Page 7 of His Unexpected Heir

“Tell me to stop!” he urged, needing her “no” in order to break this insanity.

“Don’t you dare stop!” she whispered back, her arms tightening around his neck.

And that was the end of his restraint. Carrying her through the suite, he lowered her down on to the bed and stripped her clothes off all the while, caressing her, smoothing his hands over her satiny soft skin. She was so perfect, so soft and curvaceous that he couldn’t think beyond this moment. When she removed his shirt as well, moaning with every caress, their passion ignited to an inferno. There was no talking. Just touching, exploring, and tasting.

He pulled away from Astra’s mouth, needing to explore her. She was so soft and her moans were driving him wild. He kissed her neck, discovering several pulse points that made her arch into his arms. Her breasts, so perfect and soft, pressed against his chest and his hands moved from her bottom, around to the front of her, cupping one perfect breast while his other hand tugged at her hair, pulling her head back so that he could nibble at the soft spot at the base of her throat.

That wasn’t the only thing pulsing, he knew. His thumb skimmed over her nipple and she cried out. Astra grabbed his hand and Antonio thought she was going to demand that he stop. But her fingers grabbed his thumb, moving his digit over her nipple again and again. He lifted his head, watching her hand guide his fingers and he nearly lost control.

Lowering his head, he tasted that delicious nipple, his lips brushing over the tip. Then his mouth closed over the turgid tip, lathing it with his tongue. She cried out again, arching against him while her hips shifted against his almost painful erection.

He lost control then. Shifting against her, he pressed her legs further apart and released his shaft from the confines of his boxers. He didn’t have the time to strip naked. This was Astra. Antonio couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t wanted her. And now, poised at her opening, he stared down at her. He almost asked if she was sure, but in that moment, she moaned, grabbing his hips and lifting her own, begging for him.

There was nothing he could do but thrust into her. She was tight! So damn tight! And the heat within her pink folds made him groan with pleasure. She shifted, arching against him again. He kissed her, then started moving inside of her, thrusting and testing to find out how she liked to be stroked. But Astra was frantic now. So was he, if he’d had the mental capacity to think clearly. But clear thinking was long gone. It was only sensation now. Pleasure poured through both of them. She lifted her hips, matching every thrust with her body clenching around him and it was the most amazing sensory experience he’d ever had.

When he knew he was about to lose control, he moved his hand from her breast to that nub between her legs, rubbing gently with his thumb, accentuating every thrust with a slide of the pad of his thumb. Their breathing quickened, the only sounds were his moans and her gasps of pleasure. When she pressed her hand against his thumb, showing him, he followed her silent instruction and…!

Watched with fascination as she cried out, her body clenching tightly around his shaft. It took only two more thrusts before he joined her in that oblivion of pleasure.

When it was all over, he stared down into her eyes, waiting for her to react. When she smiled, Antonio was relieved. He hadn’t hurt her with the intensity of his lovemaking.

“Beautiful!” she whispered dreamily.

Antonio smiled, relieved, then gently kissed her. “I’ll be right back.” He pulled slowly out of her, already regretting the loss of their intimate connection. But he headed to the bathroom, aware of her eyes on him.

Stripping off the remainder of his clothes, he washed, thinking about going back to Astra and doing that all over again. He wanted to taste her. All of her! There was so much he wanted to know about her. But was she sore?

Turning, he hurried back into the bedroom, naked now, and fully prepared to start all over again.

But when he found Astra in the bed, he noticed she’d curled up on her side, still naked, and was sound asleep.

Smiling, he gently lifted her into his arms and pulled the bedding away, tucking her carefully under the covers. She sighed in her sleep, whispering his name. When he slipped into the bed behind her, pulling her into his arms, she snuggled against him, throwing her leg over his and shifting until she was comfortable. Astra didn’t wake up as he turned out the lights, smiling to himself as he thought about waking her up in a few hours to start all over again.

Chapter 3

Astra stretched and rolled onto her side, staring up at the ceiling as she tried to remember where she was. Feeling better than she had in several days, she made a mental note to…!

Turning, she looked into the sleeping face of Antonio, the future Marquesso del Campo!

“What have I done?” she gasped, staring down at the man’s shockingly long, dark lashes. He was still sound asleep, his features relaxed and peaceful. Astra silently noted that she’d never seen this man so relaxed before. There was always an aura of tension around Antonio. It was almost as if he needed to challenge the world and win every obstacle placed before him.

But now, seeing him like this, she wondered. About the man beneath the expensive suits and mocking expressions. What was he really like? What had he been like as a child? What were his favorite foods? Did he like sweets? Or was he more of a savory person? Wine or beer? And why were there scars on his back? She remembered feeling them last night, but had been too overwhelmed to question him at the time. Now, those scars were yet another mystery surrounding this complicated man.

She realized that she wanted to know everything about him. Over the past several weeks, while preparing for Sheik Zahir’s wedding, she’d had sporadic conversations with Antonio. Plus, there were the overheard conversations while Antonio and Zahir were discussing various business deals. She didn’t understand all of what she heard, but she knew enough to recognize that there were billions of dollars being discussed. Antonio had arrived in Sidrina during Sheik Zahir’s quest for a wife. Mandy and Raven had helped him realize the truth: that Zahir was madly in love with Mandy, the forensic accountant he’d hired to investigate the financial backgrounds of potential candidates.

Astra had heard enough conversations to know that there was a lot more to the challenges facing Antonio. Something…dark and dangerous. Something he tried to hide from the world. But Astra had occasionally seen beneath the mask. She’d seen the real man. And her heart had twisted at the occasional pain and anger she’d seen there.

Touching his cheek, she wondered what he would do if she were to kiss him awake. For the first time in her life, Astra wanted to touch a man. She wanted to run her fingers down his chest, to see him stretch, open his eyes, and…hopefully, smile at her.

But…what if he regretted last night? During all of their flirty conversations over the past week, they hadn’t discussed a sexual relationship. What if last night was just…just a one-time thing?

Her heart ached at the thought. Could she risk it? Could she put her heart out there?

No. She was still too tired from working twenty hour days for the past three weeks and her wounded heart couldn’t withstand rejection. Not from him. Antonio was the first man who had gotten under her defenses.

It was better if she just…left with the precious memories of last night.

Slipping from his arms, she pushed the covers away. It took her several precious moments to gather her clothing. But once dressed, Astra tiptoed out of the bedroom. She still didn’t have a key to her room, but hopefully, she could figure out where to get one. Plus, she needed to check in with the chef to make sure the post-wedding breakfast was still on schedule. There were several entertainments today for any of the guests who weren’t able or ready to leave immediately. Astra had arranged for a group horseback riding adventure for the early risers, an archery contest, several yard games, and card games for the remaining guests.

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