As she buried her face into the crook of Christian’s neck, Jessie’s lips moved of their own accord. He groaned, as though in pain, and it startled her so she froze.
“Nay,” he said, breathing heavily now. “Don’t stop now...” He pressed her face against the quickening pulse at his throat, urging her back into carnal oblivion.
Moaning softly, Jessie parted her lips against his heated skin, tasting him against her tongue.
“God... yes...”
She nibbled him as he had done to her, and it drove Christian insane with lust.
His body quivering with restraint, he seized her hand, folded it tightly within his own. His senses dimmed by the inferno at his groin, he slid her fingers between their bodies where he most craved her magnificent touch, pressing her delicate little palm against his aching flesh.
He needed her now—God, but he had to have her!
He was beyond reason.
Too long he’d denied himself.
She was too sweet... too tempting...
Whimpering, Jessie swallowed the lump that rose in her throat, though she couldn’t have removed her hand had she tried. She knew an overwhelming desire for completion—but a completion of what?
She trusted Christian without fail.
He wanted her in the way that a man wanted a woman, and the knowledge made her lie eagerly before him. He would do nothing to harm her; she knew it deep down in her heart. And he was giving her pleasure as she’d never imagined possible.
His lips seared her flesh, kissing her boldly. When he moved down, nibbling her breast through her bodice, she felt a shock of pure rapture.
Whatever he would do to her, she would gladly allow it...
Anything.
“Let me love you, Jessie…”
The plea echoed through Jessie’s heart. Yes, she adored him. He was her savior, her protector. Anything he wanted of her, she would willingly give—gladly, madly...
She was mindless with need… for all that his touch promised.
His hand found that place between her thighs, and he stroked it lovingly. Jessie’s emotions worked with her body, spiraling her into oblivion. She could think of nothing but the sensations he was rousing within her as his finger slipped daringly within her, then stopped abruptly.
9
It was the only thing that could have stopped him.
Christian froze, cursing roundly.
He’d known it was there, but had blatantly ignored the prick of his conscience. Now it shrieked at him like a banshee out of a mistral wind.
She opened her eyes, silently questioning his hesitation, and the screeching intensified as she gazed up at him so expectantly.
Christ, he couldn’t do this to her.
She trusted him, respected him, saw only the good and honorable in him... and he... he couldn’t fail her.
Sweat slid from his brow as he reined in his lust—a near impossible feat, for he was nearly over the edge.
Still, he hung on, mentally haranguing himself out of his lascivious designs.
Damn... he’d asked that she meet with him here today for this very purpose... and she had come to him willingly.
