After a few minutes, he felt her lips on his skin, where his neck met his shoulder. A shy, tentative kiss at first, and then, after a moment, another, this one open-mouthed. He lay there with his eyes closed enjoying the soft touch of her mouth on his skin. He groaned softly, and murmured, “Mmm, that feels nice, baby.”
Angel rose up on her elbow, and looked down at him.
Cole felt her move, and turned his head to look at her.
They stared at each other in the silvery moonlight.
He slowly rolled to his back.
Her hand reached out hesitantly, and ran up his muscled chest, her fingertips coasting lightly over his skin.
His eyes followed their movement, and then darted to her face. He watched as she slowly leaned over him, lowered her head, and then her mouth was on his.
The kiss was soft and gentle, barely brushing his lips, but it kindled a fire in him like nothing else would have. Her mouth moved to his neck. Soft, tender kisses trailing down to his collar bone. He felt her tongue dip into the hollow at the base of his throat, and desire shot through him. And then her mouth moved down further to his chest. His little wildcat, she was all soft, purring seduction now.
Cole slid his arms up, cupping her face in his hands. Applying gentle pressure, he brought her face back up to his, and his eyes searched hers. He needed to be sure this time. “You don’t have to do this,” he whispered. “It’s not part of the deal, sweetheart.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
She nodded.
“Angel, after everything you’ve been through, I don’t think you’re ready-”
She cut him off. “You don’t want me, then?” she whispered, starting to pull back. Wondering if it was because of what had been done to her. Wondering if any man would ever want her after what she’d been through.
Cole’s hands tangled in her hair, holding her there. “No. You couldn’t be more wrong. I want you, babe.” He glanced down his body at the proof making itself very evident. “There’s no denying that.” His mouth curved into a grin. “It’s just…” he broke off, his eyes studying hers, his hand reaching up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, and then his hand slid back to her cheek as he cradled her face in his hands. “Are you sure this is what you want, Angel?”
She nodded again, leaving him stunned.
He moved one hand to her back, and ran the tips of his fingers lightly down her spine, watching her reaction to his touch. Was she sure she could handle it?
She slowly arched her back as his hand moved over her, and her eyes slid closed.
“Then say it,” he whispered.
Her eyes opened, and she looked down at him.
“I want to hear you say it,” he insisted softly. “You asked me to stop last night,” he reminded her. “And I did. But I don’t think I’ve got it in me to stop this time. So be sure.”
“I want this. I want you.” Her hands ran over his hard muscled arms.
He rolled her over onto her back, moving over her. Bracing himself on his elbows above her, he looked down at her, letting her become accustomed to his weight on top of her. He knew after what she’d been through, that having a man on top of her might bring back all the feelings of fear again. He brushed her hair back from her face, and his mouth covered hers.
He was gentle with her. She hadn’t expected that. For a moment everything Chuck had done to her flashed in her mind, and she tensed, her hand gripping his wrist. She made a whimper under his mouth.
Cole raised up a fraction of an inch, and looked into her eyes. “Shh,” he whispered, brushing her lips with the barest of kisses. “Just relax for me, sweetheart,” he whispered softly, seductively. He trailed kisses across her jaw to her ear. “Relax. I’ll be gentle, baby. I swear.” He spoke to her softly, coaxingly. “I’m gonna make it all better. Just relax for me, Angel.”
She gave in, melting against him, letting his hands have their way.
“That’s it. That’s right.” His hand slid from her jaw down her throat to her breastbone.
His palm was warm pressed against her. She watched his face as his eyes followed the trail of his hand as it moved down the center of her body to her soft belly.