CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Mara stood, paralyzed, as he spoke, that rich, deep timbre rippling through the silence around them, even though his face was still in shadow.
“And here I thought you might have made it difficult for me.”
The same words he’d uttered so long ago tore through her soul.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered.
“You don’t know?” he returned, just as softly.
When he moved into the light, Mara felt her heart begin to pound in her chest. His gaze was intense enough to sear her, those breathtaking, hazel eyes that haunted her dreams and nightmares alike staring right at her. She was captured by that hypnotic stare, and a desperate longing filled her until she was consumed by it.
Mara didn’t know if she whispered his name, or perhaps he was merely connected to her as strongly as she was to him, for he suddenly strode forward, as stealthily as any wraith of the night. He didn’t say anything as he stopped before her, merely held out his hand. The heat from his body warmed her blood as, with trembling fingers, she accepted his offering. She was powerless to resist him.
She always had been.
“Thank God,” he whispered. He pulled her to him, grasped her head, and bent down and kissed her until her knees grew weak from the passion and need in his embrace. When he pulled back, he placed his forehead next to hers.
“You don’t know what I’ve been through…”
He broke off abruptly and took her hand, leading her over to the bed where she sank down helplessly, finding that her legs would no longer support her. She watched in near fascination as he sat beside her, the bed dipping as it accepted his weight. She could hardly dare to believe that he was actually here before her, but as he flicked his thumb across her nipple, causing her to gasp, she realized it was all too real.
Every nerve ending came to life as Roarke continued to caress her. He fit her breast in his palm and squeezed gently.
“Let’s get you out of these clothes, shall we?” he murmured.
He made short work of her dress and undergarments, leaving her stockings for last. He slid the silk down her legs in such a sensual manner that she was nearly panting by the time he was finished.
He rose up before her, and she was transfixed by how sensual he was with his rich, sandy hair falling over his forehead. He dipped his head and put his mouth over her sensitized breast and began to suckle. Her legs moved restlessly, the ache in her midsection pulsing wildly for his touch. “Roarke…”
It was a plea he fully understood for he reached down to find the small bud hiding within the juncture of her thighs where she’d already grown wet with her need. He stroked her relentlessly until she felt she might go mad from the sheer torment of the pleasure that was just out of reach. But just when she might have reached that precipice, he moved away.
“Please…” She didn’t care if she begged at this point. She bit her lip, for she was dying for want of him.
She heard the slight rustling of clothes as he undressed.
“I’m not going anywhere, my love.”
The endearment caused her heart to twinge with hope, but as he came to her and bare skin met bare skin, his wonderful, jutting erection starting to penetrate her inner core with every wondrous inch, she became lost to the glorious ecstasy of it all.
Each time Roarke joined with her, the experience kept getting better. She would never tire of him as long as she had breath in her body and right now, she wanted more of him.
She boldly flipped their positions so that she was straddling him. She gasped as he went even deeper and when he grasped her hips and began a steady rhythm, slowly at first, but gradually picking up speed, she could feel the tide growing.
“You are so beautiful,” Roarke whispered.
She felt wanton as she looked down at him. Her hair eventually escaped its confines and fell around her shoulders like a golden waterfall. Her breasts swayed with her movements, and she rode his cock like any experienced courtesan. When her tongue darted out to lick her lips, she smiled at the look of torture on his face, as if it were all he could do not to expend himself right then.
It wasn’t until he reached between them to touch that most sensitive part of her that she teetered on the brink before finally exploding around him. Her entire body shook with the power of her release, but it wasn’t until the tremors had finally subsided and she was fully replete, that he gave a hoarse shout, calling out her name. The muscles in his neck and shoulders tightened and bunched, then he spilled every last bit of himself inside her.
* * *
Mara finally understood what it was to have stars in one’s eyes. She certainly felt as if she were floating among the heavens. Her entire body hummed in delightful pleasure, and she was sure nothing could make this experience more fulfilling—until Roarke stood up and pulled his trousers on.
Instantly, her heart clenched, for she feared what might come next.Dear God, please say this isn’t the end, that he didn’t come here only to tell me goodbye…
Warily, Mara sat up and pulled the sheet over her as he came back and sat on the edge of the bed. He put his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands loosely together. He wore a light frown and kept his gaze firmly fixated on his intertwined fingers. It was such a pensive expression that she tried to brace herself for what was to come, for whatever he was about to say certainly didn’t seem very encouraging.
