Page 91 of Ransomed to the World
Annora stifled her laughter at his antics, thrilled to have him near despite the dangers. “Are the rest of the guys safe?”
He gave her a brash, charming smile. “They’re leading Daxion on a merry chase.”
“What?!” she bellowed right in his face. When she went to pull away from him, ready to charge after the guys, he trapped her in his arms.
“Hush.” He rocked her side to side, running his hands up and down her back. “They know what they’re doing. They’re just keeping him busy and away from you. Let them.”
Annora didn’t like it, but it was much too late to do anything about it now. Anything she did would only draw more attention to them. “I don’t like it,” she pouted.
He ran his hands down her hair, kissing her forehead. “It’s a small island. They’ll be here soon.”
She nodded, smoothing her hand against his chest, his nearness calming her. When he went to kiss her again, she automatically lifted her face, and his lips landed on hers.
They both froze.
As their eyes locked, she was afraid to move and scare him off. The taste of him was addicting, the yearning more like a craving, but she forced herself to remain still.
He had to make the next move when he was ready.
When he gently nibbled on her lips, she couldn’t stifle her gasp…and said a silent prayer of thanks. Lust darkened his eyes…along with worry, and she pulled away. “We don’t have to—”
“No, I want to. Gods, do I want to, but…” He clutched her close, squeezing his eyes shut.
“Someone once told me that not all touch is bad. Why don’t we see what you can handle?” She lifted her face up to his, waiting for him to open his beautiful, tormented eyes. When he didn’t, she took it as permission and reached up and trailed her fingers down his neck, immediately lifting her hand when he shivered. “So any touch is too intense?”
Annora leaned down, brushed her lips against the same spot, and felt his breath hitch. She reluctantly pulled back. This time, his eyes were open. Desire swirled in their depths, and she smiled up at him. “So I can’t touch you, but I can kiss you. I can work with that.”
He gulped, then sucked in a sharp breath. “Annora—”
“Wait!” She pulled away from him and held her hands out at her side. “What can you do without causing a reaction?”
He scanned her body, licked his lips, and took an involuntary step toward her. His eyes flashed toward hers, as if seeking permission, and she nodded to him. “This isn’t just for you, it’s for both of us. We need to learn your limits, then once we’re comfortable, we’ll push you for more.”
He edged closer, the heat of him making her skin tingle. He lifted his hand, resting a single finger right below her ear, then dragged it down her neck, his touch tentative, then it was her turn to forget how to breathe. He smiled at her reaction, gaining confidence, and lazily traced her collarbone.
“So you don’t have trouble touching others,” she murmured, her voice husky, and she tipped her head back to give him better access.
He ran the backs of his fingers across the top of her breasts, along the edges of the dress, a single finger dipping below the material to brush over her nipple, and she arched into him.
“How fond are you of this dress?” It took her a moment to process his question, and she barely held back a groan.
Annora concentrated until the darkness swirled up from the material, draping around her until she wore nothing but a see-through black teddy that barely covered her curves. “Is this better?”
His jaw dropped, hunger swirling in his eyes. He couldn’t take his gaze off her. Then he lunged toward her, dipped his head, his mouth latching onto her breast through the flimsy material. She couldn’t stop the groan this time, her knees going weak. She reached for his shoulders, only to have him pull back.
He gave her a naughty smile, his expression more confident. “No touching.”
She immediately shoved her hands behind her back, clenching them together. As she shifted, the wet silk made her breast ache for more, and she wanted a taste of him. “Take off your jacket.”
His eyebrows shot up, but then he flashed her a devilish grin, stepped back, and slowly began to unbuckle his belt. He pulled it through the loop, his movements exaggerated and sensual, his hips moving in a way that made her think of sex.
He watched her reactions as he reached for the top button of his jacket, and she couldn’t take her gaze off him as the first button popped free. He whirled, gave her his back, flipping the coattails up, giving her a perfect view of his ass, and she was torn between smiling and wanting to plaster herself against him.
He straightened abruptly, pulling the jacket over his shoulders, revealing that he was naked underneath. His eyes twinkled, and she couldn’t resist teasing him back. She reached for the hem of her black teddy, running her hands up her thigh, pulling the fabric up with it. She played with the tiny strap on her hip, sliding her finger underneath, and batted her lashes at him, biting her lip.
“Fuck.” The jacket hit the floor between them with a thump, and he turned toward her, lust darkening his face. “You don’t play fair.”
Her smile turned sultry as she gained confidence, and she ran her hand up her stomach, giving him a glimpse of a lot of skin, exposing the underside of her breast, letting her thumb brush against her nipple. “I want your hands on me.”
