His hands left the tempting enticement of her bottom and moved up, exploring her curves, then her rib cage, until the sides of her full breasts pressed against his palms. She gasped his name when his thumbs drew slow circles around her silk-covered nipples.
He filled his hands with her breasts, gently caressing their aroused tips through the filmy material of her gown, watching her face all the while. Her cheeks darkened and her eyes drifted closed when he slipped his fingers inside the scoop neck of her nightgown and touched her sensitive skin.
'Look at me, Elizabeth,' he ordered softly, his fingers lightly playing over her nipples. 'I want to see your eyes.'
She dragged her lids open and gazed at him with a glazed slumberous expression. Slipping his fingers beneath the thin straps of her gown, he slowly lowered it down her body.
Inch by inch she was revealed to him, a slow, sensual torture as his desire for her grew. High, full breasts, aroused rosy nipples thrusting forward, begging for his touch. A small waist gave way to gently rounded hips. The gown slipped from his fingers and fell to her ankles, revealing a tempting nest of auburn curls at the juncture of her thighs and long slender legs that seemed to go on forever. He instantly imagined those legs wrapped around his waist and desire exploded in him.
'Elizabeth… you're beautiful… perfect.' He'd known she would be lovely, but she literally knocked the air from his lungs. Bending, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed and gently laid her down. He removed his clothes as quickly as his unsteady hands would allow, then stretched out next to her.
She immediately propped herself up on her elbows, her avid gaze wandering down the length of him. He forced himself to remain still and allow her to look her fill.
'I've never seen a naked man before,' she said her gaze touching him everywhere, scorching his flesh.
'I'm glad to hear it.'
She stared at his arousal, which swelled to the point of pain at her scrutiny. 'Tell me, are all men as… impressive as you?'
'I'm afraid I couldn't say,' he ground out, although he couldn't imagine that any man had ever been as hard as he was at this moment. And she hadn't even touched him.
He needed to feel her, taste her. In his arms, in his mouth. Now.
Gently pushing her back on the pillows, he lowered his head and drew a plump nipple between his lips. Gasping, she twined her fingers through his hair and arched her back, offering more of herself to his questing mouth. He answered her silent plea, lavishing his attention on one breast then the other with his lips and tongue.
'Oh, my,' she breathed. 'I feel so…' Her voice trailed off into a vaporous sigh.
He raised his head. 'So… what?' The vision of her, with her magnificent hair spread all around her nipples damp and erect from his tongue, her eyes dark with passion, nearly undid him.
'So warm. And quivery. And wanting…' She moved restlessly, and he clenched his teeth when her soft belly brushed against his manhood.
God yes, he understood those feelings, only he was burning. And shaking. And desperate. Never had he wanted a woman this much-so much that his hands trembled. So much he couldn't think straight.
His hands drifted over her abdomen and a long sigh escaped her. 'Spread your legs for me,' he whispered in her ear. She complied opening her thighs to allow him access to the most private part of her.
The instant he touched her, they both groaned. With infinite care, he aroused her with a light, circular motion until her hips began to undulate beneath his hand stoking a growing fire within him that soon threatened to overcome his resolve to go slowly.
Very gently he eased a finger into her. Velvety warmth clutched him. She was so tight… so hot and wet. His arousal jerked in response and a fine sheen of perspiration broke out on his forehead.
Their eyes met and held. Reaching up, she tenderly touched his face. 'Austin…'
He'd imagined that hearing her breathe his name in that husky, passion-filled voice would excite him, but the reality stole his remaining control. Positioning himself between her thighs, he slowly, reverently entered her until he reached her maidenhead. He tried to ease through the barrier without causing her pain, but it was impossible. Knowing what had to be done, and unable to wait any longer, he grasped her hips between his hands and thrust, burying himself deep inside her.
Her gasp slashed straight through his heart. 'I'm so sorry, darling,' he whispered somehow finding the strength to remain perfectly still. 'Did I hurt you?'
'Only for a second. Mostly, you surprised me.' A small smile played around her lips. 'Wonderfully surprised me. Please don't stop.'
He needed no second invitation. Propping his weight on his hands, he slid slowly in and out of her wet heat, withdrawing until he almost left her, only to plunge deeply back into her warmth. Her gaze remained riveted on his, and he watched every nuance of pleasure flicker in her golden brown depths. Her hips moved in rhythm with his and he gritted his teeth, fighting for control, determined to bring her to pleasure before he found his own release. But for the first time in his life he found that to be a nearly impossible task. Sweat beaded on his skin and his shoulders ached with the strain expended to delay his climax.
When she tightened around him, he watched mesmerized. She arched her back and gave herself over totally to her passion. Her uninhibited reaction was so incredible, so erotic to watch, he lost his battle for control. Incapable of further restraint, he plunged into her, pulsing for an endless, mindless moment, spilling himself into her warmth.
When his throbbing finally subsided he gathered her into his arms and rolled them onto their sides. They molded together in a perfect, breathtaking fit. She hugged him and nestled her head under his chin, pressing her lips to the damp skin of his throat.
Her tender kiss caressed him and his insides constricted with the 'Elizabeth feeling.' His breathing was still ragged and he forced himself to take slow, deep breaths. She laid her hand over his thudding heart and snuggled more securely against him.
God. She felt so damn good. And she was
It took quite some time for his heart rate to resume its regular speed and since she was so uncharact- eristically quiet, he thought she'd fallen asleep. He leaned back a bit, to look down at her, and was surprised when she raised her chin and looked directly into his eyes. Her golden brown gaze was serious and unflinching.
'I must tell you, Austin, that nothing in my studies of anatomy prepared me for the wondrous sensations we just shared.'
She captured his hand pressing his palm against her cheek, then kissing it. 'It was as if I were on fire, and you'd lit the match. Like I'd fallen off a cliff and drifted slowly back to earth surrounded by soft clouds. It felt as if our souls had joined.' She shook her head and furrowed her brow. 'Does that make any sense?'
He'd never felt anything that remotely resembled what he'd felt while making love to this woman. Never before had he been consumed by this wave of fierce possessive-ness. Or this incredible feeling of tenderness.
'It makes perfect sense,' he said. 'And it gets even better.'
She looked startled then intrigued by his words.
'I'd be delighted to show you.'
Elizabeth gasped in surprise when he rolled onto his back and she suddenly found herself sitting astride his muscular thighs. Looking down at him, her heart stalled. Dear God he was the most beautiful man she'd ever seen.
'It would appear that you have the upper hand wife,' he said with a wicked half smile. 'I wonder what you plan to do about it?' Linking his hands together behind his head he watched her with glittering, smoky eyes.
Her gaze traveled slowly downward, studying his fascinating male body. The whirls of dark hair covering his chest narrowed to a thin line that ran down his abdomen, then spread again as it continued lower.
Gazing upon that part of him, her breath caught in her throat. His arousal rose hard and erect, the sight utterly captivating and intriguing. She longed to touch him… touch that part of him… touch all of him. She slowly brought her gaze back to his heated stare.
