savoured it, and traced a path across her collarbone before slipping to the soft swell of her breast, lingered there before gifting equal time to its twin.
A soft groan in protest whispered from her throat as he trailed his lips to her navel, dipping his tongue into the indentation and leisurely circling it before moving low over her taut belly.
Her fingers dug into the sheets as he reached the soft vee guarding entrance to her feminine core, and her hips arched instinctively as he sought the sensitive clitoris, stroking it until she begged him to ease the pulsing ache deep within.
Except he was far from done, and she tossed her head from side to side as the pressure built to an unbearable crescendo… Then he sent her high in a shattering orgasm…again and again…until her body trembled beneath his touch.
It was then he trailed a tantalising slow path to her mouth, covering it with his own as he eased his length into the moist passage, inch by inch, felt the tightness as her muscles convulsed around him…and with one powerful thrust he surged in to the hilt, waited there, then withdrew, only to increase the pace until electrifying passion became all-consuming.
Incandescent, unleashed and incredibly primitive.
More, so much more than it was believed possible…a true meshing of body, mind and soul.
Only with Raúl for her there could be no other, and she thanked the deity for recognising that fact.
Her arms instinctively tightened their hold, and Raúl lifted his head, his eyes dark and slumbrous in the aftermath of passion, only to have them sharpen measurably.
‘I hurt you? Dios…’
Gianna stilled anything further he might have uttered by pressing light fingers to his mouth as she offered a shaky smile. ‘No.’
He brushed his knuckles gently down her cheek. ‘What is it, querida? Tell me.’
Honesty…there could only be honesty between them now. ‘The folly of almost losing you,’ she said quietly, and felt the well of tears build behind her eyes. ‘If it hadn’t have been for Teresa’s illness…’ She faltered to a halt as words failed her.
It was just reaction, she qualified. Emotional overload. Except there seemed no power on earth that could prevent the spill of warm liquid tracing slow tracks down each cheek.
He uttered a heartfelt groan as he soothed each rivulet with gentle lips and held her close. ‘Don’t.’
Gianna offered a damp smile as she met his darkened eyes. ‘You’re my world. Everything,’ she vowed quietly. ‘With out you, I merely exist.’
Raúl covered her mouth with his own in an exquisitely gentle kiss that tore at her heartstrings. ‘You imagine it’s any different for me?’ He traced her soft slightly swollen lower lip. ‘You, querida, only you. Always, from the beginning. Never just sex. Lovemaking. My body…yours, uniting in something so powerful, so incredibly beautiful…unique.’
He took possession of her mouth, savoured the silky inner tissue, then retreated to gently nibble her upper lip. ‘Believe, mi mujer, you are the very air I breathe. Mi vida. My life.’
It was well into the night before Raúl rose from the bed and ran a bath, then he returned and scooped Gianna into his arms and carried her through to the en suite bathroom.
Steam and foam aromatic with lightly scented essence filled the air, and he brushed his lips to her temple as he stepped into the capacious tub and settled her down between his thighs.
‘Mmm, nice.’ It was so good to lean back against him, close her eyes, and enjoy his ministrations as he used a sponge and began spreading scented foam across the top of her shoulders. From there he slid to her breasts, each peak still tender from his touch, then down over her belly to the intimate folds at the apex of her thighs…so acutely sensitive from his possession.
She felt his lips caress the edge of her neck simultaneously with his erotic exploration as he sought her swollen clitoris, stroking it with a feather-light touch. Heat spiralled through her body, and she arched against his palmed hand, seeking the solace he offered.
The aftermath of lovemaking filled her with a piercing sweetness…seductive, intensely sensuous, bewitching, she decided dreamily.
‘I can almost hear you thinking.’ His voice was husky, close to her ear.
Three years lost. Although she’d achieved much during that time. Dealt with her grief, grown as a person, developed the skill to view life…her life…from a different perspective
In one easy move Raúl turned her to face him, and he cupped her face and tilted it so their eyes met.
‘No more shadows,’