"Don't be afraid of who you are," he said. "You're perfect, Percy. Passionate and brave, everything a man could want." Before she could understand the relief, the joy rippling through her, his lips were hot upon her neck. "And hell's teeth, how I want you."
Desire sizzled along her nerves. Yet she pushed at his shoulders. "The w-wager," she stammered. "I cannot do this. I can't betray my brother."
"But you want me, don't you Percy?"
She could no longer hide from the truth. She desired Hunt—a man who did not abhor wickedness, but understood it. Understoodher. She gave a small nod.
Triumph flickered in his gaze. "I'll do what it takes to have you, Percy. Even if it means calling a truce."
"A truce?" A gasp edged from her arched throat when his lips returned to their wanton exploration.
"An armistice, if you will. We will continue our wager, but your maidenhead will be safe with me…"—his grasp tightened on her hair, exposing her further to his touches, his kisses—"until our sixth and final meeting. I give you my word."
His words barely permeated the haze of pleasure. She moaned as a hot lick titillated her ear. She had to think, to resist the desire spinning out inside her. "You won't try to seduce me?"
"I didn't say that. I said I wouldn't put my cock inside you… for the time being."
A tremor shook her at the wicked words, at the sharp nip to her earlobe.
"For the next three meetings, I won't take your virginity. There are many other avenues to bliss, after all. Think of it, Percy," he murmured, "nothing but pleasure between us—and you'll be guaranteed three victories against me to boot."
Three meetings in which she needn't worry about losing the wager or betraying her brother—not that she was worried. Of course, she understood that Gavin was only giving her the skirmishes and delaying the ultimate battle until the finalrendezvous. Still, to have three encounters in which she could explore the desire burning within her... She moaned as his hands molded her breasts, teasing the tight nipples beneath the fabric. She couldn't take the torture much longer.
"My darling, curious girl," he coaxed, "all you have to say is yes."
Could she do it? Could she put aside everything she knew to be proper and right? The choice came from the part of her that could no longer remain hidden. Thatwouldnot remain suppressed. The answer sprang from her like a bone snapping from stays.
"Yes," she sighed.Oh, a thousand times yes.
His mouth found hers, and the kiss surged with hunger, with the giddy joy of reunion. His lips were hot and fierce against hers; their tongues twined, stroked. She could not taste him or feel him enough. She gave in—to him, herself. To the hunger twisting her insides.
Humid air wafted against her skin as the gown fell from her and whispered to the ground. Layers followed, and as the weight dropped from her, she could not be rid of it quickly enough. When she was clad only in her drawers, he backed her against the wall, the wood smooth and cool against her bare shoulders. His hands closed over her breasts, his fingers lightly tweaking the budded centers.
"I love your tits," he growled. "I want to suck these pretty nipples so hard they'll remember my kiss. Do you want me to?"
It was so easy to answer him in the dark.
"Yes, please," she whispered.
A shudder racked through her as he bent his head. He suckled her as he promised—fiercely, without restraint. Her fingers dug into his scalp, wanting to hold onto the exhilarating pleasure as he went from one breast to the other. When she felt the scrape of his teeth, she jerked in surprise. Warmth flooded her lower belly.
"Too much?" he said.
"I—I don't know."
He laughed softly. "Let's find out. Tonight is about your pleasure, my sweet. I want you to tell me what you feel, what you like. This, for instance." His hard thigh wedged boldly between her legs. "What does that make you want to do?"
Oh, it made her want to rub herself against him. To feel that exciting friction she'd furtively discovered in the privacy of her own bed... She bit her lip.
His grin turned wicked. "Naughty girl. I think youdoknow what to do. Go ahead, then," he murmured, his mouth lowering to hers again, "ride me."
As the heady taste of him washed over her senses, she couldn't help but obey. Her arms winding around his neck, she rocked herself shamelessly against the muscled leg. It feltdelicious. She did it again, and this time her thigh brushed against another sizeable muscle. His man's part. Oh my. He was so hard, so large—everywhere.
"Christ, you don't know how good that feels," he groaned against her lips.
Oh, but she did. Nearly naked, crushed against this big, fully clothed male, she was seized by a primal drive. She began to ride him with feverish abandon. He encouraged her with hot words, petting her breasts, making her grow wetter. Through the slit in her drawers, she could feel how she was dampening his trousers, yet she couldn't stop herself. She clung to him, trying to get the pressure right where she needed it...
"I can feel how wet you are, Percy. Ihaveto touch you." He replaced his thigh with his hand, and she cried out.
