Page 50 of Betrayal

“I like it.”He bent and put his mouth to it.“I like that we’re doing this now that we know each other better.”

“No slam, bam, thank you ma’am tonight?”Her stomach dropped.Nerves?But he’d raised the stakes, made himself vulnerable in a confession she hadn’t asked for.

“We’re going to be intimate, Anna.And that scares the bejesus out of both of us.”He understood so much.

“You say the nicest things, Sam-I-am.We’re in it together.”Desire soared as a deeper tension slipped from her body.

“Let’s do a few things together.Mmm.”He cupped her face.“Kiss me, sweetheart.”

“I believe I will.”

He was smiling, filling his kiss with warmth and laughter.The jagged edge of passion pooled liquid in her lower body.A brush of lips before his tongue teased at the corner of her mouth.Her moan.His tongue slipping between her teeth to stroke and excite.She clung to him, lost in the magic of his taste.Anna had waited a lifetime for a kiss like this.One kiss eased into another, deeper, needier, straining to get closer.She forgot where she was, who she was, but not for a second who she was with.

“Anna?”

“Don’t stop.”

“An intermission.I want space, so we can take our time.”

“Don’t take too long.”Reluctantly, she drew back just enough to focus on him.“And stop grinning.”

“I’m happy.”He sounded surprised, as if happiness eclipsed arousal.

“Me too.”

“Unless you have an objection, I’m taking you to bed.”

“Is that a euphemism?”Anna stroked the top of his ear.“Because I thought we’d already agreed you’re not getting out of here until I’ve had my way with you.”

“Bed,” was all he said before lifting her into his arms, followed by, “Queen size.I spotted it in the other room.Soft mattress, warm covers, lots of room.”

“That works.”With one arm wrapped loosely around his neck, she squeezed his biceps.“I don’t usually fall for big, strong, silent types.”

“I don’t usually play with soft-hearted sirens.”He nudged the bedroom door open with his hip, then slid her to her feet, keeping her close.“I’m making an exception for you.”Stroking two fingers over the gusset of her knickers, he flashed a wicked smile.“Damp.Let me help you take these off.”

“Please.”

Crouching in front of her, his nose was at groin level.“You smell of Anna.”

He pressed against her, his hands on her butt.Slowly, he pulled the knickers down, lingering when they hit the tops of her thighs.He caught the front elastic between his teeth and tugged them low enough to glide his tongue down the crease in her lips.

Anna moaned at the touch, her knees sagging.With an edge of desperation, she tangled her fingers in his hair.“My turn.It must be my turn.”Waiting was stretching the tension unbearably.

But he didn’t acquiesce.Instead, he dragged the knickers to her ankles, and said, “Right foot.”

Obediently, she lifted her foot.

“Left foot.”He stood with his trophy in one hand.“Your turn.”

Anna wasted no time.She was wet and wanting.Gripping the elastic on his boxer briefs, she dragged them down.“Atta boy.”She planted a quick kiss on his glans, then tugged the boxers to his feet.“Take a step back.”She pressed lightly against his chest, dropping him onto the mattress before straddling his lap.“Time to pounce, Hunter.”

“If you insist.”He fell backward, taking her with him, manoeuvring his way to the middle of the bed.“This might be the last time I can speak coherently for some time, so I’ll just say you’re gorgeous.”

She laughed.“What about,move,roll over,more?”

“Starting now.”He lunged up to take her mouth, his hands quicksilver, streaking fever everywhere they touched, and he touched every inch of her.A caress, a fondle, a brush of a single finger—lightly, then more urgently.Anna rose onto her knees, then lowered herself onto him.Holding his gaze, she watched pleasure shift his features, watched the control etched around his mouth—he was pacing himself to her needs.

A race they both wanted to finish, and neither wanted to end.Heat and damp and heady scents.An intensity that rattled her soul.Her body was separate, floating on an ocean of sensation, rising, reaching for her peak.

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