smile. One glance at the area rug in front of them filled her mind with images proving they were already past that mile marker. His touch had given her incredible pleasure and she wanted more.
“It’s been a really long night.” Reluctance was clear in his tone. “I should probably get you settled in the guest room so you can rest and—”
“I’d rather stay with you.” She raised her head and looked into his eyes. His pale-blue irises gleamed, revealing emotions as tumultuous as hers. “I know we’re both exhausted, but I don’t want to be alone.”
He placed his hand on her leg. The warm weight felt intimate, yet still respectful. Salvo was a true gentleman, frustratingly so at times. “I would love to have you in my bed, but this is not why I suggested you stay here.”
Their passionate interaction earlier was undeniable proof that their desire was mutual, so why did he still feel the need to protect her? Their position was intimate. His masculine scent teased her senses, yet he still seemed so far away. Rather than letting the situation become awkward, she used humor to sneak by his emotional defenses. “You don’t want to share pleasure with me? How disappointing.”
“That’s not what I said and you know it.”
She let her gaze wander over his lean body before returning to his handsome face. “I’ve been thinking about making love with you for weeks, many weeks.”
With a sexy growl, he pulled her toward him, turning her to face him as he arranged her astride his lap. “I’ve enacted privacy protocols. Make sure this is what you want because we will not be interrupted.”
His stubborn hesitation confused her. He seemed surprised that she wanted him, which didn’t make sense. He was amazing, brilliant, innovative, compassionate and incredibly powerful. He had every quality she’d hoped for in a mate and more. “This is exactly what I want, Salvo,” she stressed. “Do you have doubts?”
“Not about you,” he insisted. “I just...” His words became a frustrated sigh as he stared past her for a moment. Then he framed her face with his hands and pressed his mouth over hers.
She tensed, wanting to understand what was bothering him. But his lips caressed hers, his warm breath gently teasing, and she decided the conversation could wait.
Instinctively closing her eyes, she expected him to deepen the kiss, to stake his claim. She should have known better. The tip of his tongue teased her lips, caressing without venturing inside. He was cruel like that, making her wait until her entire body ached before he gave her what she desperately needed.
His mouth moved over hers, lips sliding, teeth gently nibbling. She moaned, half-frustration, half-pleasure. His tongue finally parted her lips. She encouraged him with a swirling caress and he pushed even deeper. Gradually his taste spread through her mouth fueling the fire his scent had ignited. She clutched his shoulders and rocked her hips, unable to hide how badly she wanted him.
“We should move to the bedroom,” he whispered against her lips, but went right on kissing her.
She opened for the bold thrust of his tongue, responding just as aggressively. His hands ran up and down her back, drifting lower until he squeezed her butt. Emboldened by his obvious need, she pulled up his tunic so she could stroke his bare chest. He tore the garment off over his head, their lips parting for a millisecond.
“Gods woman.” He cupped her breast through her blouse and looked into her eyes. “If we don’t stop, our first joining is going to be right here on this sofa.”
“I don’t care.” She quickly removed her blouse and guided his hand back to her breast. Then she took his face between her hands and kissed him deeply. His taste surrounded her tongue and sent another rush of heat cascading through her body. She arched, groaning helplessly as she teetered on the brink of orgasm. It had been like this before. Her senses began to simmer as soon as his scent reached her nose, but his taste blasted her into a rapid boil. “Why do you... What makes me...”
His mouth captured hers again, scattering her thoughts. Did it really matter why? One of his hands explored her breasts while the other cradled the back of her head. She surrendered to the sensory storm and relaxed into the kiss. She stroked his chest and back, her touch every bit as bold as his.
Suddenly, he tore his mouth away from hers and swept her up