“If you don’t mind,” she said, “let’s use the spare bedroom.The sheets are cleaner in there.Also, it might be a bit weird to use my bed right now.”
Nick’s gaze pierced her.From his knowing nod, she got the sense he preferred not to use the bed her dead husband had used.
She turned on the light in the spare room, then hesitated.“Do you prefer the lights out?”
“Leave them on,” said Nick, leaning against the doorframe.“I want to see you.”
Claire stood near the bed, shivering as if she’d already removed her clothes.“Is there, um, anything you don’t like?”
“Sweetheart, right now, I can’t think of a single thing I wouldn’t want to do with you.”He moved closer.“What about you?”
“I’m very open-minded.”
His soapy scent swarmed her as he drew near.“That’s good to know.”
Her knees wobbled when he kissed her again.His tongue flicked at her lips, demanding entry, even though she was only too happy to offer it.As he deepened the kiss, he inched his hands down her back and cupped her ass.
Claire melted inside.She swore she could hear her blood racing in her veins.There had been moments when they’d been working at the sanctuary, when she’d caught herself staring at his big hands, imagining them on her body.Now, here they were.The more Nick kneaded her ass, the more she worried her legs would give out.
His fingers met with her thighs, teasing the skin under her hem.“Do you mind if I do this?”
She’d always enjoyed foreplay, but tonight it would destroy her.“Actually, I want you to take my dress off.”
“No more going slowly?”
Her breaths became shallow and quick.Was she hyperventilating now?
She struggled to answer but couldn’t think of any words.
All she knew was that Nick Zorn’s hands were on her body and she desperately needed to feel himinsideher body.
She’d wanted to get back in the saddle, but it suddenly felt as if her horse was breaking into a gallop.
“Claire?”
“I…I’m so on edge and it’s been such a long time.I think I just really need to come.”
He placed his hand over her chest.“Your heart’s pounding.”
“Like I said, it’s been a while.”
“Okay.”He grabbed her hand.“I want to give you what you need.I can draw this out all night long, but I don’t want to torture you.”
“It’s not torture, I swear.Everything you’ve done is perfect.”She seized a breath and tried to steady her pulse.Her throat thickened, as memories of Arthur intruded.“I guess I’ve just been anticipating, but also dreading, this moment for so long.”
His brow furrowed.
She was ruining this.Get yourself together, Claire.He needs to have a good night.
“We could try again some other time.”
“No.”She slung a finger in his belt buckle.“I want this, Nick.But I think I’ll relax more if I come quickly.You know, like pulling off a bandage.”She prayed he would interpret the breathiness in her voice as seduction, rather than nerves.“Then maybe you could help me come again?”
“I’d like nothing more.”
“Okay.”She turned around and looked over her shoulder.“You’d better unzip me, then.”
His remarkable hands met her skin again as he drew the zipper down from her back to the spot just above her bottom.His chuckle made her skin riot with goosepimples.“How did you ever get this zipped up in the first place?”
