“I’m sorry I don’t have experience when it comes to talking about how much I want your cock inside me. I’ve never slept with a man.” There. She said it. Mortifying, but true. “If you don’t want me—”
“Oh, I want you. Make no mistake about it.” He leaned his forehead against hers, and she froze. Just breathed in his citrusy, woody scent. “You have no idea how much. Since the moment you sashayed up to my cell in the mine and told me you were the woman who could set me free, I’ve burned for you.”
Essie wound her arms around his neck. “I want you, too,” she whispered.
He hesitated. “I have no idea why. You’re far too good for a man like me.” He pressed a kiss to the spot right above her lip. Licked it. And fuck, it was sensual and seductive, and she wanted so much more. “But don’t ever forget”—he looked her in the eye, making sure she was focused on what he was saying—“I’m not a good guy. Not some self-sacrificing hero who will walk away, preserving your innocence for someone more worthy. If you let me, I’m going to fuck you. And it will be so good. More than you could ever imagine.” A shiver ran through her. “I’ll take us both to heaven tonight,mi Estrella hermosa.”
Her heart stuttered. “Yes, please,” she murmured.
With an imperceptible nod, he turned and strode down to his bedroom. She hadn’t been in it yet, and she took a moment to look around. Like the rest of the house, it didn’t appear very lived-in. No personal touches, except for the framed picture on the dresser. An image of a younger, happier Xander with a woman who had blonde hair. Essie might’ve guessed it was a girlfriend. Until she saw her eyes—the same exact shade as Xander’s—and she knew it must be Alyssa.
He dropped her on the big, king-size bed covered in dark sheets, then reached around, grabbed the back of his collar and pulled his shirt off.
Oh, wow.
Seeing him shirtless never got old. The gold cross seemed to gleam against his tanned skin. Essie’s mouth watered at the tantalizing display of carved abs and taut muscles. Not bulky, but so strong and lean. Her breath picked up as she watched him kick off his boots and undo the button on his cargo pants.
Then all of his attention focused on her. “Stand up,” he commanded.
Essie shoved her shoes off and stood up on the mattress. For the first time, she stood taller than him, but not by much. He reached for the hem of her shirt, his warm fingers brushing her bare skin, then pulled it up over her head and tossed it.
She gave him a tentative smile, lifting a hand to cover the plain white bra. “I’m kind of wishing I packed my nice lingerie.”
He reached behind her, his mouth caressing her ear as he whispered, “I’m more interested in what’s under your lingerie,” and unclasped the hook. The man certainly wasted no time.
Letting out a soft breath as he pulled away, she let the straps slide down her arms and the bra fell to the bed.
His nostrils flared, eyes devouring her. “Christ, you’re beautiful,” he murmured, tone reverent.
Xander grasped her hips and drew her closer, capturing a peaked nipple in his mouth. With a moan, Essie’s head fell back as she offered herself to him. He ravished her breast with his lips, tongue and teeth. Licked and sucked until her knees threatened to give out. Worshipped it completely then moved to the other one. Her fingers threaded through his thick hair, tugging the dark waves.
Lost in sensation, she vaguely felt him working her jeans down and helping her step out of them as he continued dropping kisses all over her fevered skin. His mouth drifted lower, scattering kisses across her flat belly, and his long fingers hooked in her panties and slid them down.
Heart thundering, she stood naked before him. Exposed and vulnerable. Wearing only her gold cross and what she knew must be an anxious expression.
His heated gaze raked down her body. “My God, you’re lovely.”
“So are you.” She pressed her palm over his heart, relishing its strong, hard beat, then she touched his sister’s necklace. “In so many ways.”
But he shook his head. “No. I’m just the devil who wants to fuck you.”
A tremor ran through her body. “And I want you to fuck me, so what does that make me then?”
“Don’t you know?” he rasped, placing his palm on her cheek. Locking eyes with her. “You’re my bright, guiding light. My beautiful star.”
Before she could respond, he caught her mouth in a hot, passionate kiss. She leaned into him, arms wrapping around his neck and crushing her breasts against his chest. The direct contact of his warm skin against hers felt so good. His arousal pressed against her, and when she lowered her hand and covered his erection, his body jerked back. He caught her hand, his fingers lacing through hers and dragging it away.
“Not yet.”
“You’re, ah, quite large.”
He smirked. “That’s why I’m going to make sure you’re nice and ready for me.”
“Oh, I’m ready,” she insisted, rubbing her thighs together.
He placed a gentle kiss below her ear, then nipped the lobe. “That’s good to hear.” His deep voice rumbled against her skin as his free hand reached between their bodies and cupped her mound. She drew in a sharp breath as his finger traced her seam, and when he dipped just the tip of his index finger inside her, her hips bucked. “But I’m going to do so much more than merely make you ready.”
Such a dark promise.His finger sank deeper, and her nails dug into his skin. Anticipation sang in veins.
