Feeling.
She was helpless now, caught between his body and the desk.
“I want to explore you, Diana.”
Her breath hitched at the gravelly sound of his voice. He released her hand so he could push her skirt up. Diana widened her legs when he dragged his fingertips along the tops of her stockings, over the sensitive flesh of her inner thigh.
“I don’t want to fight anymore.” His voice broke the expectant silence.
“Fight me?”
“Fight myself.”
His mouth claimed hers as if he’d made a life-changing decision. He kissed her with desire, yes, but also with purpose, determination. Never had she imagined herself in such a state of surrender, but with Zeke, she wanted to give him everything—her thoughts, her heart.
And her body.
She would belong to him at least once.
Clinging now, Diana experimented by sucking at him, pulling his mouth deeper—bringing him closer.
“Explore me.” She managed. “Shine your light on me.” She wanted him to memorize her the same way he did his charts. She wanted him to be as fascinated with her as he was with the stars.
“All of you.” He murmured into her mouth, one hand in her hair now, pulling and claiming. The tug of pain sent an ache to her breasts. Her stays were suddenly too tight, too confining. Her gown was suddenly too heavy.
She didn’t realize she was practically clawing at her bodice, dragging it down, until he covered her hand with his.
“So beautiful.” He stepped backward and Diana shivered, feeling empty.
“What--?”
However, before she could protest, the flickering of candles stopped her. He set the candelabra on the table beside the desk, and his gaze locked onto her appreciatively. “No more shadows.”
“You want light.” She said.
“Yes.”
Diana couldn’t help but smile. He certainly was deliberate in his studies. A flush of heat crept up her neck and into her cheeks when she realized how bare and wanton she must appear to him.
“You’re more stunning every time I see you.” He grazed the back of his fingers across her breast and Diana watched the rosy skin tighten to a stiff point.
“More,” she breathed. “Please, Zeke.”
He met her gaze hungrily and claimed the other breast. “My brave little vixen.”
He pushed her back so she was lying on top of his drawings and charts. When she closed her eyes, she heard him lowering himself to where she’d sat to look through the telescope.
He lifted her feet to rest on the arms of the chair and pushed her skirts up higher. At his mercy now, she ought to feel embarrassed. She ought to feel shame.
She only felt longing.
Afraid he’d stop if she opened her eyes, Diana kept them pinched tightly closed. He was staring at her—down there—sliding his hands closer, his thumb skimming oh, so close to her seam where liquid heat pooled.
“You’re glistening.” He whispered.
“What—” Diana gasped. “What are you going to do?”
He glanced up and met her eyes. “I’m going to exploreyou, Diana.”
