between her breasts, slid his caress to her ribs. His soft, warm mouth followed the sensitive trail his hands created, making her feel worshiped, treasured. He taunted and tantalized with delicate strokes and nibbles, down her body, then back up again, but didn't touch her breasts. The more he dallied, the more her nipples tightened, ached for his touch.
"Touch me," she murmured.
He blew softly against her throat, provoking another delightful shiver. "I am touching you."
"Not like that."
He propped on one elbow to gaze at her and circled his fingertip around the upper curves of her breasts. "Like this?"
"Yes, but more."
His fingertip drew a series of light circles on her bra, closer to her tingling nipples, but not making contact. "Better?"
She groaned in frustration. "I thought you knew how to do this."
He chuckled. "What? Aren't you having a good time?"
"Yes. No. This is torturous. I want … more."
"You want more torture? I'm happy to oblige."
"I meant—"
He grinned. "I know what you want, sweetheart." His warm hands cupped her breasts, gently cradling her in his palms. "And I'm gonna do my best to give it to you."
She arched into his caress. "Well, hurry up," she panted.
He burst into laughter. "Damn, you're bossy in bed." His fingertips grazed her bra. He rolled her aching nipples between his thumb and forefinger, teasing them through the lace. Electric shock waves zinged right to her center. A startled gasp burst from her lips.
"Some things are better if they're not rushed." His hands skated down her spine, and the zipper on her skirt parted with a soft hiss. He slid her skirt and slip off her legs. His low whistle echoed through the room. "I'll be a—" He arched his eyebrows. "I knew you liked fancy skivvies, but these…" His fingers traced the lace edge of her black thigh-high stockings, skimming over her bare thighs. "Are incredible."
The sensual brush of his callused fingertips made her pulse race. His touch felt so perfect, so right, as if she'd been made only for him. "Panty hose are uncomfortable. I don't like them."
"I gotta agree with you, these sexy stockings are a definite improvement." He nipped the sensitive skin above the tops of her stockings, sending liquid heat streaming through her veins. Trailing butterfly kisses down her legs, he unrolled the filmy nylons one by one. Then he nibbled a languid journey back up to her stomach, his hot breath and tender lips melting her into languid softness, as sweet and warm as the marshmallows she'd toasted.
He stopped to bestow loving attention to her navel before claiming her mouth again. He kissed her thirstily, tenderly, as if she were his most precious possession and he couldn't get enough. Reveling in the feeling, she clung to his broad shoulders, never wanting to let him go. His hands traveled to her back, and her bra slipped from between them. Springy hair and hard, smooth muscle abraded her nipples, the delicious heat wringing another moan from her.
His fingers dipped inside the waistband of her panties, and he slid them off. He studied her intently, his smoky gaze flowing over her body, his intimate perusal scorching her skin as if he'd touched her. Self-conscious under his close scrutiny, she jerked her hands up to cover herself.
"Don't. You don't have to be shy with me." He tugged her hands away, kissing her upturned palms. "You're so beautiful."
"I'm not."
Tucking a finger under her chin, he tipped her face up and held her gaze. "Yes, you are."
"My eyes are a funny color."
He kissed her eyelids. "Those wide, honeyed eyes speak to me without a word."
"My nose turns up at the end."
He kissed her nose. "That pert little nose is extremely cute."
"My mouth is too wide."
He kissed her mouth. "Your lips are as lush and tempting as sweet, sun-warmed peaches."
She licked her lower lip, tasting him there. "I'm fat."
His gaze dropped to her bare breasts, and he reverently cupped them in his hands. "Your body is silky-soft and round in all the right places. Perfect. You're a beautiful woman, Tessie. You're also intelligent, brave, generous and compassionate. Any man would feel lucky to have you by his side." He raised his gaze to hers. The tender longing in his eyes held her spellbound.
Then something amazing happened. She saw herself through his eyes, and the awkward, ugly specter that had haunted her since adolescence vanished as completely as fog burned away by sunlight. Scalding tears prickled her eyelids. "Thank you," she whispered.