*~~*~~*
Stars whirled behind Grace’s closed eyelids as Perry’s lips touched hers, lightly at first, then more forcefully, demanding she open her mouth to him.
How could she refuse?
She wanted this, wanted his arms, wanted his tongue plunging within, learning her, tasting her. It granted her licence to do the very same thing.
Her arms slid around him, beneath his jacket, feeling his warmth through his shirt and waistcoat. Her breasts squeezed against him, teased by his clothing as he moved to deepen their kiss.
Yes, she wanted this. He tasted sweet, a tang of masculinity and power flooding into her mouth. Her fingers curled, digging into his back as she felt his hardness rise between them. Someone moaned as he adjusted their position to fit himself between her thighs.
It might well have been her, since his movement unlocked something deep within her belly, liquefying things that had lain dormant for so long.
“God, Grace,” he tore himself free, his face a wonder, eyes heavy-lidded and cheeks flushed. “You’re…irresistible.” He returned to her mouth, this time insisting she open wide so he could share her breaths, thrust his tongue deep—moves designed to arouse a need she’d kept hidden.
His hands slid down and found her buttocks, squeezing the mounds firmly, lifting her to her toes and rocking her against his arousal.
She moaned again, leaning back to catch her breath, gasping for air yet unwilling to step away.
One of his hands reached for the shoulder of her gown and pulled it down, down almost to her elbow.
“Yes, dear God. Yes…” he muttered, easing the neckline from her breast. “Jesus above, Grace. Such beauteous bounty. Why have you kept these hidden?”
He managed to slid a hand beneath the bared globe and she arched in his grasp, wanting his touch, his mouth on her.
His thumb grazed her nipple, and she cried out, thrusting herself toward him.
“That’s it, love. Let me give you pleasure.” He bent his head and licked—then suckled, darts of lightning flying from his tongue to between her legs where an incessant ache was making itself known. Her hips forced themselves forward against him, desperate for the touch she needed.
“Perry,” she whispered, losing herself in the exquisite sensuality of his mouth nibbling such sensitive flesh.
“I know, Grace. God, I can feel your fire…”
Another gasp as he reached down, grabbing handfuls of her gown, tugging the crumpled fabric out of his way and reaching for her thigh…and then upward.
She cried out when he found her, cupping her sex, squeezing and learning her damp folds with increasing urgency. Her legs spread apart, offering him access to everything she wanted him to touch.
And he accepted her invitation, finding her tender flesh, the place that made her whimper and pressing a finger deep inside her tight passage.
It had been so long. Longer than she could remember—and never quite like this.
He was moving his hand and his fingers, licking her nipple, kissing her, then rubbing that thumb of his over a spot that took her breath away and sent her on an upward climb to…to…
“Perry,” she gasped. “Perry…”
Her body shattered, she choked back a scream, and nearly collapsed in his arms as she rode the spasms of pleasure to their conclusion. All while standing in the almost-empty living room of a house she’d never visited before today.
It was the most appalling lapse in behaviour she could ever have imagined.
And the most exciting and wonderfully erotic moment of her life.
The lights behind her eyelids faded as breath re-entered her starving lungs. The modest and well-behaved Grace Chaney awoke and embarrassment replaced the sexual glow with red cheeks and a gaze that couldn’t meet his.
She felt him readjust her clothing, and brush a stray curl from her face. “You are amazing, my dear. And yes, irresistible.”
“I…” She moved away from him. “I should be ashamed, Perry. That was not…not acceptable behaviour.” She turned. “But thank you for your kindness.”
“Kindness? You think that was justkindness?”
