Page 33 of Protected By the Gargoyle
A soft glow from his bedside table provided some light in the darkness. His chest was bare as was most of his body as all he wore was a pair of black boxers. Her gaze raked over every delicious muscle of his god-like physique, and her mouth turned dry. He was absolute perfection.
Or absolutely perfect for her.
She swallowed. “Yes.” She stared up at him, wanting to get closer. “Can I come in?”
“Of course.”
Once he closed the door, she stepped closer to him, so her body was merely an inch from his broad chest.
She motioned at the wall that separated their rooms. “I don’t want any barriers separating us any longer, Arto.”
“Neither do I.” His voice was a low rumble.
She gazed into his eyes, her pulse quickening at what she was about to say. It was a big step, one that would change their relationship forever. She took a deep breath and then confessed, “I want to be with you.”
When he reached for her cheek and caressed it, she leaned into his touch. “That’s all I ever wanted.”
“Really?”
“On my life.” His fingers trailed down her jawline and over her neck, leaving a delicious frisson of heat along her skin. Her heartbeat raced with anticipation.
“I want this,” she confided. “But I am a little nervous.” She swallowed. “I haven’t since…”
She didn’t have to finish the statement. He knew. The last time she’d been with anyone was an incubus—and he’d almost killed her.
Arto cupped her face with both hands and then stared into her eyes. “We’ll go as slow as you want. And we’ll stop if you get uncomfortable.”
She gulped and nodded, grateful for his enduring patience. That was one of the things she loved about him.
Love? Did she love him?
It was best not to think too far ahead. Not when all she wanted to do now was feel, to press her body against his and feel him there in the flesh. Safe.
She moved to her tiptoes to get closer to him. He bent down and brushed his lips against hers, barely a whisper of contact. She sighed and reached around to the back of his neck. His lips found hers, and they kissed. At first, it was slow and tentative. As desire flamed higher inside her core, she pressed her body against him.
He wrapped his arms around her—arms that fiercely protected her from the world. They were so tender now. Still protective, yet passionate, as he ran his hands down her back.
As their kiss grew more feverish, she lost herself in the moment. Every touch ignited more need.
He led her backward onto his bed, his touch alternating between gentle reverence and a possessive claim. When she leaned back, lowering her head to his pillow, he guided his hard body over hers and then paused, keeping the brunt of his weight off her.
His eyes were dark with passion yet still showed concern. “Did I crush you?”
Crush her? She wanted his body back on hers. Her body smoldered with longing, one that she’d never thought she’d feel for another. But with Arto, she felt safe, loved, even adored.
“No.” She pulled him back onto her. “Don’t stop.”
CHAPTER9
ARTO
Not a night went by without Arto visualizing having Janie here in his bed. He wondered if it would ever happen. Would she ever feel the desire that burned through him? Now that he had her in his arms, it grew ever more consuming, raging through him like an inferno blazing through a blizzard.
He yearned to mark every inch of her skin with his kiss, his touch, and erase the hideous memory of the monster who had deceived her. But he had to control his rampant desire and take it slow. He’d let her lead the pace.
So, when she rose and kissed him with a blistering passion, he was surprised. She grasped him with both hands and brought his body down on top of hers. Her hardened nipples grazed his chest. What agonizing bliss it was to hold her. Feel her lips on his. Her desire.
Forhim.
