He nodded, the regret—that she was probably a bit sore—tempered by the knowledge she had not rejected him outright.
‘I am not an animal, Tallulah,’ he said, as he pressed her shoulder to turn her to face the tiles again. ‘Ignore the erection. I do not expect to have you again tonight. Let me take care of you now.’
‘You really don’t have…’ She began, but then he stroked the shampoo over her wet hair, and she shuddered. A groan broke from her lips when he massaged the flowery liquid into her scalp.
He smiled, his cock throbbing now.Damn, but she was so responsive to his touch, it was going to be a struggle to keep himself under control for the rest of the night and make good on his promise not to seduce her again. But as he washed her hair, the soft, silky strands felt exquisite against his palms.
Tonight, he wanted her in his bed, so she could get used to his touch—and he could cure her of the embarrassment.
He had been rough, rougher than he would have liked, all those brutal needs combining after the difficult emotional terrain he had been forced to navigate today.
Yes, she had orgasmed, but he needed to call on every ounce of his finesse, and his expertise with women to ensure he did not scare her off. Wanting her this much would not be a problem, he reasoned, as long as he did not overwhelm her.
He massaged the tight muscles in her shoulders, her staggered moans making his cock pound, and a wry smile form.
Their chemistry was unprecedented, but all that really meant was their convenient marriage would be much less of a chore than he had anticipated. His smile widened as the water cascaded down and he imagined all the ways he would like to take her in the weeks ahead—once she had recovered from their first attempt.
He dismissed the flicker of regret, that they could never share more than a sexual connection…and ignored the pulsing emptiness inside him… It was better this way.
Tali braced her hands against the shower wall in a vain attempt to control the riot of sensations while Dario kneaded her aching muscles and the heat sank into her sex.
How could he make her want him again so soon, when she was still reeling from the first time. She’d had no idea sex could be so overwhelming, so shockingly intimate. When he’d thrust so deep inside her she’d been able to feel him everywhere, the connection between them had been so fierce, so strong, so devastating it was as if she was making love for the very first time… How could the furtive, fumbling encounter in her college dorm room with… God, she couldn’t even recall his name now, her mind in free fall, as another moan escaped when Dario dug into the muscles in her neck.
She dropped her head forward, her breath trapped in her lungs, her legs becoming weightless, her abdomen heavy. The swell of heat making every erogenous zone beg for his touch.
She could feel his erection brushing her back as he worked her shoulders then swept round to cup her breasts. She flinched, when his thumbs brushed her nipples—still tender from his attentions. He stroked the swollen flesh gently.
‘Your breasts are very sensitive, Tallulah,’ he murmured against her hair. His voice rumbled across her nape, the tone thick with a strange combination of approval and tenderness. ‘I will be more careful next time.’
Next time?
His confidence that there would be a next time only made the twin tides of panic and yearning surge.
She nodded, even as she blinked back the sting of tears. Why was she getting so overemotional? She’d known this would happen, had welcomed it even—because she’d been aroused for days. And the sex had been—she let out a heavy sigh—nothing short of mind-blowing.
Perhaps it was just that she’d never had such an all-consuming reaction to any man before him, never realised sex could be this intense, this powerful. She guessed it was good—to finally discover what all the fuss was about—but she’d also never felt so exposed. Totally and utterly overwhelmed by a physical act, as if her body wasn’t hers anymore but his.
She was still dazed, still trying to make sense of it all, when he switched off the water and took her elbow to lead her out of the shower.
She stood, her arms shielding her body, but the shivering was nothing to do with the room temperature, and everything to do with the delayed shock of their joining.
After hooking a towel around his waist, he picked up a large bath sheet and wrapped it around her. She felt like a child, as he dried her overstimulated body in efficient strokes, then lifted another towel off the pile on the vanity to dry her hair.
Why couldn’t she say anything? Her arms, her legs,god, her whole body felt too sensitive, too alive, and yet also totally exhausted.
Finally, he tucked a knuckle under her chin and lifted her wary gaze to his.
‘Are you okay, Tallulah?’ he asked, his dark eyes seeing much more than she wanted them to.
‘Yes… Yes… I…’ She stuttered to a halt, another vicious shiver racking her body.Oh, for goodness’ sake, Tali, stop being such a wuss.‘I guess I’m just tired. It’s been quite a day.’
‘Yes, it has.’ He smiled, the fierce appreciation in the deep chocolate brown of his irises so validating it scared her even more.
She blinked, hating the renewed tidal wave of emotion which felt like too much. This was just a spectacular booty call. What on earth was wrong with her? Why was she on the verge of tears?
Yes, it had been super overwhelming, in a purely physical sense, and it had the potential to complicate the bargain they’d made…but only if she let her misguided emotions get in the way.
He brushed his thumb across her bottom lip, then clasped her neck, to place his lips on hers. Her tongue tangled with his, the kiss quickly becoming as overwhelming as everything else. But when she braced her hands against his lean waist, needing to steady herself, he drew back.
