It wasn’t working. His chest felt heavy and tight, his muscles rigid.
What in Hades was wrong with him? This wasn’t going at all the way he’d planned. He’d wanted to take it slow, to draw out every moment and every touch. To make her first time perfect for her. Instead his hands felt like two unsteady blocks, his movements were jerky and clumsy, and he was in danger of spewing in his braies like an untried lad.
His reputation as a skilled, unhurried lover was suffering a severe thrashing.
She was moaning nearly uncontrollably now, her breath coming out in hard, gasping pants. “Please …”
Her soft plea for release called on every primal masculine instinct inside him to make her his. All he could think about was ripping off their clothes and sliding their naked bodies together until they were both slick with heat. Until he was thrusting deep inside her and her cries of pleasure were echoing in his ears.
He couldn’t go on like this much longer.
He knew she was close. So close that she wouldn’t put up a fight when she realized what he was going to do. No matter how much he was suffering, he intended to make sure this was something she would never forget.
Ellie cried out in sensual frustration when he pulled his hand away. It felt as if she’d been climbing and climbing to something extraordinary only to have it jerked away at the last minute.
“Don’t worry, love. It’s only going to get better.” His voice was tight and ragged. “I need to taste you.”
Kissing was good, Ellie thought. Anything to release this pleasure coiling so tightly inside her.
He laid her down on the bench gently and slid to his knees. Slowly, he eased the edge of her chemise up her thighs. He lowered his head. A flash of lucidity pierced through the haze.
Her heart slammed against her chest. Her body quivered with shock—and something shamefully like anticipation. No, it was wicked to even think. He couldn’t mean to …
Instinctively she tried to close her knees, but it was too late. He licked her, and the pleasure was so intense that her objections dissolved in a pool of liquid heat. She would rather die of embarrassment later than make him stop now. Never had she imagined something could feel so incredible.
He had his hands on her hips, holding her steady. “Open your eyes, Ellie.” She did as instructed. “I want you to watch when I pleasure you.”
Their eyes locked. Seeing his mouth so close … why did it only make her want it more? Why did it feel so deliciously erotic and naughty? She was shaking with desire. With anticipation. Never had she felt so vulnerable. But somehow she trusted that with him it would be all right.
He pressed a soft kiss against her and she melted. His mouth was so warm and gentle. His tongue slid inside her, thrusting until her hips circled against him. Until she thought she was going to die of pleasure.
His kiss turned rougher. Tonguing her deeper and deeper. Circling. Flicking. Sucking. Using his fingers. Her hips rose up to meet him. It was right there. She could feel it concentrating.
“Oh God,” she moaned. She couldn’t stop it. The pressure spiked.
“That’s it, love,” he murmured against her, “come for me.”
She came apart, crying out as the tight ball of sensation shattered inside her. She pulsed against his mouth, and he held her there until the last spasm of pleasure had ebbed from her body.
Slowly, her heartbeat slowed, and she returned to consciousness. He’d eased off her, but still had the linen of her chemise clenched in his fingers.
His head was bent over her, and he was holding himself so stiffly, if it wasn’t for the harshness of his breathing, she would have thought he wasn’t real.
“What’s wrong?” She placed her hand on his rigid shoulder and he jerked at her touch.
He looked up at her. His handsome face was strained and tight, his blue eyes dark. He looked to be in severe pain.
“Nothing,” he growled. His shoulders drew up as he struggled to take a deep, ragged breath. Then, more gently, he said, “If you want to leave here a maid, I need a minute.”
Her eyes widened, realizing he was fighting for control. “Oh.” She sat up, adjusting her chemise. He hadn’t taken his pleasure. Was it the same way for him as it was for her? Was he feeling the way she had when he took his hand away? She bit her lip. “Is there anything I can … do?”
His jaw hardened, and he shook his head. “I’ll take care of it later.”
Take care of it? How? All of a sudden she realized. “No!” She didn’t want him to go to another woman. “Please, I want to. Show me how.”
Erik’s heart stopped beating, not believing his ears. He was having a hard enough time getting himself under control. Watching her come had aroused him to the point of almost mindless need. Pushed to the very edge of his control, where all it would take was one nudge to send him over. Her offer was almost more than he could bear.
He shook his head. “You don’t know what you are offering.”
