She was both a warrior and a woman and he admired both facets of her personality.
Astra nipped his bottom lip and pulled back. “Somehow I don’t feel like I have your full attention,” she said.
“Oh, you definitely do.” His hands flexed, one at her waist and the other on her mid-back. “I’m trying my best to act like a gentleman rather than a caveman.”
Astra released his neck and grabbed the waistband of his jeans with one hand, pulling him toward her. “You’re assuming I have problems with cavemen.”
Now, she really had his attention.
“How about you be yourself and I’ll be myself?” She arched her eyebrows at him.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said. “I’m stronger than I look.”
Astra leaned forward and nipped his bottom lip again. “So am I.”
With that, any thought of restraint or gentleness went right out of his head. He bent down and put his shoulder against her abdomen. When he stood, she was draped over his back. Her hands clutched at his waist.
“Rune!”
At the sound of his name, he nearly froze. Nearly put her down. But she laughed and smacked his ass. Hard.
Taking that as permission to continue, he carried her out of the dining room and down the hall to his bedroom. He didn’t quite fling her onto the bed, she did bounce a little when she landed.
She was still smiling when she looked up at him. “You weren’t kidding about the caveman thing, were you?”
“Nope,” he said.
When he reached up and jerked his shirt apart, sending buttons flying across the room, she laughed again.
Astra sat up and shoved him back from the bed, getting back to her feet.
“Give me a hand here,” she said, turning her back to him. Then, she looked over her shoulder and said, “But try not to rip it the way you did your shirt. I’ll need it when it’s time to go home.”
His fingers shook slightly as he grasped the tiny zipper at the top and pulled it down, careful not to snag the fabric. Or rip it off her body.
Rune’s mouth went dry as she shimmied out of the garment and turned around. Her underwear matched the dress, if they could even be called underwear. The sheer bra did very little to cover or support her breasts. It was obvious it was meant to entice, to tease. Her panties were little more than a scrap of lace with two straps that went over her hips.
“Wow,” he murmured.
Astra smiled. “Thank you. Now, take it off.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She laughed as he moved quickly to do just that. Though, as soon as he touched the delicate lace of the bra, he had to remind himself to be careful. The way he was feeling right now, he’d tear it apart just trying to get it off her body.
Slowly, he slid his fingers along the fabric on her back until he reached the hooks. It was easier than he thought to undo them, though he might have bent one. Maybe both.
Astra shrugged her shoulders as he tugged the straps down her arms and the scrap of lace fell from her body to the floor.
Her skin was so pale it resembled pearl and seemed to have the same shimmer in the lamp light. He wanted to touch her just to see if she was truly there. Her body was a beautiful, intriguing mix of muscles and curves and he wasn’t sure where to start first.
Astra seemed to read his mind because she took his hand and lifted it to her breast.
“Touch me,” she whispered. It was a command rather than permission, but either way, Rune was happy to oblige.
He cupped her breast, running his thumb over the pale pink nipple, and heard her inhale, quick and sharp. But her hand remained around his, urging him on. He lifted his other hand until he cradled her breasts in both palms. Only then did she release her hold on his hand, but it was to reach for the waistband of his jeans.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, tracing his fingers over the upper slope of her breast and marveling in how soft her skin was.
