Page 43 of Modern Romance Collection December 2024 Books 5-8

‘I feel dreadful,’ she said, confused now as well as embarrassed.

‘What for?’ he said. ‘Distracting me?’

He shifted in his seat. And she noticed the impressive bulge in his shorts. He was wearing another pair of those stretchy boxers she remembered from their wedding night—which left absolutely nothing to the imagination.

‘In fact, you’re still doing a great job of distracting me.’

‘I should put my robe back on,’ she said, suddenly aware she was practically naked... And so was he. ‘You’re in no condition to pursue this now,’ she said, attempting to be the sensible one.

But as she went to get off the couch, he snagged her wrist. ‘Don’t,’ he murmured.

The smile had gone, the intensity in his expression bringing the riot of sensations back with a vengeance.

She shivered, but it had nothing to do with her wet underwear.

His thumb pressed the thundering pulse point on her wrist. Making her brutally aware of the one still throbbing in her sex.

‘Fire higher,’ he commanded. Warmth enveloped her as the banked flames in the firepit flared. Orange flickers reflected in the dark brown of his irises, turning them to a rich chocolate.

‘I’m in the perfect condition to pursue this, Belle,’ he said his voice hoarse with need now. ‘I want to touch you.’

It didn’t sound like a question. ‘But what about your knee?’ she asked. ‘I don’t want to take advantage of you.’

His eyebrows rose up his forehead, then he chuckled. ‘I’d love you to take advantage of me,’ he said, the fierce light in his eyes brooking no more arguments. ‘But you need to know, stopping again might be a problem this time...’

‘I... I understand,’ she said. And for once she did.

This really didn’t have to be a big deal. At all. She’d made too much of the sex part of the equation, because of her inexperience. More than anything she wanted to see this through now, if only to defuse this terrifying need.

‘But just so you know,’ he added. ‘It’s not my knee that hurts right now.’

‘I’m glad,’ she said.

His eyes flared, dazzling her, as his grin became more than a little feral. ‘Me too,’ he murmured.

Shifting, he slipped one fingertip under her bra strap, eased it off her shoulder. Then dealt with the other. ‘You want to unhook it, Belle?’ he asked. ‘As much as I like the improvised swimwear, I’d prefer you out of it.’

She stood, her heart pressing into her throat. Clumsily, she released the hook and peeled off the wet lace. His gaze intensified and he let out an unsteady breath as the bra dropped to the floor.

‘You’re stunning,’ he murmured.

Her confidence swelled, along with the heat in her abdomen.

She could do this. However inexperienced she was, she could make him ache, too. The thought was so empowering, her excitement soared.

He patted one muscular thigh. ‘Sit on my lap.’

‘But won’t that hurt your leg?’

‘Belle,’ he said, his expression rueful. ‘Believe me, you’ll hurt me a lot more if you don’t.’

She choked out a laugh. ‘Okay, if you’re sure.’

She stepped over him, careful not to jar his sore leg, and settled on top of him, aware of the thick ridge pressing against the molten spot in her panties.

He groaned as she found herself rubbing against it. ‘Careful,’ he said. ‘Or this is going to be over too soon.’

‘Oh... I’m sorry,’ she said, trying to shift back. But he banded one strong arm around her hips, holding her in place.

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