“Tell me what you see.”
Heat sinks from his hand into my flesh, warming me all the way to my core. He’s not looking at the painting anymore, but I’m fixated on it as though it’s the most breathtaking thing I’ve ever seen. His intense focus is centered on me again, and I bask in it like I’m soaking up the August sun on Folly Beach.
The power of his will compels me to respond.
“Passion,” I breathe.
I gesture at a deep crimson splatter: “Rage.” A brighter spray with an orange hue: “Joyful abandon.” A swath that’s a rich shade so dark it’s almost purple: “Seduction.”
“Stunning,” he remarks. His other hand lifts to touch my hair, his finger twining in the amethyst curl again.
An echo of the giddy thrill at the beginning of our date tempts me to surrender. I recall the initial surge of desire for him in the elevator ride up to the rooftop—how excited I’d been to get to know him.
He’s touching my nape, his sure fingers sliding into my hair. He cradles the back of my head in one hand and urges me to turn, so that I have no choice but to face him.
His touch is gentle, but I’m locked in his hold as surely as if he had my hair tangled in his fist. He binds me in place with no more than his gaze, his powerful bearing keeping me thoroughly under his spell.
Molten honey drips down my spine to pool in my belly, and an insistent pulse between my legs echoes the beat of my heart.
“Dane…” His name is a plea, and I’m not sure if I’m begging for him to release me or for him to grant me the mercy of his kiss.
His remarkable eyes flare when I say his name, and his jaw tightens with masculine hunger. I soften in his hold, allowing him to cradle my head in his broad palm.
“I never want to make you uncomfortable,” he says, easily reading my tumultuous emotions. “But I’ve wanted you for far too long, and I fully intend to claim a kiss by the end of the night.”
I blink up at him, shocked at his fierce declaration and undeniably wet from his confident bearing.
He offers me an arrogant smirk. “I’m glad we’re in agreement.”
“You’re very self-assured.” I manage a breathy remark.
“And you like that.” His smile tilts into something a touch wicked. “We’re a good match.”
I resist the urge to squirm at his intense scrutiny. He’s looking at me with carnal hunger, and I feel like I might as well be naked before him.
I’m almost trembling with sensual awareness, as though all of my nerves are hypersensitive. The barest flex of his fingers in my hair draws a soft gasp from my chest, and his sexy smirk tilts in response.
Dane is confident to the point of arrogance, but I can’t deny that his cocky smile makes me melt inside. And that confidence is well-deserved, judging by the way I’m drinking him in like the most compelling work of art I’ve ever seen. He’s utterly gorgeous and hypnotically alluring, and it’s more than just his good looks. The air of easy authority I’ve sensed in him draws me in.
I could easily see myself falling to my knees for this man. Worshipping his perfection like he’s my own personal god.
He lowers his face to mine slowly, his stunning eyes searching mine for silent invitation. When his lips are an inch from mine, he pauses, his heat teasing across my mouth. I’m not sure if he’s allowing me to make the final move, or if he’s relishing toying with me, but his motives don’t matter. I can’t resist the magnetic pull between us, and I arch up to meet him.
His lips are just as soft and sensual as I imagined, and he caresses me with a tender kiss, coaxing me to open for him. I soften on a sigh, melting into him. My arms twine around his shoulders for support, and I cling to him as he claims my mouth deeply enough to take my breath away.
My mind begins to spin, and I’m swept up in the delicious heat of his powerful body and the sure, seductive strokes of his tongue against mine.
One broad hand pins my lower back so that I’m pressed tightly against his hard abs. The confident hold makes me flower open for him on a low moan, and his answering growl of desire vibrates through my body.
The masked man’s fierce growl rumbles through me, vibrating all the way to my core. My clit pulses, and my labia are wet with desire. My entire body softens and submits, preparing to accommodate my attacker so that he can slake his lust.
I freeze in Dane’s arms. I’m still melded close to his body, caged by his strong hands.
Desire shudders through me at the sensation of being trapped and helpless.
My stomach lurches, and I jerk away from him. For a fleeting instant, his fingers contract, nipping into my flesh in a punishing hold.
I’m burning inside for Dane, but my skin is chilled. The air conditioning turns frosty, and ice sinks into my heated flesh.Nausea churns in my gut as my twisted desire rises, threatening to consume me.
