Page 23 of London
He frowned and pursed his lips as he pondered the issue. Grinning once more, he smiled down at the cat.
“You have a housekeeper. Couldn’t she take care of him? We won’t be gone any more than two or three days. Or don’t you want to come with me?”
She sighed deeply. “It’s not that.” Under his steady gaze, she weakened. “I’m not an impulsive person. I usually plan everything down to the last detail. This whole thing is new to me,” she gestured wildly indicating the two of them. “I’m out of my comfort zone. I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve never invited a man over after knowing him for less than a day. I’ve never—”
He placed a finger softly against her lips.
“Shh… Take a breath. I understand and fully appreciate what you’re going through. It’s a privilege to be here with you tonight, to enjoy the fine meal you prepared, and bask in your company. While you may find it hard to believe, this hasn’t happened to me before either.” He moistened his lower lip. “The moment I saw you, I knew you were special. I know it sounds like a line, but it’s true. You’re incredibly important to me.”
He took her hand and placed it over his heart. Each one of his heartbeats echoed hers. The room was dark except for the flickering light and shadow coming from the television screen and dancing across his face. One moment, they emphasized his eyes, deep and intense. The next, the light fell over his lips, sensual and alluring, capable of giving the most skillful kisses. When he leaned toward her, her body trembled with desire.
Electrifying shivers filled her from head to toe the second his lips touched hers. As the kiss deepened, passion flared.
Gerard drew her tightly against him, running his hands over her bare back. She was lost in his touch and the way it stirred her senses. He brushed his lips over the sensitive skin of her neck, burning away the last of her doubts, her protests turned to imaginary ashes. She wanted this man with every particle of her being. His actions proved he shared that need.
Slowly, Gerard pulled away from her and stood, drew her to her feet. They both stayed that way a moment, toe to toe, bodies press together, a two-headed silhouette in the semi-darkness. His gaze found hers, asked the unspoken question, and she nodded.
He picked her up and cradled her in his arms. “Where’s the bedroom?” he whispered, his lips almost touching hers.
“Upstairs.”
Her heart raced madly as he quickly ascended to the second floor, lost to the silence and darkness.
Moonlight streamed through the open windows bringing with it the scent of roses in bloom in the garden below.
Gerard set her down on her feet, his lips finding hers once more as he deepened the kiss, his large palms exploring her naked back. He found the button at the nape of her neck that fastened the strap holding her dress in place. With surprising dexterity, he undid it. The shimmering fabric glided to the floor with a sensuous rustle.
They remained face to face. She, in only her panties, he, still fully dressed—an erotic tableau in the moonlight.
Gerard pulled back the quilt and lowered her tenderly onto the bed, then without taking his gaze from hers, he began undressing. Each inch of his exposed naked, gorgeous body exuded pure masculinity. Linda’s skin burned with desire and lust. The artist in her studied his strong arms, the networks of veins subtly outlined, and his magnificent chest dusted with soft, golden hair. Her gaze traveled down to his flat abdomen, and then lower, lower.
She swallowed. For a second, caught in the maelstrom of emotions, a vestige of her earlier insecurity and fear of what was to come filled her with doubt. When his fingers closed on the edge of the lace covering her sex, all her concerns turned to dust. She could only feel.
Thriving on the sensation of his weight on her, she absorbed his warmth. He raised his torso above her, using his thumb to trace her lips before bending his head to capture them once more. His tongue explored her mouth, his teeth scraping her lower lip playfully.
Just when the intensity of his kisses and the sensation of his naked body over hers made her head spin, he stopped. Inching his body down hers, his mouth slid over her fevered flesh. He kissed her breasts, caressing them softly until her nipples tightened, begging for more. She arched her back, her breathing choppy, but he didn’t stop the sweet torture.
His hands and lips continued down her body, over her torso, down to her navel, which he kissed ardently, making her gasp. When his mouth continued its downward journey, she was too stunned to protest. She couldn’t have anyway. His strong hands gripped her hips as his lips sought the hottest, most sensitive part of her body.
She moaned, clutching handfuls of the sheets, hair, whatever she could grab, drowning in wave after wave of pleasure. There was nothing to do but surrender to the delicious agony. She was weightless, her body on fire. Under the skilled assault of his mouth, her body tensed, and she cried out his name as an explosive release claimed her. Abandoning all pretense, she let go.
Moments later, still panting, her body trembling with the aftershocks of her orgasm, Gerard stretched out beside her giving her the time she needed. He stroked her cheek gently. She slowly turned her head to look at him, dazed. The tender expression in his eyes tugged at her heart.
He smiled, still cupping her cheek, as he bent to kiss her softly. When he turned her body toward his, his hardness pressed against her. Waves of desire rippled through her once more.
“Touch me,” he whispered.
Timidly, she placed a hand on his muscled chest, curiosity as much as lust making her explore farther. Finding one taut nipple, she stroked it with the tip of one finger. His gasp encouraged her. Running her palm over his abdomen, she felt his muscles tense. She hesitated a fraction of a second before sliding her hand lower, his stomach muscles fluttering beneath her fingertips. When she touched him, he tightened his grip on her hip.
He was perfect—hard, smooth, hot. Her hand grew bolder. Her breathing quickened keeping pace with his. She enfolded him in her hand, squeezing, massaging, until a low groan vibrated in his chest.
He turned her onto her back once more and covered her body with his, kissing her hungrily. His tongue dove deep into her mouth, as he eased himself into her. She was entranced by the delicious, stretching pressure of him inside her. Then, the dance began, him plunging into her as she raised her hips to meet his movements. Immense pleasure filled her.
Thrust after thrust pulled her along on a sea of sensation unlike anything she’d ever experienced. He pushed high and hard, driven by the raw, untamed desire felt by every man since the dawn of time, until they were seized by a shattering orgasm. Through the roar in her ears, Linda heard him call her name hoarsely. Then, unable to do anything but feel, she closed her eyes and let the sensual vortex swallow her.
Chapter Seven
Gerard slowly surfaced from a deep sleep, his senses fully alert. A light feminine perfume tickled his nose. He caressed the silk sheets beneath him, reaching out to the place beside him, finding it empty. Had he imagined last night?
