Awaken to Pleasure - By Nalini Singh Page 0,45

which made her a little taller than him. "Am I any good?"

A slow smile broke across that dark face. "You're better than good." His hands rested on her barely covered bottom, moving in slow circles. "How about you pay up?" A far more serious question lingered in his eyes.

"Promise, first." She pressed close, a silent answer to his unasked question. This play was more than okay. It was delicious and tempting and wicked.

"Promise what?" He seemed distracted by her breasts.

"That I can watch." The heavy sensuality on his face made her want to give him the delight he gave her in bed, made her want to be bold and sexy and wild. She'd never know whether she had it in her if she didn't try.

He shuddered. "Promise. Now, down woman."

Taylorslithered out of his arms and down his body beforeJacksoncould catch her, a look in her eyes that seared him from the inside out.

"No." She pushed at his abdomen when he would've followed her onto the bed. "I want to..." Leaving the sentence unfinished, she knelt before him again, running her hands over his hips. The towel fell to the floor.

Taylor's gasp made his entire body go taut. Her captivated expression destroyed any will he had to press her down onto the bed and just take her. He'd been afraid that the way she was rushing her exploration of sensuality would backfire into fear, but the look in her eyes was one of dazed discovery.

His tough littleTaylorwas more than up to the challenge of facing her demons.

"Does it hurt?"

"No." His voice sounded strangled to him. "Yes." He contradicted himself. "It hurtsgood ."

"Oh." She looked up, all big blue eyes, and he thought that maybe she was out of her depth.

" Cara, let me..." he began. It was enough that she'd come this far. More than enough. He wanted to adore that body of hers and tell her without words just how much it meant to him that she was able to be so free with him.

Then she smiled, a soft woman smile that let him know she was perfectly happy to muddle her way through this ... if he'd let her. Stunned, he stood there and let her.

Her gaze returned to that part of his body which declared his hunger. Reaching out, she clasped his erection in one slim hand, the action almost nervous.Jacksoncould feel his shoulder muscles screaming as he forced his body to remain still instead of thrusting as instinct dictated. He didn't want to scare her and lose this precious moment of complete trust.

"Jackson?"

"Yeah?" he groaned.

"How hard can I squeeze?" The concern in her tone pulled him back from the beckoning edge. Though they'd made love countless times, he'd always been the one in control. This was a first for them. Holding her gaze, he reached down and clasped his hand around hers and squeezed.

"Harder..." He removed his hand and let her do it herself. With every stroke, her confidence seemed to build. "Harder ... yes, piccola . Yes, just like that..."

With his peripheral vision, he saw her head bend, saw her lips part and closed his eyes. Next time he'd watch, next time he'd savor the indescribable intimacy. This time, he just wanted to survive. Then her hot, wet mouth settled on him and his mind blanked for an instant, before consciousness punched through him with such power and strength, he felt as if he were drowning in the influx of raw sensation.

Somehow, he managed to let her kiss and caress him for at least a minute before he hauled her head away. "Enough." He wanted to penetrate her deep and hard.

"No." She scowled at him and went back to what she'd been doing, her hands clasping the backs of his thighs. He was so surprised at the unexpected sensual defiance that he didn't pull her away. Then it was too late. Shocking pleasure rocked his body. He clenched his hands in her hair, closed his eyes and wondered if his sweet little wife had expected what she got.

He collapsed afterward, sprawling across the bed on his front,Taylorby his side. He was aware that she was stroking him, like he was some great big cat. He lay there and enjoyed the experience, glad that his loss of control hadn't revived her fear. When he finally managed to rouse himself, he turned his head and muttered, "Sorry."

She lowered her head until her lips brushed his. "I am an intelligent woman you know. I knew what was

... coming."

"Did you..."