Seduced at Midnight

least bit impatient.'

'Only because I'm trying my damnedest to make this last more than fifteen seconds.' His gaze swept over her chemise, and he groaned. The material was so fine he could see her coral nipples. 'If it makes you feel any better, the effort is nearly killing me.'

He slipped his fingers beneath the straps of the flimsy chemise and slowly slid the material downward, his gaze devouring each bit of creamy skin as it was revealed. When the garment slid off her hips to join her gown, he took her hands and helped her step from the mound of material.

Wearing nothing but her stockings, shoes, and a furious blush, she was… 'The most beautiful thing I've ever seen,' he whispered. He reached out and circled her breasts, brushing his thumbs over her tight nipples. 'The softest thing I've ever touched.' He leaned down and drew one taut nipple deep into his mouth, absorbing her gasp, loving the feel of her hands in his hair, the way she arched her back, offering more of herself.

He kissed his way to her other breast, whispering, 'The most delicious thing I've ever tasted.' While his lips and tongue and mouth explored her breasts, his hands skimmed the length of her smooth back, the luscious curve of her hips and buttocks.

'Gideon…' She wriggled against him then fisted her hands in his hair. 'This is exceedingly unfair.'

'What?' he asked, lazily circling her nipple with his tongue.

She yanked on his hair until he raised his head. 'I am naked.'

He skimmed his hand down her torso and tangled his fingers in the golden curls at the juncture of her thighs. 'Not exactly.' He crouched down and removed her shoes, then leisurely rolled off each stocking. Then he stood, slowly dragging his hands up her body. 'Now you are naked. And there is nothing unfair about it.'

'Except the fact that you are fully clothed. A problem I would like solved immediately.'

'Has anyone ever told you that you're very demanding?'

'Has anyone ever told you that you're infuriatingly slow?'

'My clothing can be removed in less than thirty seconds,' he said, reaching for his waistcoat.

She stayed his hands with her own. 'Oh, no. You undressed me. I want to undress you.'

'Very well.' He spread his arms. 'Be my guest.'

Satisfaction, mixed with a hint of uncertainty, flared in her eyes, and she set about working on the buttons of his waistcoat. He watched her, her brow furrowed with concentration, and the wave of love that washed through him nearly drowned him. Unable to keep from touching her, he slowly combed his hands through her silky hair.

'You're distracting me,' she said, glancing up at him.

'Would you like some help?'

She shook her head. 'I want to do it.'

'What happened to your impatience?' he teased.

She looked up again, this time her gaze serious. 'It's still there. But I want to savor this. Remember every moment. Every touch.'

And just like that, she managed to cut him off at the knees. He remained still, in an agony of anticipation as she finally slid his waistcoat off his shoulders. Drew his shirt from his breeches. He helped her pull the shirt over his head, then fought to remain still as she ran her hands over his shoulders, chest, and abdomen. Everywhere she touched felt as if fire burned beneath his skin.

She stepped forward and pressed her lips against the center of his chest, dragging a deep moan of pleasure from him. When she kissed her way across his skin to circle his nipple with her tongue, his head dropped back, and he groaned. Bloody hell, he didn't know how much of this he was going to be able to take.

'You like that?' she asked, flicking her tongue over him again.

'Yes. God, yes. If you expect conversation…' His words turned into a moan when she drew his nipple into the heat of her mouth.

'If I expect conversation… what?' she whispered, her fingers tracing the sensitive skin just above his breeches.

A heated shiver raced through him. He spoke the only word he could manage. 'Huh?'

A delighted sound came from her. 'Hmmm. I believe I detect a crack in the marblelike exterior. Indeed, I think the granite has a pulse. Interesting.'

Bloody hell. Using his own brand of comparisons against him. If he'd been able to speak coherently, he surely would have told her how annoying that was. Perhaps he would have tried anyway, but just then she pressed her palm against his erection. He sucked in a sharp breath, one he released with a low groan as he thrust helplessly into her hand.

'I want these breeches off, Gideon.'

Thank God. Without an instant's hesitation, he stepped to the bed and sat to jerk off his boots. He would have wagered that no man in history had ever removed his breeches faster. After he'd tossed them aside, he stood.

She reached out and brushed her fingers over his jutting arousal. Clearly encouraged by the low growl of approval that vibrated in his throat, she stroked the length of him, tentatively at first but then with growing confidence as his breathing turned choppy and erratic. When she wrapped her fingers around him and lightly squeezed, he knew he was done.

'Can't take any more,' he managed in a hoarse whisper, gently grabbing her hand. Bending his knees, he scooped her into his arms and laid her across the bed. He ran his hands up her smooth legs, urging her thighs apart. Golden curls surrounded her glistening sex, her folds wet and swollen, a sight that literally brought him to his knees. Dropping down at the edge of the bed, he pulled her toward him. Draped her thighs over his shoulders. Slipped his hands beneath her. And lifted her to his mouth.

Her groan of pleasure filled the room, echoing through his head. He'd never expected to be able to touch her like this again, and he savored every second, determined to bring her as much pleasure as he could. Circling and teasing, licking and thrusting, tasting, delving, he pushed her until she cried out with her climax.

When her tremors subsided, he kissed his way up her torso. Explored the indent of her navel. Discovered a trio of tiny birthmarks dotting her stomach. Nuzzled her soft breasts. Laved their taut peaks.

Shifting her higher on the bed, so her head rested on his pillow, he settled himself between her thighs. She looked up at him through eyes hazy with arousal and framed his face between her hands. 'Again,' she whispered. 'I want to feel that magic again.'

Propping his weight on his forearms, he brushed the head of his erection along her wet folds and prayed he'd last long enough to grant her request. Unable to wait any longer, he eased inside her. When he reached the barrier of her maidenhead, he paused, then thrust.

A startled cry escaped her, and he gritted his teeth, determined not to move. But bloody hell, it was nearly an impossible task. She was so tight and he was so hard… he released a shuddering breath. 'Did I hurt you?' he asked, praying he hadn't.

She shook her head. 'No. I was just… surprised. I feel… filled. With you.' She pressed her pelvis into his, and her eyes drifted closed. 'It is… delightful. Incredible. Delicious. Extraordinary. I cannot possibly choose just one word.'

Bloody hell, he couldn't even think of one word. He slowly withdrew, nearly all the way, before sinking deep inside her again, his breath a hiss of pleasure at the hot, slick friction. Another leisurely