He certainly had not expected the rush of triumph that shot through him at her acceptance.
“Yes,” he echoed against her lips, which parted easily, inviting him to deepen this kiss. She liked intimacy; she’d wanted this—perhaps as much as he did.
Her lips tasted even sweeter this morning than they had yesterday, and her body molded against his as though she had been made for him.
A soft moan vibrated through her as she wound her arms around his neck. Perhaps they were both relieved to have this matter settled between them—a tired relief that one experienced upon surrendering to fate.
Even though he didn’t believe in fate.
She surprised him in her eagerness, her hands in his hair, tugging him closer and demanding that he deepen this connection. She was not, it seemed, inclined to deny her own desires. Anticipation flickered that she might pleasantly surprise him again and again in the years to come.
One hand supporting her, his other was free to explore her shape—down her arm, around her front. He heeded the sounds of her breathing, wanting to understand what she liked, wanting to meet her needs—her desires.
His tongue tangled with hers and when he bit down just hard enough to trap it, she gasped.
He drew back, watching her expression. “You aren’t afraid?”
She blinked, her eyes taking a moment to focus. “Should I be?”
He’d made a myriad of mistakes with her, done nothing to earn her trust, and yet, it seemed, she would give it freely.
“No.” His urge to protect her swelled. So much so, that he barely noticed the annoying unease pricking at the back of his neck. Because the two of them would meet with obstacles. All marriages did.
Now, however, was not the time to discuss his mother.
“Just kiss me and I won’t be afraid of anything.” She licked her lips and her pupils dilated, making her eyes appear darker than usual.
Lusty thoughts had him dipping his mouth to the curve of her neck. “I can do that.” He covered her breast with his palm, dipping his fingers inside the gap at the top of her bodice. His lips located her pulse, fluttering rapidly as he tugged downward.
“I like this kissing, Addison.”
“Very good,” he approved. “Collette.”
Collette.He rolled her name around his mind. It would seem she’d captured him with nary a shot fired.
“Beautiful.” Her breasts were perfectly plump, tilted up, the tips turgid and rosy. A pink flush crept across her skin. “So if you are afraid, shall I kiss you here?” He grazed his lips along tender skin. “What about here?” He dragged his tongue in a spiral. “Here?”
He clamped his mouth around one eager peak and her soft moan aroused him beyond decency.
“Please.” Her back arched, and her shaking fingers tangled in his hair. Squirming against him, she seemed frantic, but she wasn’t pushing him away, she was pulling him closer.
He sucked her into his mouth, deeper, rolling his tongue over her tight bud. So sweet to taste, so perfect to capture, so utterly feminine. He bit down gently, testing, and her breathing quickened.
“Collette,” He growled against her skin.
She was close to release. He sucked sharply, eliciting another moan, and then released her.
“Addison?” she gasped. He loved the sound of his name on her lips. The needy thread in her voice made it even better.
“I want to show you something,” he said. But should he?
Her brother was trusting him to be alone with her, but desire reasoned that she’d promised to marry him. She was going to be his wife. And his own need insisted the wedding wouldn’t be soon enough. Until then, there was no telling when he would be allowed to be alone with her again.
He wanted to give her something, show her some of what they had to look forward to.
“May I?” He glanced up, needing to read her expression.
From beneath heavy lids, she nodded.
