more than willing to answer his dare. “I want to feel you against me.” I let the

silk of his hair slip through my fingers and raised my arms above my head, never

looking away. “Take it off. Please.”

He didn’t make me ask twice. His hands drew my T-shirt up and over my

head, then threw it off to the side, leaving me only in my green lace bra and panties. “That’s much better.” He licked his lips, his gaze taking in every exposed inch. He shifted until he was lying next to me, his head resting on his

hand, as he used his other to explore. He traced the scalloped edged of lace, his

finger dipping inside the silk cups to tease the already aching points.

My body trembled as he continued, going so far as to trace the scar patterns

as they dripped over my neck and shoulder. Instinctively, I hunched.

He gave me a hard kiss. “Don’t. It’s part of you.” He took his time kissing

over every injury, including the necklace of bruises. By the time he was done, my arms were locked around his shoulders, trying to drag him closer. He pulled

my hands away and caught them in one hand, being careful to avoid the

lingering marks on my wrists. He pressed them gently against the pillow. “Keep

them here.”

Curious and aroused, I did, only moving when he made quick work of my

bra and left me exposed. With skillful precision he brought my body to a boiling

point of mindless need. Fighting through the rushing tide of desire, I raised heavy lids and caught the lust and need warring on his face.

Emboldened by his earlier action, I brought my hands up to cup my breasts,

the way I wanted him to, presenting a provocative offering. When his gaze was focused exactly where I wanted it, I drew light, taunting circles around my nipples, sucking in a breath as they tightened to aching peaks.

His gaze sharpened, burned.

“What are you waiting for?” My husky question brought his gaze back to my

face.

“I’m enjoying the show.” Without taking his eyes from mine, he reached out

and followed the path of my touch.

My hands faltered, unable to maintain my teasing as he took over. His hands

shaped and caressed, but he continued to watch me, even as I gasped for breath

and arched into his touch. He leaned forward until his lips brushed mine. “Tell

me what you want.” His command stoked the fire between us higher.

“Your mouth on me.” It was a struggle to get the words out coherently, but I

managed. Barely.

A very satisfied smile curved his lips before he bent his head to take my breast into the heat of his mouth.

I wrapped my hands in his hair and pulled him closer, arching into his touch.

Desire roared through me like a wildfire, burning away reality until only Kayden

was left. His touch, his taste, just him. The house could burn around us. All that

mattered was the feel of his mouth on my breast, the heat of his hands on my skin and the rising, hollow ache between my legs.

I ran my nails down his back, eliciting a sibilant hiss as he raised his head and nipped at my lips. Then he turned his attention to my other breast. As he took over there, I stroked over his chest and down his stomach, my goal was the

cotton band of his boxer briefs. I tunneled my hands underneath the material and

nipped his shoulder. “Off.”

A quick curl of his tongue over my nipple, then he was drawing back,

dropping kisses in the valley between my breasts as he went. He raised his head

and flashed me a grin as his hips surged into mine, making me lose focus on my

current goal. “After you.”

I gripped his hips, holding him tight as desperate need left me rubbing

against him. His groan echoed mine. His weight settled over me and he cupped

my face, taking another breath-stealing kiss. I covered his hands with mine and pulled back, pleased to see his dazed look. “I want to see.”

His weight lifted, and then he was standing next to the bed, black boxer briefs barely containing him. I sat up slowly and reached out to touch, only to have him wrap his hand around mine, stopping me before I made contact. He pulled me to my knees. “You first.”

Lace and satin sailed past his shoulder to hit the floor. I could feel him looking at me, the heat and weight of it like a caress. Color rushed over my chest

and face. I cursed my pale complexion but held still. He crawled onto the bed,

and I backed up, falling back as he came over me. He used those strong arms and

slowly lowered until his chest brushed mine and he could take my mouth. The man could kiss like no one’s business. It didn’t take much before I was trying to