Her eyes snapped open. “Hmm?” Yep, she was purring. No doubt about it.
“Do you have any idea how much I want you right now?” he rasped. He almost sounded like he was in pain. Like it was hard for him to talk.
“I…” She hesitated, wondering how much she should reveal. “I’ve never had a man want me before.”
“What kind of idiots are you hanging out with?”
She pulled in a deep breath, deciding to be honest. “Nik…” But she faltered, feeling foolish. God, why couldn’t she be more worldly and experienced like Nadia?
He pressed his lips against hers then whispered, “Tell me.”
Her stomach fluttered as she gazed up into his intense charcoal-gray eyes. “I’m not very, um, experienced.”
She didn’t miss the way his big body tensed.
“Meaning?”
“I’ve never had a serious boyfriend. Idiots, remember? Plus, I was always shy around guys and they probably thought I was stuck up.” She tried to make light of the situation, but embarrassment flooded her and she buried her face in his uninjured shoulder mumbling, “I’m a virgin.”
For a long moment, he didn’t say anything. Finally, he let out a low curse. His tone wasn’t angry, though. More like one of disbelief.
“Hey.” He moved back, trying to see her face, but she couldn’t look at him and pushed her nose right into his armpit. God, he smelled good. Like spice and musk and leather. “Why’re you hiding?”
She could hear the smile in his voice. He was amused and she was humiliated. Was he laughing at her?
“Because I’m embarrassed,” she said, voice muffled.
“Look at me.”
She couldn’t.
“Hey, up here.”
But when she shook her head, his voice took on a commanding tone.
“Mia…eyes…on…me.”
The way he demanded her attention made her melt and sizzle all at the same time. God, she liked it when he told her what to do in that deep, rough tone that brooked no argument and demanded complete compliance. She tilted her face up, meeting his serious gaze.
“Are you telling me no other man has touched you the way I just did?” His voice sounded thick and heavy. Like the cock pressing between her legs.
“Never,” she whispered.
Something unreadable flashed through his dark eyes. “I shouldn’t have touched you,” he ground out, but he didn’t move away. Just focused on her mouth. “But I’m an asshole, right?”
Before she could answer, he slammed his mouth against hers, almost too hard. The connection between them was strong, so potent she couldn’t do anything except succumb. Succumb to his lips, tongue and teeth, and the way he was molding his mouth to hers, forcing hers to comply. To commit. He was taking, pillaging. And as he licked his way down along her jaw, lightly nipping, it felt like he was conquering her. She could fight her overwhelming attraction, or submit.
As the wind roared outside and snow pelted against the windows, Mia decided to give in to the dragon.
When his big hand rounded over her breast, she arched up, offering more. Giving it all to him. If she was going to do this, there was no one else she’d pick. Nik Valentine exuded sex appeal and strength. He made her want things, dirty things she’d never contemplated before.
He lifted her shirt, tugging it off, and pulled the cups of her bra down. The cool air made her shiver, but then Nik’s hot mouth latched around a nipple and he sucked until her toes curled.
“Just so you know…I don’t think you’re an asshole,” she murmured, trying to focus as he grazed his teeth along the sensitive bud. “Not anymore.”
He swirled his tongue around one taut peak and then the other. “Oh, but I am,” he said without looking up as he continued worshiping her breasts. “Fuck, Mia, you have the most perfect pair of tits I’ve ever seen.”
“Um, thanks?”