He reads the hunger in my voice, in my eyes. His hand moves to cup my face, thumb tracing my lower lip. "Melinda, you're seven months?—"
"I know what I am." I lean into his touch, suddenly desperate to feel alive after coming so close to death. "I need you. Please."
His control snaps. Vincent's mouth crashes against mine, all heat and desperate need. I taste bourbon and violence on his tongue, the flavor of a man who just fought his own father to protect me.
But then he pulls back, eyes dark as midnight, studying my face like he's memorizing every detail. "Do you have any idea what you do to me?" he murmurs, thumb tracing my swollen lower lip. "Sitting there, analyzing threats while carrying my child, looking like a fucking goddess of war."
"Vincent—"
"Shh." His finger presses against my lips. "I've been thinking about this all night. About how I wanted to drag you out of that restaurant and show everyone exactly who you belong to."
His hands frame my face, tilting it up to meet his gaze. "Tell me you want this. Tell me you need me as much as I need you."
"I need you," I breathe. "God, Vincent, I've never needed anything more."
"Good. Because I'm going to worship every inch of this perfect body until you forget everything except my name."
He kisses me again, slower this time, his tongue sliding against mine with deliberate sensuality. His hands roam my body with reverent hunger, sliding under my silk blouse to cup my breasts. They're fuller now, sensitive from pregnancy, and I gasp when his thumbs brush over my nipples through the lace.
"Fuck, you're so beautiful," he growls against my throat, teeth grazing the sensitive skin. "Even like this, especially like this. Carrying my baby. Do you know how hard it makes me, seeing you pregnant with my child?"
I arch into his touch, shameless in my need. "Show me."
He chuckles darkly. "Not yet, sweetheart. First, I'm going to make you fall apart for me."
His mouth moves to my collarbone, tongue tracing patterns that make me shiver. "I love how responsive you are," he murmurs against my skin. "How you get that little catch in your breath when I touch you right... here."
His fingers find that spot where my neck meets my shoulder, the one that makes me melt every time. I can't suppress the soft moan that escapes.
"That's my girl," he praises, voice rough with desire. "I want to hear every sound you make. Every whimper, every gasp, every scream of pleasure."
I fumble with his belt, needing to touch him, but he catches my hands.
"No, sweetheart. Let me take care of you." His voice is rough with restraint. "I want to fuck you so goddamn hard right now, but I won't risk our daughter."
"Then touch me," I plead, hips shifting restlessly. "Please, Vincent. I'm going crazy."
"I know, baby. I can see it in your eyes." His hand slides up my thigh with agonizing slowness, pushing my skirt higher inch by inch. "You're burning for me, aren't you? That sweet pussy's probably dripping wet already."
"Yes," I admit breathlessly, beyond caring how desperate I sound.
"Let me see." His fingers trace the edge of my panties, barely touching. "Tell me what you want."
"I want your hands on me. Your fingers inside me. I want—" I break off with a gasp as he strokes me through the silk.
"Christ, you're soaked," he murmurs, applying just enough pressure to make me crazy. "Is this from the danger? From watching me fight?"
"Yes," I admit breathlessly. "Seeing you protect me, protect us—it turned me on. The way you moved, the way you handled that gun..." I bite my lip. "It was the sexiest thing I've ever seen."
His eyes flame with possessive satisfaction. "My violent little doctor. Getting wet watching her man eliminate threats." He increases the pressure, circling slowly. "I could feel you watching me. Could see the heat in your eyes when I put Marco down."
"Vincent, please?—"
"Please what?" He's relentless, stroking me through increasingly damp silk. "Use your words, Melinda. Tell me exactly what you need."
"I need you to touch me. Stop teasing."
"But I love watching you squirm." His smile is sensual, powerful. "The way your cheeks flush, how your breathing gets shallow. The way you press against my hand like you can't help yourself."