He lowered himself over her, his mouth finding her throat, her collarbone, the warm curve of her breast through the thin linen. Her breath hitched. Her fingers slid into his hair.
He could tell himself this was nothing more than desire.
He would be lying.
“You’re certain you want this?”
The blaze of longing in her eyes said she did.
“I wantyou, Dominic.”
He freed himself and pressed closer, guiding himself into her, a groan escaping as she sheathed him in warmth. He had not known it could feel like this. Like coming home.
He forgot every reason he had for resisting her.
He eased forward, rocking slowly into her as she grew accustomed to the size and feel of him.
Her legs wrapped instinctively around his waist, drawing him closer. Her hands settled against the bare muscles of his back, as though she had never doubted she belonged there.
Why had he denied himself that same simple pleasure?
Because he was already picturing how it would end. With her gone. Him ruined. And still, he didn’t let go.
He bent over her, his breath warm against her neck as he moved again, careful at first, until the rhythm between them built.
“Daphne,” he murmured, his voice roughened by restraint. “I need to drive deeper. Look at me when I do.”
She did, her eyes wide but steady, trusting him in a way that made something tighten painfully in his chest.
God help him.
“If it hurts, if you want me to stop, say the word.”
She shook her head, one hand sliding into his hair as if to anchor herself. “I don’t want you to stop.”
He lowered his forehead to hers, breathing her in. Foryears, vengeance had been the only thing that burned through his blood. Now there was this woman beneath him, and he craved her more than he had ever craved revenge.
He kissed her deeply. One slow glide answering the other.
He had meant to take his time.
He had meant to maintain control.
But the way she clung to him, the way her breath warmed his throat, the way her body answered his every movement?—
He rolled his hips, one long thrust filling her.
“Daphne.”
She gasped, her nails pressing lightly into his back as the deeper stroke drew a soft cry from her lips.
“I’m all right,” she whispered. “Don’t stop.”
He searched her face for doubt and found none.
Then she said the one thing no one ever had.
“Please, Dominic. I need you.”
