Page 55 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

‘Take your clothes off, Portia.’

Disappointment surprised her. ‘You don’t want to do it?’ She’d imagined his hands on her.

His nostrils flared on a deep breath. ‘You don’t know how much. But I don’t trust myself.’ He shrugged off his jacket and tossed it onto a nearby chair. ‘It’s better that you do it.’

The thought of him teetering on the edge of control only made her need flare brighter. She followed his lead, slipping out of her jacket and draping it carefully over the back of the chair. In a few hours she’d leave here and she refused to do it looking crumpled and thoroughly debauched, even though she suspected that’s exactly how she’d feel.

Excitement skidded through her, making her fumble as she struggled with the zip of her skirt. By the time she’d laid her skirt across the chair, Lex was shirtless, his feet bare.

Portia couldn’t stop a gasp of appreciation. He’d always been handsome, and charismatic with his quicksilver energy. Now he’d filled out, taller, broader, more potently masculine than she remembered. The sight of his leanly muscled torso dried her mouth and drew her touch.

His rich olive skin was hot, the sprinkle of dark hair across his pectoral muscles teased her palms. His brown nipples were tight buds, almost as tight as her own that pushed hard and swollen against her bra.

Her hands trembled as she slipped them across his hot chest, yet her touch was sure and possessive.

She wanted him so badly, needed to claim him.

She leaned in, pressing a kiss to the hollow at the centre of his collarbone, then following his sternum down. His chest rose massively, his indrawn breath a hiss. Elation filled her, knowing he was so susceptible to her touch.

Portia nuzzled his skin, peppering tiny kisses over him, exulting in the way his hands tightened on her hips, anchoring her to him. She reached a nipple, laved it and felt the ripple of his response under his skin. She closed her teeth around him, nipping delicately.

‘Enough!’

Strong hands moved to her shoulders, putting some distance between them. ‘You need to be naked.’

His deep voice was a growl that seemed to have a direct connection to her womb. Internal muscles clenched convulsively at the sound of his voice.

‘You first.’

She reached for the fastening of his trousers but he beat her to it, whipping it undone with satisfying speed. A moment later, as he stepped free of his clothes, Portia gawked at the most stunning form she’d ever seen. His torso tapered down to narrow hips, his musculature impressive, with only an appendix scar to mar what looked like perfection.

His erection proudly defied gravity, as solid and strong as the rest of him.

Dark hair dusted powerful thighs, his legs long and even his bare feet somehow sexy.

It had been years since she’d let herself remember Lex’s body in any detail. Now she felt awed.

‘Your turn.’

Without giving herself time to think, Portia hooked her thumbs through the waistband of her pantyhose and dragged it down, catching her underwear on the way. She slid the fabric down her thighs, past her knees and finally off her feet.

Lex watched with absolute concentration, his gaze tracking the movement. Then, when she straightened, she saw his attention fix on the hemline of her white blouse that hung just low enough to preserve her modesty.

If there’d been any moisture in her mouth she’d have laughed at the idea of modesty. She felt daring and free for the first time in years.

It turned out sexual arousal could block out mundane concerns about making ends meet.

She loved the way he swallowed convulsively, the twitch of his hands as if he wanted to reach for her. His erection bobbed as if eager for her.

Portia reached out but before she could touch, Lex took a step back and sat down abruptly on the bed, reaching for the box of condoms without once taking his eyes off her. ‘Time for protection.’

She watched him tear open a packet, then roll on the condom, wishing it was her touching him.

Suddenly she couldn’t wait. Her hands went to the buttons of her blouse. Surely there were more buttons than usual? She fumbled a little but finally got it undone, turning to drape it with shaking hands over her jacket.

When she turned back her heart leapt. Lex sat on the side of the bed, knees open, eyes so hot she felt tiny ignition points under her skin as fire erupted. He beckoned. ‘Let me, golden girl.’

Golden girl.

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