Unable to contain it, Elizabeth moaned with the sheer joy of him. Her hand slid instinctively around his neck. Nothing in all her life could have prepared her for the sweeping sensations that shivered through her body in that moment. As he suckled, a thread burned from her breast to her most secret reaches, and she wanted insanely that he should touch her... there.
Again.
She cried out suddenly. Wicked as the notion was, it scandalized her an instant, but just as swiftly, desire overwhelmed her, removing all coherent thought from her mind. Her fingers curled into his hair.
“Cutter,” she sighed. “Oh, Cutter...”
His answering murmur burned her flesh. “Come with me, Lizbeth. Don’t hold back,” he told her, his whisper savage. Never pausing in his feasting, he peered up at her through his thick, dark lashes, watching her expression intently, his dark eyes smoldering.
Well beyond words now, Elizabeth shook her head no, that she wouldn’t, and lest Cutter misunderstand her, she clutched his head possessively to her heart. Her hands threaded more deeply into his hair, tugging gently in desperation.
That was all the encouragement Cutter needed. Without a word, he swept her up, carrying her to his bedroll. He placed her down upon it reverently, kneeling over her, his lips curving at the sight of her. Her eyes remained closed, as though she couldn’t bear to watch what he was about to do. He kissed her lips reassuringly, coming away with the beguiling taste of her on his lips.
“Lizbeth,” he whispered huskily, his breath hot against her mouth. “Open those beautiful eyes for me, gal.” She did, taking his breath away with the emotion nestled in the depths of them. His breath quickened, sounding as though he’d run a country mile. “Say no now...” He kissed her softly, hoping like hell she was too far gone to hear or comprehend his advice. “If you’ve any doubts at all... it’ll be too late once I...”
Groaning as she brushed his face with her velvety soft fingers, he surged forward, thrusting one hand beneath her bottom and lifting her up against his hardness. “Damn me, if it ain’t already too late,” he muttered without regret. His other hand covered her breast as he buried his face into her soft neck. “Much too late,” he whispered.
His fingers skipped down her body worshipfully, then glided the length of her leg, her thigh, lifting her skirt, searing her flesh where he touched her. Like a man possessed, he slid down to kiss the inner length of her thighs, sending delightful shudders coursing through her. While he kissed and caressed her there, his hands worked at the laces of her skirt. Freeing it, he moved up again to nibble her lips as he tugged her skirt down. Almost eagerly, Elizabeth helped him in the endeavor, lifting herself at his will.
Then came her blouse, her camisole... her drawers—all shed before she could even think to protest. All the while he kissed her lips so masterfully, so wickedly, his tongue dipping in, then out, the sensation so intoxicating that she never even realized her nakedness until the cool night air kissed her burning skin.
Mesmerized, she watched as he straightened momentarily to unbutton his own shirt. Peeling it off, he cast it aside. Bare-chested now, he knelt over her, examining every inch of her with his eyes as he’d craved to for so long, not touching, yet increasing her desire with his lusty gaze.
Never had anyone looked at her just so, with so much heat, as though she were beautiful. Never. And to Elizabeth’s shame, she rejoiced in it.
By now it had grown dark, the firelight casting a rosy tint over Elizabeth’s flesh, her breasts, even the darker areolas. Remembering the sweet taste of her, Cutter imagined his children suckling there, and felt white-hot desire knot his gut. Impatient to be inside her suddenly, he brought his hands to his buckle, unfastening it deftly. Removing his gun belt, he placed it gently aside while Elizabeth watched, her eyes wide.
The harsh sound of his buttons popping sent a momentary shiver of alarm rushing through her, but she willed it away. She wanted this, she told herself. So much. And it felt so right. More right than anything ever had before. Still, a lump of fear rose in her throat, nearly strangling her.
As quickly as he could, Cutter removed his boots, then his denims, and suddenly he was free, the night air gliding over his sweat-dampened skin, heightening his pleasure. This, he thought triumphantly, was the way man was meant to be. Free.
His hands touched her knees, urging her legs apart. Elizabeth swallowed convulsively, resisting instinctively. “I—I can’t!”
“Don’t fight it,” he whispered. “You want this as much as I do.”
Elizabeth shook her head.
Cutter’s eyes devoured her. His hand slipped between her legs, and he grinned suddenly. “The hell you don’t!” he hissed.
Elizabeth willed her fear away, remembering only the pleasure she’d felt under his touch the first time.
He eased between her thighs, covering her suddenly, his flesh burning her clear to her soul. And his hardness nudged shamelessly at her private places. Taking her face into his big hands, Cutter kissed her lips feverishly, tiny pecks, then with a tortured groan, filled her mouth with the heat of his tongue.
His body nearly exploded on the spot when she instinctively lifted her knees, tilting herself to give him perfect access.
“So sweet,” he groaned. “So good.”
In response to his words, Elizabeth careened her hips even more. “That’s it,” he coaxed, trembling with restraint, his whisper tormented. Sweat beaded on his brow. “Open for me, bright eyes.”
He was poised at the barrier, his arms straining with the effort of constraint, not wanting to hurt her, torturing himself with the wait. Had to check himself... had to make this good... for her.
Again she tilted, moaning with the ecstasy of his promised intrusion. “Please, Cutter,” she breathed. “Please...”
Still Cutter didn’t move, only shuddered violently somewhere above her, within her.
Without warning, Elizabeth lifted her hips forcefully, urging him inside, filling herself with his heat. The pain was minimal—too much a part of the pleasure to even be called pain.
With an oblivious groan, Cutter began to rock into her, out of her, filling her and then withdrawing again. Crying out, Elizabeth willed him deeper still, and with her fingers, clawed at his back, silently pleading for the release she knew he could give her. Instinctively her hands slid down to his buttocks.
