She pressed her hand toher stomach. Tomorrow. Tomorrow, she would make him stay and finishwhat he started. She didn’t want slow. She wanted him.
A knock sounded at herdoor. Unsteady, Hope rose, and it took her an age to make her wayto the door and fumble it open.
Jake stood on the otherside, chest heaving, eyes wild.
Lust, barely dormant,flared to life. “What happened to waiting?”
“Fuckwaiting.” Pushing into the room, he curled his arm about her and,hauling her to him, his lips crashed down on hers as he shoved thedoor shut behind them.
ChapterFifteen
WRAPPING HIS ARM AROUND her, Jake hauled her into him,taking her lips with his. She opened to him, tangling her tonguewith his as his fingers dug into her back. She couldn’t believethis feeling, this urgency. She’d never felt its like and all shewanted was to get closer to him, to feel his skin against hers, tohave his body weight down hers.
She’d worn one of herbest gowns for their outing, but it still fastened up the front tonegate the need for a maid. His fingers worked at the buttons, thefabric gaping as he revealed her undergarments inch by inch. Sheremained still under his ministration, her gaze locked on his face.His brow was furrowed, his expression determined as he worked,muttering a curse every now and then as his long fingers hit asnag, until finally she was covered to her waist only her corsetand chemise. She always wore her corset loosely and he easilyunhooked the busk, pushing the stiff fabric aside and loosening theties of her chemise.
Rubbing his mouth, hestared at her bared skin. She stood just as still under his regard,her arms at her side, watching him.
Slowly, he raised hisgaze.
A fierce pride filled herthat she had made Jacob Wade look so, his skin pulled taut, hisgaze heavy lidded, a desperate need burning his eyes. She archedher back a little and his eyes darkened, lust flaring in theirdepths. An aching emptiness settled low in her belly, and she madean involuntary sound.
Curling his hand aroundher waist, against her naked skin, he again pulled her to him. “I’mgoing to kiss you now, darlin’.”
His words whisperedagainst her ear and she shivered. Turning her cheek, she lifted herface, wanting his kiss more than she wanted her nextbreath.
A wicked grin flashedacross his face. “Not there.” His hand gently cupped her breastand, lowering his head, he kissed her there.
She gasped. His tonguedelicately traced her, his lips gently worrying her nipple, hishand plumping her flesh. His other hand played up her back, warmthrough the cloth of her dress. A hard clench of need pulled at hercore, and she rubbed her thighs, restless and wanting something,wanting more. She knotted her fingers in his hair, the strands likesilk against her skin. He growled against her, his hand tighteningon her breast as he rubbed her nipple over and overagain.
“Do you likethis?” He blew gently against the flesh he had made wet.
Pleasure streaked throughher, but it was too much. Too much. “Yes,” she managed.
He stopped.“Hope?”
She closed hereyes.
“Hope?” Hishand cupping her cheek.
Opening her eyes, she methis gaze. “I am…apprehensive.” She lifted her chin. “I am alsodetermined. Please proceed.”
The corner of his mouthkicked up. “Darlin’, I have to warn you. I like those ten dollarwords, and the way you say them.”
“Ten-dollarword?”
“Apprehensive.” He kissed her neck, and then hesitated.“You’re sure about this?”
“I am.” Sheswallowed. “And you? You wish to proceed?”
That wicked grin again.“I surely do.”
“Well then.”She licked her lips. “Shall we adjourn to the bed?”
He closed his eyesbriefly. “Another ten-dollar word.”
Taking his hand, she ledhim to her bed. Nerves danced in her belly along with desire, andshe concentrated on the feel of his hand in hers, the sureness ofhis step, the knowledge he watched her with desire in his darkeyes.
Sitting on the edge ofthe bed, she folded her hands in her lap. What did she do now? Didshe lie back? Should she let him lead? Should she—
