True-Blue Cowboy - Vicki Lewis Thompson Page 0,58
thighs as she climbed the stairs. The minute she’d arrived home, she’d raced up to her bedroom, stripped off her clothes and put it on. When the nightgown had slid over her breasts, her nipples had puckered in anticipation. Nick would love this.
She’d been right. His stunned expression when she’d appeared had heightened her arousal by several degrees. And ramped up Nick’s. By now she could read him like a book. The tense set of his jaw and the clench of his fists told her he was struggling to maintain his gentlemanly poise.
He mounted the stairs behind her, his breathing ragged, his steps purposeful. She didn’t need to glance over her shoulder to confirm that his hot gaze was pinned to the sway of her hips and the nearly transparent nightgown shifting over the swell of her backside.
When had she ever had this much fun in a sexual relationship? Never. Her reaction to Nick’s physicality bordered on shocking. Last night in the claw-foot tub she’d explored him from head to toe, fascinated with every inch of his magnificent body.
She planned to revisit all her favorite spots again tonight, but she’d have to wait until he was sated and relaxed. He was neither of those things as he followed her up the stairs.
She led him into her candlelit bower—fresh sheets on the bed, covers turned back, pillows plumped. Flickering flames in glass votives on the windowsill and the dresser gave the room an ambiance that no lightbulb could achieve.
The votives were a last-minute addition. She’d changed the sheets earlier in the day, but if he’d been any earlier, she wouldn’t have had time to light and arrange candles. They set the tone she was looking for.
She turned to him and spread her arms. “Here you go. Your move.”
His gaze swept the room and came to rest on her. “I’d like to start by kissing you.”
The rasp in his voice sent a delicious shiver up her spine. “Be my guest.”
Stepping forward, he framed her face in his calloused hands. “Thank you for this.”
“My pleasure.”
“I’ve been waiting all day.” He pressed his lips against her forehead. “Longest day ever.”
“Mm.”
“Thought nine o’clock would never get here.” He touched down on one cheek, then the other, and moved on to her chin. At last he zeroed in on her mouth.
He nibbled and teased, taking his time, yet a current of urgency simmered under the surface, heightening the tension. Combing his fingers through her hair, he cradled the back of her head and tilted it back as he kissed his way along her jawline to her ear.
He tugged on the lobe with his teeth. “You don’t wear earrings.” His breath was warm, tickling her ear. “Why not?”
“Never liked them.”
“Good choice. They get in the way.” He trailed kisses to her other ear and nuzzled her neck. “You smell wonderful. Are you wearing—”
“No.”
“Pheromones.” He ran his tongue around the outer shell of her ear. “I can taste ’em.”
“Cannot.” Her breath came faster.
“Can so.” He licked his way down the curve of her neck to her shoulder. “Tastes like chicken.”
She laughed, then dragged in a breath as he slipped the thin strap off her shoulder.
“And you’re delicious.” He nipped playfully at her skin. “This is five-star dining right here.” He ran his tongue along her collarbone, paused to explore the hollow of her throat and moved across to the other shoulder.
When he slipped that strap off, the bodice lost traction. As it eased downward, he shifted his attention to the slope of her breast. Coaxing the straps lower, he gradually uncovered her nipples.
“Just what I was looking for.” He leaned down and drew one quivering tip deep into his mouth.
She moaned and clutched his head. This.
Sucking gently, he pushed the straps a little farther and the nightgown slid from her body, the smooth material lightly caressing her sensitized skin on the way down. Releasing her breast, he scooped her into his arms and laid her on the bed.
The cool sheets beneath her stood no chance of staying that way as his hot gaze stroked her from head to toe, fanning the flames of arousal. She shifted restlessly. “I need you.”
“I need you more.” He swallowed. “So beautiful.” Breaking eye contact, he bent to pick up her nightgown. “I don’t want anything happening to this.”
Her heart melted. She would have left it on the floor and worried about it later. “You can hang it on the hook on the closet door.”
After locating the straps, he slipped them carefully over