Bed of Roses Page 0,49

and touch me. Everywhere."

She moved under him, lazy, teasing motions as he drew the dress over her head, and felt the sizzle of pleasure as his gaze traveled over her.

"You're spectacular." He traced the edges of red lace, the tiny black petals. "This may take a while."

"No rush."

When he lowered his lips again, she let herself steep in the sensation of being explored. Inch by inch, he'd said, and he was a man of his word. He touched, he tasted, he lingered until her quivers became trembles and the perfumed air thickened.

Generous curves, skin gold in candlelight, her hair spread out in lush coils of black silk. He'd thought her beautiful, always, but tonight she was a banquet willing to allow him a feast. Every time he came back to those soft, lush lips, she gave a little more. He guided her up, slowly, slowly, felt her rise and rise, then crest and break.

Sensation drenched her, sweet and hot and lovely.

"My turn." She pushed herself up to link her arms around his neck, to fix her mouth to his. She shifted, nudging him over and back. Now she explored, strong shoulders, hard chest, firm belly. And teased his zipper down to free him.

"I'd better - "

"I'll take care of it."

She took a condom out of her nightstand and took her time pleasuring him in the act of protection. Her hands, her lips set every muscle quivering until he gripped her hair, dragged her up. "Now."

"Now."

She slid down, bowed up. And took him into her.

The shiver ran through her, bright, silver-edged - a shimmering in the blood - as she began to move. Slowly, to draw out every drop of pleasure, with her eyes on his. He gripped her hips, fighting to let her set the torturous pace. As her hands ran down her body in glorious abandon, he ached from the sight of her. Her skin glowed, like gold dust set to flame with her black velvet eyes shimmering in the flickering light. His pulse beat in wild drums while she took her fill. And fisting around him, she shuddered over the edge.

He levered up, rolled her to her back. On her gasp he pushed her knees up. "My turn."

He let control snap.

The sleepy, shimmering pleasure flashed to frenzy. She cried out from the shock of it as he drove her in fast, powerful thrusts. Lost, thrilled, she met the unreasoned demand beat for beat. The orgasm ripped through her, filled her, then hollowed her out.

She lay helpless, quivering even as he took more and reached his own. He collapsed on her, undone. He felt her quaking beneath him, felt the hammer strikes of her heart, and still her hand came up to stroke his back in a gesture of affection that was so utterly Emma. Jack closed his eyes a moment. He'd lost his wind, had probably lost his mind. He lay, breathing her in, absorbing the way her body, completely relaxed now, felt under his.

"Well, since we promised to be honest," he began, "I have to tell you that didn't do much for me."

Under him she laughed and pinched his ass. "Yeah, it's a shame. I guess we just don't have any chemistry."

He grinned, lifted his head. "No chemistry. That's why we blew up the lab."

"Lab, hell. We leveled the building." She sighed, long and deep as she stroked her hands down. "God, you've got a nice ass. If I may say so."

"You may, and, baby, you, too."

She smiled up at him. "Look at us."

He kissed her, softly, then again with light affection. "Are you hungry? I'm starving. How do you feel about cold Chinese?"

"I feel perfectly fine about it."

T HEY ATE AT HER KITCHEN COUNTER, DIGGING NOODLES, SWEET and sour pork, and Kung Pao chicken right out of the cartons.

"Why do you eat like that?" he asked.

"Like what?"

"In microscopic bites."

"Well." She worked her way through a single noodle as he topped off her wineglass. "It started as a way to needle my brothers, and became a habit. Whenever we'd get a treat, ice cream or candy, whatever, they'd just scarf theirs down. It drove them crazy that I'd have some of mine left. So I started eating even slower so I'd have more left and make them crazier. Anyway, I eat less and enjoy it more this way."

"I bet." Jack purposely shoveled a huge forkful of noodles into his mouth. "You know, your family's part of your appeal."

"Is it?"

"Your family's probably part of the reason you're appealing,