfully within her.
She cried out helplessly, unable to stand the pleasure.
"Relax, angel," he warned. "I intend to have my fill of you."
And he did, his tongue and fingers bringing her close to climax, then easing back to begin again.
"I can't stand it any longer," she begged him.
"But I haven't had enough of you," he whispered. And he hadn't. He throbbed unmercifully for his own fulfillment, but he ached much worse to taste her until saturated and he could stand it no more.
"Lucian." His name ran from her lips harshly.
"Promise me I can taste you all night and I'll ease your ache," he teased, his thumb having replaced his lips, stroking her swollen nub.
"Whatever you want, Lucian. I'm yours, tonight I'm completely yours," she promised, her need so great she would give him anything at that moment.
"It's dangerous to surrender so completely to the devil. You may lose your soul," he warned seriously.
Her emotions soaring, she answered in a gentle cry, "I surrendered my soul and my love with my virginity."