could hear it. This was so far outside of her normal pattern with men, but she wanted it. One more gift the universe was offering, if she wasn’t too afraid to take it. She wanted him, now. She was breathless. Terrified, exhilarated, confused, and aroused. Hara made herself turn to face him.
One arm remained wrapped around her, the other reached over and gently removed her glasses. Then, slowly, he bent and kissed her. His full lips caressed hers, his copper eyes open and intent on her. Inquisitive. Making sure she was okay. His enticing offer of intimacy was sealed by his respect.
She opened her mouth slightly and ran the tip of her tongue just inside his bottom lip. He responded by pressing her mouth open and sliding his tongue inside hungrily.
Passion torched through Hara, burned away any misgivings, any thought of complications and conflicts. The heat in her stomach spread, warming her in every corner and crevice. Their bodies slammed together, the friction intense.
She bent her head back as he kissed down her neck, arching her body into his. Her hands reached up, moved over the hard muscles of his chest, the rounded pecs under his thin T-shirt fitting perfectly into her shallow palms. So firm. So strong. So …
Hara lost her words then, as Derek pushed her robe down, revealing the top of her breast, his lips now tracing her collarbone with an occasional flick of his tongue. Hara moaned. Her nipples were erect, rubbing against the material, crying out for Derek to release them. He heeded the call, slowly, moving his lips down to just above the hem of the robe, then pushed it down with a light fingertip. His hand went to her breast, holding her up as he took her fully into his mouth, gently flicking and sucking. His other hand slid inside her robe and cupped her ass. He squeezed, and pulled her even tighter to him. She ground against him, moaning.
She was bare to the waist. He undid the sash and slid two fingers between her legs, stroking over her panties. It was unbearable.
“Please, Derek.”
He eased the pink lace over her hips, letting it drop to the floor. “Yes?” he asked.
“Yes. Yes.”
Derek swiftly picked her up and sat her on the counter, kissing and sucking on her nipples. “You are exquisite,” he groaned against her skin.
He continued downward, soft butterfly kisses moving up her thigh, driving her mad. By the time his hot breath was directly on her, she was writhing, saying, “Yes, please, Derek. Please, Derek!”
As his tongue lightly touched her, and then plunged, she cried out. He groaned, vibrating against her as she pushed closer, closer. When his tongue slowed and flattened and teased, she thought she would explode. “Wait! Wait!” she cried out, holding his head. “I want you inside me.”
As he stood, Hara wrapped her legs around his waist. Derek picked her up like she was nothing and carried her to the bedroom. She wanted so badly the deeper connection to this man she had once thought was beyond her reach. Within seconds, she had her wish.
His sculptured body slowly lowered on top of her, hard and ready. Then, Derek surprised her by rolling them over, so that she was on top. His face was flushed and soft but his eyes burned like sparking metal in a forge. “I want you to be in control,” he whispered. Then he put a hand to her cheek, running a thumb over her cheekbone. “I want you to be happy.” He moved his hand down to the curve of her breast.
Hara, looking down at him, almost burst into tears. The gentle affection was as alluring as his physical strength and overcharged masculinity. She had never imagined she could feel so safe, so desired, and so turned on at the same time—especially not by a man who had to have had hundreds of one-night stands. But she was in control and she liked it. If nothing else, she’d be walking away with a memory that would keep her warm for years.
Hara knelt over him, slowly settled herself onto him, just barely, not sure how she was able to keep her movements slow and controlled. He groaned and started to thrust, but she put her hand on his chest. “Shhh. Slow, slow.”
She pulled back up but immediately slid back down, just a little farther, slowly. Derek watched her, helped her, his strong hands on her hips. Her insides were pulsing; he grew harder, bigger, and