crazy idea that I should be noble and all that crap. But I’m way past that. I’ve been wanting you too long.”
“I never asked you to be noble. You’re the one who called me walking wounded.” She watched him drop his shirt on the floor. His body was so lean and sleek and muscular, like a panther’s. She couldn’t take her eyes off the corded muscles of his stomach. “And I just didn’t want you to think I wasn’t strong. I’ve never shown anyone as much weakness as I’ve shown you.”
“That’s supposed to be weakness?” Two movements, and he pulled her into his arms. He was rocking her gently back and forth. “Just be quiet, will you? You’re making me crazy. I don’t want to feel like this about you right now. All I want to think about is how much I need you.” Then she realized her bra was gone and he was rubbing her breasts back and forth against his chest. She gasped as she felt the warmth of his flesh against her, the faint abrasiveness of his chest hair against her nipples, which was causing her to tighten and swell. “That’s right,” he murmured. “This is what I want…But it’s not enough. I want my mouth on you.”
And the next moment, his mouth closed on her nipple.
Suction.
His tongue…
His teeth…
Her back arched as she felt the pressure.
“Wait,” she gasped. She was wildly shedding her clothes as his mouth never left her. “I can’t take—”
“Yes, you can. You can take everything. This is how strong you are.” He pulled her down on the blankets. “So don’t tell me you’re not strong.” He was shedding his clothes as he spoke. “I’ll show you what you can take.” He stopped suddenly as he looked down at her. “I’m going wild. I’ll try to let you set the pace, but I can’t promise. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. Don’t let me do that. Just tell me.”
She was panting, moving against him. The feel of his hips against her…“Will you stop worrying? I know you, Novak. Just touch me.” Then she suddenly lunged upward and took him instead. “Yes!”
He froze. His face contorting. “Well. That ends that, doesn’t it?” he said hoarsely. “It’s up to you from now on. I’m gone…” He started to move.
Fast.
Hard.
Heat.
Hot. So hot.
She heard herself gasping, crying, as she met him, tried to take more of him.
Crazy.
It went on and on. He was moving her, positioning her, so many positions…until she thought she couldn’t take any more; and then she found there were no limits.
His face over her, tense, almost in pain.
Then it was going faster, harder.
“Novak…”
Darkness.
Light.
Pressure.
Impossible that it could go on.
But it had to go on, she couldn’t let him leave her…
Then he was gathering her close, lifting her. “Jill?”
But he wasn’t leaving her she realized out of the haze of madness. He was taking her with him.
Her fingers dug into his shoulders.
She thought she screamed. But there was no sound, she realized. Because she had no breath and was clinging helplessly to him as wave after wave was overwhelming her.
“Okay?” His chest was moving in and out with the force of his breathing. “I didn’t do—”
“Don’t you dare,” she gasped. “I’m quite sure you wouldn’t ask that of any other woman at a time like this. I’m fine, better than fine.”
“You’re not any other woman.” His voice was low against her throat. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to compare you to other women.” He lifted his head to look down at her. “So don’t expect it.”
She met his gaze. She wanted to pull him down and return to the hot, erotic intimacy that had gone before. She couldn’t read his expression and it was making her uneasy. Sensuality. Intensity. Something else…
“That’s fine with me.” She smiled with an effort. “I don’t mind being unique. As long as you understand who I am and realize you can’t change me.”
“Ah, yes, I mustn’t try to influence your story.” His lips twisted. “I’ll try to keep that in mind.” He kissed the hollow of her throat. “But you evidently don’t mind me taking action on this level. You came to me.”
“Yes.”
He licked her lower lip. “And you didn’t once think of Varak, did you?”
He knew she hadn’t. She still wasn’t sure what he was thinking. “Novak, what are you doing?” She paused. “Are you angry?”
“I wouldn’t be so ungrateful. I don’t really know what I am at this moment. I’m having problems sorting