the hook. Then he leaned against the dresser and pulled off his boots. “I’ve never seen you in candlelight.”
“We had candles during dinner last night.”
He smiled. “This is a little different.” He stuffed his socks in one of his boots and reached behind his back to grasp the neck of his T-shirt.
“You’re wearing those for me, aren’t you?”
He tugged it over his head and down his muscular arms. “Yes, ma’am. You said you liked the look and I need every advantage I can get.” He started to put his shirt on the top of the dresser, glanced at the candles and hung it over one of the bedposts, instead.
“I’ll admit I’m a sucker for you in a tight T-shirt.” She admired the dance of candlelight on his broad, lightly furred chest. “But I like this look even better.”
He met her gaze and held it as he took a deep breath. “Glad to hear it.”
The intimacy of his low, gentle voice filled her with longing. She rolled to her side, eager for his touch, his kiss, his warm body melding with hers.
His breath caught. “Dear God, when you look at me like that…” Shoving his hand into his pocket, he took out the condoms he’d brought. “Take these. If I put ’em on the dresser they could catch fire.” He started to hand her all of them, then held one back.
Putting it between his teeth, he quickly divested himself of his jeans and briefs. Then he ripped open the condom, dropped the packaging on the floor and sheathed himself. “I’m done being neat.”
She scooted over to make room for him. “Good, because I—”
“I know.” He climbed into bed and eased her to her back. His voice was hoarse. “I know.” Moving between her thighs, he slid the tip of his cock into her slick channel, and with one sure thrust, buried it deep.
She wrapped him in her arms, treasuring his solid strength, the perfection of this moment, the wonder of Nick.
His intense gaze locked with hers as he began to move. He didn’t ask her what she wanted this time. His instinctive understanding of what she needed thrilled her.
She caught his rhythm and rose to meet each stroke, the liquid sound of their joining a sensual music she craved. Deep within her core, the spring wound ever tighter. Her pulse raced and her breathing grew shallow.
With unerring skill, he chose the moment to increase the pace. His eyes darkened and his lips parted as he coaxed her quivering body closer and closer to the brink. Then he bore down and she came apart with a jubilant cry.
But he didn’t stop. Shifting his angle, his breathing harsh, he kept going, catching her as the spinning slowed and hurling her back into the center of the whirlwind.
Gasping and crying out, she came again, her fingers digging into the muscles of his back as she bucked in the grip of a second powerful orgasm. He added his cry to hers, driving home one last time and shuddering against her, claiming his release.
Braced above her, he dipped his head and gulped for air. “Incredible.”
“Uh-huh.” She caressed his sweaty back as the beating of her heart gradually resumed a normal rhythm and she could breathe without gasping.
He was still panting when he eased away from her and left the bed. “Don’t go away.”
“Don’t worry.” Impressive that he could summon the energy to take care of the condom. She couldn’t move if someone paid her to do it.
Her eyes drifted closed. Each time was better than the last. Surely they couldn’t keep improving on this activity forever, but so far their lovemaking kept going steadily up the chart.
Nick returned and slipped back into bed.
She opened her eyes to find him propped on one arm and staring down at her with a look of fierce concentration. “My goodness.” She used her finger to smooth the furrow above the bridge of his nose. “Why so serious?”
“Because I have something to say and I don’t think you’re going to like it.”
A chill passed through her. “Then don’t say it.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Powered by the most amazing climax of his life, Nick gathered his forces for the most important conversation of his life. He took a deep breath. “Eva, I love you.”
Her eyes widened. She opened her mouth, closed it again and swallowed without speaking.
“I don’t expect you to say it back. I’ve been into this much longer than you. I was half in love after the first haircut you gave me.”
She still