Their movements were slightly clumsy. Both of them were out of practice, and they were almost strangers. Alongside the intensity, there was a desire to gauge each other’s likes and needs, to know when to speed up or slow down, and how far was too far. For Leon, the answer to that last one was simple. Never too far. He couldn’t get enough of her.
When they finally broke apart, he stared down at her. With her parted lips, flushed cheeks, and half-closed eyes, she took his breath away. He wanted to cling to this moment. Breathless, reckless, aching... All of those things were proof he was alive. More than that, they were about Flora. She was the one who had revived him.
Even so, the doubts crept in. “I’m still not sure either of us is ready—”
Flora shook her head. “For what? A walk down the aisle? Promises of forever? I agree.” She sucked in a breath. “But I don’t want to sleep alone tonight, Leon.”
He gave a soft laugh. “I don’t imagine we’d do much sleeping.”
“There’s only one way to find out.” Flora’s tilted chin and sparkling eyes were a challenge. One he wasn’t going to refuse.
He moved his hands down from her shoulders to her upper arms. “There’s just one problem.”
Her brow furrowed. “What’s that?”
“I’ve been celibate for the last four years. I’ve had no need of protection, and I’m clean out.”
“And I came off birth control.” She started to laugh. “So here we are. Two doctors who can’t get laid tonight because we have no access to protection.”
“We could improvise.” Leon moved his hands down to her hips.
“What did you have in mind, Dr. Sinclair?” Her eyes were teasing.
“Rather than stand around here talking, Dr. Monroe, why don’t I give you a demonstration?” With one swift movement, he scooped her up into his arms. Flora gave a little gasp, then wound her arms around his neck.
As Tiny bounded eagerly forward to follow them out of the kitchen, Leon shook his head. “Stay.” The dog slithered to a reluctant halt and, heaving a canine sigh, slunk back to his bed.
“My God,” Leon said. “The world just took a turn for the better. Tiny did as he was told.”
“Ahem.” Flora leaned back to get a look at his face. “The world took a turn for the better for that reason?”
He swung around, heading for the stairs. “I told you I was out of practice. Is talking about the dog not a valid seduction technique?”
Shaking with laughter, she buried her face in the curve of his neck. “You may be out of practice, but you’re not doing so bad.”
Leon set Flora on her feet and closed the bedroom door, the smile in his eyes warming every part of her.
The room was cozy, furnished in a traditional style with burnished wood and patterned rugs and throws. When Leon closed the drapes and switched on a bedside lamp, golden light illuminated the scene. He lost no time in coming back to stand before her.
“Sure this is what you want?”
“So much.” It was true. There was no more room for doubt. It was there in his eyes as well as in her words.
Slowly, she undid the buttons of the white work blouse she hadn’t found time to change out of. Holding his gaze with her own, she took her time. One by one. When the last button was undone, the garment fell open, revealing the swell of her breasts above her cream-colored lace bra. With a shrug of her shoulders, she let the blouse slip to the floor.
She hadn’t planned to put on a show, but the flare in Leon’s eyes as he watched her ignited an answering response deep and low in her core. She wanted to be on display before him, wanted to be responsible for the hungry look on his face.
Reaching behind her, she undid the clasp of her bra. Catching the lacy cups as they fell forward, she paused a moment before dropping her hands and tugging the straps free of her shoulders. Even though the room was warm, her nipples tightened instantly. Was it anticipation? Or the appreciation in Leon’s gaze as he drew in a ragged breath? Possibly it was a combination of both.
Flora turned half-away from him to ease down the zipper at the side of her skirt. When she stepped out of it, she was wearing only a pair of high-cut lace panties and her black heels. This time Leon’s sharp intake of breath was accompanied by a muttered half-curse. He took a step closer at the same time that Flora bent forward to slip off her underwear. Excitement thrilled through her as he leaned over and placed a kiss on her right shoulder.
“Oh.” She let go of a long sigh, leaning her head back against his chest as he lifted his hands to her hair. Fumbling slightly, he found the pins that held her chignon in place and removed them. Flora shivered as he swiped her curls aside and his lips whispered over the back of her neck. There was something incredibly decadent about being naked while Leon was fully dressed.
“You’re beautiful.” The smile in his voice, the husky warmth, the total lack of hesitation all added to her desire.
“Mmm,” Flora murmured dreamily as he ran his fingers through her hair. It was as if his touch released the tension of the day, and she savored the moment. Slowly, he turned her to face him.
With his hands on her hips he drew her in close and placed his lips on hers. The kiss was long, deep, and unhurried. When they parted, Leon looked as shaken as Flora felt.
She couldn’t begin to describe the emotions he aroused in her. She had never felt more alive than in this moment with his eyes on her body. Appreciating her. Wanting her. Needing her. This was their time, their
