well she fit his body, her height aligning her mouth just below his, her belly to his groin, her slender thighs bumping his thicker, more muscular legs.
They had traveled enough distance from the house that no one could possibly see them. He stared at her mouth, and could almost taste her.
Her hand flattened on his chest just over his heart. “Not so fast, Romeo. What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Involved?”
“No.” And with more vehemence, “Hell no. Not married, not engaged, and definitely not looking to be either.”
Seconds ticked by while she stared at him, and Axel prayed she’d come to an agreeable conclusion.
Finally, on a long sigh, she said, “I think I have to kiss you. I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t.”
Something tightened inside him—anticipation. Something loosened at the same time—relief.
He tilted up her chin. “We can’t have you berating yourself later, now can we?” His mouth curled in a smile of welcome. She wanted to kiss him? Then by all means, he’d make it easy on her. “Make it any kind of kiss you want. Just make it soon, before I forget my manners and take charge.”
She snorted. “I doubt you have any manners, but with an invitation like that…” Still holding the box of matches, she braced her hands on his shoulders and leaned in. Her nose touched his, playfully nuzzled him while her warm breath teased his mouth and her breasts just barely skimmed his chest.
And then her lips were on him, scalding hot, damp, so sweet that he actually groaned out loud.
She eased back with a smile. “What was that?”
Axel caught her waist—a damn narrow waist—and brought her back in close again. His breath was labored, his boner now full-fledged and throbbing. “Lust, darlin’. Pure, unadulterated lust.” His voice dropped to a husky growl, and he ordered, “Now kiss me again.”
Two
Instead of obeying, her fingers covered his mouth. “I don’t know,” she fretted. “This feels very dangerous.”
“So live dangerously.” Axel nipped the tip of her finger, sucked it into the warmth of his mouth, and her lips parted on a whispered, “Oh.”
Satisfaction roared through him. He licked the center of her palm and rumbled, “Better yet, I’ll kiss you.” He didn’t give her time to think about it or to deny him. He took her mouth with the verve of a sexually starved man, when in fact he never stayed celibate for more than a week. But somehow, this felt different. Hotter, more exciting.
He had to have her. No other option would do.
Her lips parted to the prod of his tongue and he sank in, tasting her deeply, slanting his head and bending her back so she’d feel his power, his greed. This time she groaned. The box of matches hit the ground with a quiet rustle and her nails sank into his shoulders, giving him a quick thrill that burned down to the core of his masculine being.
Usually, he calculated his every move, timing himself for the best reaction, aware of the woman’s every response and countering it in a way to ensure success. This time, he acted solely on instinct and his own escalating need. Before he had time to consider it, his hand was over her breast, carefully because she felt so small and delicate, so completely female. She might have gasped, but with his tongue in her mouth, their breath soughing together, it was hard to tell.
With his free arm around her back, he arched her into his body, holding her snug, pressing his dick into the soft seam of her thighs. Oh yeah, that felt good, too good.
She pulled her mouth free, dropping her head back on a shuddering moan.
Axel looked at her, the moonlight playing over her face, her lashes sending long feathery shadows over her cheeks. She looked young and aroused and ripe.
He stared down at the sight of his dark hand covering her chest over the white shirt. Her heartbeat galloped and heat poured off, filling his nose with feminine spice.
He bent his head to her throat, deliberately sucking her skin in against his teeth to mark her while plucking her buttons open, one by one, all the way to the waistband of her black slacks.
Both her hands sank into his hair. “This is insane,” she all but wailed—but she didn’t shove him away.
With her shirt gaping open, Axel slipped his hand inside, under her bra, and cupped silky bare flesh.
Their gazes met and held.
Her stiff little nipple prodded his palm.
Keeping her eyes locked with his, Axel pushed the material aside, easing her shirt over her shoulder and down her arm, tugging the lacy bra low. He captured her nipple between fingers and thumb, and tugged.
A near silent moan shuddered past her parted lips and her lashes fluttered.
Neither of them said a word. The fountain gurgled, music floated on the air from the live band at the party, leaves rustled and crickets chirped. All Axel could hear was the rushing of blood in his ears and his own resounding heartbeat.
His attention dipped to her breast. Beautiful. Small, but round and firm, and her nipple looked darkly flushed in the dim light. Her pale flesh made a striking contrast to her inky black hair. He pictured her white thighs open, the black curls between, and wanted her now, right here in the gardens.
His arm around her waist pressed her upward an inch, and he bent to suck her nipple into his mouth.
“Oh God.” She half laughed, half groaned, then whispered in amazement, “What am I doing?”
“We’re having fun.” He insinuated his leg between hers, immobilizing her. “And we’ve only just started.”
“But—”
He sucked her nipple again, effectively cutting off her breath and ending whatever protestations she might have made. And while she was quiet…He smoothed his hand down her ribs, over the slight, delectable roundness of her belly, and pressed it between her legs.
She jumped in surprise. “Oh wow.”
Axel could feel the heat of her through her slacks. “Why couldn’t you be wearing a skirt?” he complained. He lifted his head and smiled at her while gently stroking, petting. His voice dark and low, he teased, “I’d much rather be touching you instead of stiff cotton.”
She hung in his grasp, panting, flushed and ready, and then she whispered, “They unzip.”
His knees nearly gave out. If ever permission had been granted, that was it. Scooping her up, Axel took three steps to a marble bench, stopping in front of it and standing her back on her feet. When she swayed, he caught her, steadying her then seating himself in front of her.
“Let’s take care of the rest of these buttons first.” In rapid order he pulled her shirt free of her pants, opened the last button, and dropped the shirt to the ground. One side of her bra was down, showing her breast. He expertly opened
