The Ultimate Playboy(34)

                She sucked in a slow breath and looked away.

                He caught her chin in his hand and forced her to look at him, his steady gaze demanding an answer. ‘Dio, you really don’t remember?’

                Ruby had no choice but to come clean. ‘No. sometimes I...sleepwalk.’

                His brows hit his hairline. ‘You sleepwalk? How often is sometimes?’

                ‘Not for a while, to my knowledge. It only happens when I’m...distressed.’

                His frown intensified. ‘You found last night distressing?’

                ‘Being tied up and kept prisoner? No, that was a picnic in the park.’ She tugged at her ankle restraint. ‘And now I’m tied up again.’

                ‘It was for your own good. After I put the restraint on, you stopped making a run for it. I think secretly you liked it.’ His fingers caressed along her jaw, his eyes lowering to her lips.

                Instantly the mood changed, thickened with sensual promise. ‘I’m not into bondage.’ Or sex with playboys, or anyone for that matter!

                ‘How do you know? Have you ever tried it?’

                ‘No. But I’ve never jumped off a cliff either, and I’m certain I wouldn’t enjoy that experience.’

                ‘Fair point. For the record, I have. With the right equipment, all experiences can be extremely enjoyable. Exhilarating even.’

                She watched, terrified and mesmerised, as his head started to lower. ‘What are you doing?’

                ‘I’m kissing you bon giornu, bedda. Relax.’

                That was easier said than done when every nerve in her body was strained in anticipation of the touch of his mouth on hers. She told herself she was sluggish because she was sleep deprived. But it was a lie.

                As much as she yearned to deny it, she wanted the pressure of his demanding kiss and the heady racing of her blood through her veins.

                His moan as he deepened the kiss echoed the piercing need inside her.

                One hand clamped on her hip, drew her sideways into him. At the sensation of his sleep-warmed body against hers, she moaned. The fact that she was clothed from neck to hip and he was clothed from hip to ankle didn’t alter the stormy sensation of their bodies meshing together.

                Nipples, stung to life at the touch of his mouth on hers, peaked and ached as they brushed his chest.

                When his hand moved under the T-shirt and skimmed over her panties, Ruby jerked at the vicious punch of desire that threatened to flatten her.

                She was drowning. And she didn’t want to be rescued.

                ‘Dio mio, you’re addictive, bedda,’ he murmured against her mouth before plunging back in. His tongue shot between her lips to slide against hers. He staked his claim on her until she couldn’t think straight. Even when his mouth left hers to nibble along her jaw, she strained closer, her hand sliding up his chest in a bold caress that shocked and thrilled her at the same time.

                When her nail grazed his nipple, he hissed. Stunned at the surge of power that action gave her, she flicked her nail again.

                ‘Careful, amante, or I might have to repay the kindness.’