Then Angelo turned toward her and the sensual predator was back gleaming at her from those indigo eyes.
She sucked in a breath at the swift change. “Angelo?”
“Old grief has no place in our present, stellina.”
She would have replied but he was pressing her back to the carpet, his lips applying pressure to hers, while sexual intensity rolled off of him in palpable waves. It was so overwhelming, she was shocked by the gentle way his mouth explored hers.
She could not imagine what kind of training he had gone through to learn this kind of self-control, but it awed her.
So did his sexual expertise. She thought she’d known all there was to know from a man experienced in the art of seduction, but Baron didn’t have a patch on Angelo.
He built her desire with caresses that touched everywhere and lingered nowhere. The fire crackled in the hearth beside them, the wind blew in the scent of the ocean to wash over their heated bodies and every nerve ending she possessed came to life with stunning power. Surge after surge of electric desire rushed through her until she panted and shook with need.
He palmed her breast, his big hand engulfing the swollen flesh. Her nipple, already beaded, now ached with the need for more stimulation. Only, the careful pressure of his hand muted by the layers of her top and bra was not enough. She arched up into his hand anyway, striving to increase the friction.
He rotated his palm. Sensation shot from her nipple straight to the core of her and she pressed upward, moaning.
“I want to touch your skin,” he whispered in an erotic growl.
“Yes.”
He unbuttoned her bodice, one small button at a time. He paused between each one to place a baby kiss on the skin revealed.
“Oh, Angelo…” Her fingers scrabbled in the carpet beneath, vainly trying to find purchase—something to anchor herself to with the storm of emotions raging through.
“This is a very sexy dress, sweetheart.” He spoke against her chest, the hot air from his mouth making her shiver in a response as far removed from being cold as possible.
“Thank you.”
“You may wear it again.”
She laughed at the sheer arrogance of his statement, the sound strangled.
Finally, he peeled the front of her bodice away from her body to reveal her white lace bra that conveniently hooked in the front. Had she worn this particular bra and panty set on purpose? Had she subconsciously hoped he would do exactly what he was doing, which was unlatching the bra with one-handed dexterity she couldn’t hope to emulate?
He took his time peeling back the bra cups, using each movement of the fabric to increase her arousal, while teasing her with what was to come.
Oh, gosh…this man knew exactly how to touch her.
He looked down at her naked torso framed by the white fabric of her dress with blatant male appreciation burning his gaze. “Bellisima, cara.”
“You sound so sexy when you speak Italian,” she said on a sigh. “What are you saying?”
“Most beautiful. And you are that, Tara.”
He hadn’t translated the cara, but even she knew what that meant. Darling. Was she darling to him?
She hoped so because the more time she spent with Angelo Gordon, the more she felt for him.
His fingertip traced circles on her breasts, first one and then the other…back and forth…first left…then right…but never touching the hard nubs that ached for his attention.
“Please, Angelo.”
“What do you want, cara? Tell me.” His voice was thick with passion, the subtle Italian accent coming out.
“I need you to touch me.”
“I am touching you.”
“More. I need more.”
“What more?”
“You know.”
“Perhaps I do, but just to be sure, I want to hear you say it.”
“No.” Suddenly she felt all too vulnerable. He was wringing a response from her that was greater than anything she’d ever known. “Don’t make me say the words.”
He lifted his hand away from her and met her gaze square on. “Why not?”
She had to suck in air before she could speak. “It gives you all the power.”
“No, it does not. Whatever you ask for, I will give. That puts the power directly in your corner.”
“You won’t make me beg?”
A feral grin slashed across his gorgeous face. “Only if you want me to.”
And he was just the man that could make her want such a thing.
“How could you possibly know I want you to?” Even Angelo was no mind reader.
“You won’t ask directly for something. You’ll say words like more and please and make me guess what more it is you want.” His voice was every bit as devastating as his touch—so rich and smooth and full of erotic promise.