Exposure - Kelly Moran Page 0,78

just over that edge, not ready to plummet. Suspended in air.

I love you.

The warm whisper of his words caressed her. She shivered, liking the way his emphatic voice rang true. Noah didn't throw words around, didn't say things he didn't mean. Her heart beat faster.

She opened her mouth to speak, but he closed his lips over hers. He kissed her with determination and purpose, as if needing her to believe him. Stroking his tongue with hers, he commanded submission, not of her body, but her heart. She gave him all she could.

He broke away to speak against her mouth. "I love you so goddamn much I can't think, I can't breathe unless you're near me. You have me, all of me. Don't give up on us." Tension coiled his muscles when he eased his body down to hers.

All at once, like a blow to the chest, she realized just how scared he must've been back at the gallery tonight. He feared losing her to herself and to the man senselessly after them. She'd been numb with shock until he'd put the restraints on her wrists and the blindfold over her eyes. He'd had to take her sight away for her to see him.

Wanting to touch him, to soothe the worry, she made to slip out of the binding, but his hand pressed down over hers, stopping her attempt.

"Please, Raven." His tone was quiet, desperate. He rested his forehead to hers and sighed.

She forced a swallow. "I'm not giving up on us. I'm here."

He stilled for a moment, as if absorbing her words.

When he shifted, the light dusting of hair on his chest rasped her nipples. Heat flared over her skin. She drew in a breath, biting her lip. With his hands at her sides, he kissed her cheeks, her mouth, then her neck. His tongue traced a path from her shoulder to her collarbone. She shivered. Moaned.

"You like that, baby?" When she nodded, unable to speak, he said, "Where to next?" His fingers inched down to race circles on her breasts, the coarseness of his skin deliciously contrasting hers.

She'd never been so grateful for an outdoorsman who worked with his hands. The artistic side of him seemed to know where to draw the most response.

"My baby likes that." His fingers circled closer to her nipples, but never quite reached where she needed him most. "Would you like me to touch them?"

"Yes," she moaned.

The pads of his thumbs brushed over her erect peaks. His breathing grew as ragged as hers. Without being able to move, to see, every touch was heightened, setting her on fire. She arched, the air trapping in her chest.

He shifted, sliding down her body to kneel between her thighs. So frustratingly good. His fingers moved lower, over her naval and grabbed her hips. Then he paused, and she imagined he was staring at her with that intense expression of hunger. She grew more wet, the slight chill in the room drifting over her drenched folds.

Without warning, he ran his finger over her clit. She cried out, but he was moving down, over her sex, not staying where she ached for him. Lower yet his finger moved, to the tight ring of her puckered hole. He rotated his finger, massaging, but not penetrating. A nervousness she was unaccustomed to feeling charged, sending trembles of need straight to her core. She gasped, pressing down on him. Heat flared.

"Soon, I'll take you right here. Do you want that?" His voice was hoarse, tight. She loved him like this, when he was all consumed with her, with need.

She thought about his question and decided she did want him there, where no man had attempted to take her. He was large, so they'd have to go slow, but Noah would know that. Knew her. Biting her lip, she nodded.

He groaned, palms spreading her thighs wider. "Not tonight, baby. Soon."

Shifting, he eased next to her on the bed and encouraged her to turn on her side away from him. He pulled her back to his front, and the binding around her wrist tightened. Taking stock, she realized it wasn't painful and relaxed.

Nuzzling her hair, he ran his hand up her waist, her arm, to her bound wrists. His erection pressed between her cheeks, rocking into her. She pressed back, the desire for him so high that frustration mounted. As if sensing her need, he splayed his hand over her belly and moved south.

"Yes." She spread her legs.

He positioned his thigh between hers and