Page 25 of Richard

“You were at Bianca’s meeting with some woman, a relative, I think. I was upstairs and noticed you the minute you arrived. There was something intriguing about you, and I could not take my eyes off you.”

She was shaken by that and felt her heart somersaulting inside her chest. “She was my sister.” She whispered.

“The conversation was intense,” he continued, his eyes on hers. “I could tell there was tension there–”

“She– uhm– she wanted me to forgive her.”

He nodded. “She betrayed you with that spineless bastard.”

She stared at him, her eyes wide. “I– it’s difficult to talk about.”

“And I understand.” His voice was earnest. “You don’t have to mention it; I would prefer if you never talked about that son of a bitch. I want to pulverize him for causing you pain.” His hands gripped her biceps.

“Let me make love to you, Collette. Let me make you forget and put it behind you. Use me to get over your pain.” His face was harsh with passion. “Christ, I am not accustomed to begging, but here I am, doing just that. I cannot allow you to just leave without making a commitment.

I will give you a week–”He pressed his lips and shook his head. “And even that is going to kill me.” His expression softened, and she didn’t resist when he curved a hand around her cheek.

“Let me heal you with my body. I am availing myself to you, to be used in any way you choose.”

“For how long?” Her voice was husky, her body swaying toward him unconsciously. She was hypnotized by not only his words but his deep voice as well.

“I cannot put a timeline on it. All I know is that I have never needed anyone the way I need you.” His thumb stroked her bottom lip slowly, sending shards of desire throughout her body. He was evoking feelings inside her that she never knew existed.

When she was with Trevor, their love had been a love that was gentle and uncomplicated. She was not heavy on experience when it comes to sex. Trevor had been her first, and she had remained faithful to him.

After years of trying to come to grips with the hurt and incredible pain, she had ventured out, but it hadn’t worked. The sex had been a disaster, and the guy had accused her of being cold and frigid. She had tried one more time and it had been the same.

After that, she had convinced herself that they were right. She had obviously lost whatever sexuality she had possessed and not even bothered.

But now, she was feeling this raging fever inside her that was swamping her. She felt alive, more than she had ever felt in her entire life. And she was frightened by the intensity of it.

“I can’t.” She whispered.

“You can.” His fingers gripped her chin, a determined look stamped on his attractive face. He was not prepared to let her get away by running from him. Bending his head, he brushed her lips with his and felt the tremors racking her body.

“Let me love you," he whispered, his warm breath an evocative reminder of what his tongue had done to her mouth.

“Please stop," her voice was faint, her breathing ragged.

“Say yes.” He nibbled on her lush bottom lip and had her sighing raggedly. Realizing that she was not resisting, he used his tongue, just the tip of it, to soothe the slight sting.

“Please.” He punctuated each word by sliding his tongue inside her mouth. His hand drifted to her derriere, pressing her against his center. She was slender, but her curves were pronounced. He ran his hand over the material, wanting desperately to get rid of it so that he could get to her skin.

She opened her mouth, helplessly, her body arching toward his. She was starving. It had been a very long time for her, and even before now, she had never experienced anything this potent or this delicious. He was barely kissing her and yet, she felt as if she was being burned from the inside out.

“Say yes," he repeated thickly. “I am losing control here Collette. You are about to drive me out of my mind.” He kissed her deeply, his tongue plunging into her mouth with a suddenness that had her clinging to him to steady herself.

She returned the kiss with all the pent-up emotions she had kept under lock and key. Suddenly she was bursting with so many emotions, she could not contain them.

Her body ached to be taken by him; her skin felt as if it no longer belonged to her. She was feverish with a need that was beyond her.

Wrapping her hands around his neck, she gave into the feelings swamping her and pressed herself against him.

He felt her resistance slipping away, and with a tortured groan, he gathered her close, his hands racing up and down her back. He walked her backward toward the sofa and, without ending the kiss, pressed her down until he was on top of her.

His tongue made carnal love to her mouth. His long body was stretched out full length on hers, his rigid arousal pressing into the snug warmth of hers.

Lifting his mouth from hers, he stared into liquid dark brown eyes and felt as if his heart was bursting through his chest.

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