Page 74 of Modern Romance Collection February 2025, 5-8

‘It changes the way everyone else does. It changed me.’

‘What’s outside isn’t important. You’re kind. You care about your staff, charity—they’re the things of value.Whoyou are inside.’

He reached down to the top button of her jacket and raised an eyebrow, preparing her for the question to come. ‘Allow me?’

The corners of her mouth lifted in a trembling smile. He would kiss every scar on her body, every imperfection as she perceived it, to bring a true smile to her face. His fingers weren’t as steady as they could be on the buttons because of the anticipation and part concern about needing to manage her fears in a way that would heal and not hurt. What if he got it wrong? He tried not to think of it and concentrated only on her.

Ana’s jacket fell open to an elegant, embroidered camisole underneath. He held his breath in anticipation. She flinched a little and he was unsure whether it was pain or fear of what he might see, so he took it slowly, sliding the fabric from her shoulders. The scar revealed itself, marring the top of her left arm. Parts were thicker than normal skin, raised and red.

‘Does it hurt? Doesanythingstill hurt?’ He wanted to give her pleasure, not cause her pain.

‘Not really. Not any more.’

He knew, though, how emotional wounds could cause more pain than the physical. He had years of experience. Aston leaned down and kissed the still angry-looking skin.

‘Anywhere else?’ he asked. ‘I’ll kiss each one.’

She shook her head. ‘I needed you when I was covered in bruises.’

An ache bloomed in his chest. Had anyone looked after her at all when she’d been hurting?

‘I can go one better. I’ll strip you bare now and kiss every part of your body till the concept of pain leaves your consciousness for ever and all that’s left is pleasure. You, crying out my name to the room.’

Her lips opened, almost as if in shock at his promise.‘Oh.’

It could have been the low light, but her pupils were huge and dark, drowning out the pale blue of her eyes. He bent down and slid a hand behind the swell of one of her calves. Aston eased off one nude stiletto and did the same to the other. Held out his hand and she placed hers in it without hesitation. He helped her up and undid the zip of her skirt. It slipped to the floor, leaving her in the exquisite camisole and panties of fine French lace. She was every fantasy brought to life. He wrapped his arms round her, kissed her. Let Ana feel just how much he wanted her. The kiss deepened and she began to grind herself against him. Needy, wanton. Clearly craving more than he was giving her.

Good.

He wanted her desperate, out of control, to stop her mind thinking and allow her body to take control, to take over.

‘Lie back on the bed,’ he murmured in her ear, kissing down her neck till she moaned. His hands stroked her back, goose bumps blooming on her skin. Aston backed her to the side of the bed and she sank into the soft covers, head on the plush pillows, lips apart as if there wasn’t enough air in the room to catch a breath.

He held her gaze as he kicked off his own shoes. Slowly undid his shirt, tugged it from his trousers. Dropped it to the floor. Her breaths became audible. The shuddering inhale, the soft exhale. He undid his trousers and pushed them down his legs. He left his underwear on for now, so Ana could take time to get used to the idea of him, how they would fit together. His body objected, wanting to be free of the constraints of the tight fabric.

Patience.

Her eyes widened as he allowed her to take her fill. Aston sucked in his own steadying breath as she stared at him, his torso, his arousal. Once he thought she’d seen enough, he took off his socks and moved beside her. He breathed the scent of her in, like the sweetest of spring roses.

‘The kissing all over starts now,’ he said, in part-anticipation, part-warning. He gently lifted the camisole over her head and dropped it beside them. Her bra matched her panties, sheer, delicate lace, her nipples straining against it.

‘Someone looks to be needing attention,’ he said, dropping his mouth to one nipple, then the next, tonguing their tight peaks in turn till Ana writhed underneath him. Driving his own need higher and harder. He unclipped her bra and tossed it away. Cupped her breasts and rubbed his thumbs over her nipples as she arched back, panting. He dropped his head to her throat, trailing his lips down her body. Then he heard it, the breathless chanting of, ‘Please, please...’

‘I know what you need, Princess. Let me give it to you.’

His lips seemed to burn against her skin as he kissed down her body. He hooked his fingers into her panties, inching them down her legs as she struggled to get free of them. Once off her body, he rid himself of his own underwear, gritting himself against the feel of the coverlet on his overheated flesh.

She’d come first. He’d ensure it. Aston lowered his head to between her legs, splayed open as if inviting him. He kissed there, breathing in the heady scent of her own arousal, which made his head spin.Mon Dieu, theneedfor her... It clawed at him, demanded he rush to be inside her like some wild and rabid beast. He’d not experienced anything like it. He wanted to let it off the leash, to simplytake.

But this was her first time, not the last time. He could be gentle, reverent, take his time and make her wait. It was what she deserved, the glorious mindlessness of pleasure. He used his tongue and his mouth to drive her higher and higher till she began to moan. He toyed at her entrance with his fingers, marvelling at how slick and wet she was, all for him. She began to beg once more, so he slid one finger inside, joined by another, in and out. Her breaths were mere pants. Ana was reduced to a creature of desire and feeling, and nothing more. It was a marvel to see her unbound, like some miracle. Then he curled his fingers inside and found a spot that made her stiffen. He concentrated on her clitoris and sucked. Her breathing stopped, then she threw her head back and wailed his name...

Just as he’d promised she would.

Everything exploded in a shower of light and sensation. Ana had never experienced anything like it. Time held no meaning bar this one, perfect moment. She floated as wave after wave of pleasure swamped her body. Drifting, untethered, but in a way thatfreedher. Then slowly she seemed to come back into herself. Her nerves still shimmering, over-sensitive.

She was aware of Aston sitting up briefly, opening the drawer of his bedside table. Protection. Then he returned, his kisses gentle, coaxing, setting her on fire again when she’d thought the pleasure of the moments before had extinguished it. She ran her hands over his muscular body, relishing how warm he was, how strong and sure. Relishing the contrast between her and him, the stiff hairs on his chest, arms and legs, rough against her skin. And even though her world had exploded around her, she still felt empty and wanting.

Aston rose over her. She parted her legs and he settled between them, forearms either side of his head, his thumbs stroking her temples.

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