"Do you want me as badly as I want you, angel?" His voice was rough with constrained desire.
Speech locked in her throat. Dare she trust him? Dare she give herself to him"
"Answer me. Answer me now or I'll prove that your want equals mine."
Still her voice wouldn't oblige her. Or was it that she wanted the choice taken from her?
Lucian growled like a hungry animal. "No more chances."
He lowered his head and lifted Catherine's chin. Their lips met and touched briefly. He moaned. "You taste like paradise, angel."
He stroked her lips with his, aching to introduce her to all the pleasures she had spoken of so knowledgeably but never experienced.
His tongue slowly swept the thin line that prevented entrance to the sweet heaven he longed to explore.
He groaned against her mouth. "Let me in, angel, I want you to taste paradise."
Her lips separated reluctantly, uncertain of her decision, and before she could change her mind Lucian slipped with skill inside.
The thrill of her taste, warm and wet, fired his passion. He circled her waist and drew her closer, both still clinging to the handful of pearls.
Her tongue touched his shyly and retreated. He chased after her easing her to mate with him and share the thrill of their union . Gently he sparred with her until she relaxed and enjoyed his intimate invasion.
Lucian had kissed scores of women, but none — none — had compared to the magic he experienced with Catherine. It was almost as though when he kissed her she reached down into the very depths of his lost soul and freed him to love.
He tore his mouth away from hers. "Damn, angel, but I can't get enough of you. I want to taste every delicious inch of you. Tell me you want me to taste you. Tell me," he urged, biting with a soft hunger at her bottom lip.
She drifted lost, unaware of reality, only knowing she needed Lucian. Her eyes fluttered, she attempted to focus on his face and tell him that tonight — she belonged to him and him alone.
Concerned with her hesitation, he captured her lips and kissed her breathless. He didn't want her to doubt for a second that he made love to her this night out of desire and not revenge.
He kissed her cheek, her chin, her mouth.
"Lucian," she whispered barely able to speak.
"I need an answer, angel. Give me an answer or I'll let you go."
Catherine tensed against the thought. He gave her a choice. The decision was hers. Her voice caught in her throat. Speech seemed impossible. She delivered her answer the only way possible. She released the pearls clutched in her hand.
Lucian felt her fingers spread and he swept his hand away. He kept his eyes on hers and her eyes were fixed on him, and together they listened to the pearls bounce and scatter around them.
He had heard of broken hearts and had frowned at the absurdity of the expression, but at this moment his heart ached with such love that he thought surely it would tear in two. Her actions had demonstrated so much more than words could have ever said.
He stood, his hands around her waist, bringing her to her feet with him and then swiftly scooped her up into his arms. "You won't be sorry, angel."
"Promise me," she murmured.
"You have my word."
She smiled and kissed his lips like a young pupil intent on impressing her tutor. "I'll see that you keep it, Captain Lucifer."
"And I'll see that you cry with pleasure — numerous times tonight."
She hugged his neck and rubbed her cheek to his. "What are you waiting for?"
He answered with a kiss that left her hungry for more as he lowered her to the bed. He sat beside her, her hand reaching for him to join her.
He locked her hand in his, bringing her fingers to his mouth to nibble on. "Not yet. The night is young and you have much to learn."
Shivers raced over her from the thought. Bonnie had given explicit lessons, now Lucian would personally instruct.
"First," he said, releasing her hand and easing his own hand down over her flat tummy, slipping lower to stroke faintly between her legs, moving across her thigh and down her leg to slide ever so slowly beneath her shift. "We must rid you of this intrusive garment."
Shyness assaulted Catherine. She had stood naked often enough in front of him, but always with her pearls on. Now when he rid her of her night shift she would lay completely naked before him. The thought sent a fearful shudder through her.
Lucian kept his hand where it rested, beneath her shift on the side of her thigh just above her knee. Her skin was petal soft and warm as though kissed by the morning sun. He ached to peel the shift from her and touch all of her, every last blessed inch. But he didn't want hesitation from her. He didn't want her to doubt.
"Catherine," he said softly but firmly. "Do you fear me?"