Page 23 of Raising His Baby (The Sartoris 2)

His palm cupped her cheek. Her knees grew weak.

“Talk to me, Sonya.”

Wow, she liked how he said her name, with that sexy lilt. An impulse came over her to hear him speak to her in Italian while they lay in each other’s arms. The panting grew worse.

“Sonya.”

His tone turned sharper. Something told her she wasn’t getting away with ignoring his question or telling him it was nothing. She let her gaze skitter over his broad shoulders. He was too close to take in all of him, but she had studied his incredible form, hidden behind his clothes. Desire drove her to want to see all of him with no barriers between them. Yet, she was afraid. Her fear had nothing to do with her heart, although that was another concern she had better stay on top of.

“I-I’ve only ever dated men my size. Not on purpose. It just always seemed to happen that way. Look at me. I hardly come up to your knees.”

He chuckled. “You’re not that short.”

“No, but I am small, and you’re huge.”

His eyebrow rose.

“I don’t mean—”

He grew serious. “I know, and I assure you. We’ll go as slowly as you need us to. I’ve never hurt a lover, and I don’t intend to start with you. Trust me to bring us both pleasure.”

Trust him, he said. But she knew what he meant. His words were comforting, yet they didn’t take away her fear. She’d seen evidence of Romy’s attraction after he kissed her and had a sneaking suspicion he outclassed her former lovers in every way imaginable. That was what scared the crap out of her the most, but she refused to say so.

“I’ve never backed down from a challenge even if I was nervous about it.” She rested a hand in the center of his chest and felt the rapid beat of his heart. If she looked down, she knew she’d discover just how much he wanted her. She could put on a brave face and act all big and bold, but she was scared. This was ridiculous. There wasn’t anything to be afraid of. She believed him when he said he would be gentle and take things slow.

His hands cupped her waist, and he leaned over until his forehead touched hers. Automatically, she stretched up on her toes to meet him halfway. A little more tilting of her head and her lips brushed his. Their noses bumped, but it wasn’t a clumsy move, more like the start of their exploration of each other.

Romy slanted his head and moved his lips to her jawline. He paused, breathing deep. She shut her eyes and enjoyed a few minutes of his touch. When one of his large hands moved from her hip to the center of her back to draw her close, she stiffened.

“No, don’t tense up,” he ordered.

“Kind of hard not to.”

“My size can be a positive thing.”

She swallowed. “We still talking about your height?”

A rumble of laughter tickled her cheek. Our of nowhere he whipped her off her feet and held her against his body. She squeaked in alarm, but she refused to fight him. He crushed her body to his, and it was as if she could make out every hard muscle, every ripple of taut flesh that touched hers.

“The best way might be to take you all at once,” he said.

She croaked, but couldn’t get words out.

“That way we sweep your concerns away and show you there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Oh, there’s plenty, believe me.”

She licked her lips when he let her slide down his length a bit, and she began to feel a lot more. Daring to look into his eyes, she caught the glitter of excitement.

“I’ll admit you’re driving me nuts,” he said.

“Did you give in because you’re sure Arron is yours?”

He shook his head. “We’re not talking about him right now.”

“This is a bit awkward.”

“Is it?” He wrapped her legs around his waist and continued to hold her. She was at his mercy and didn’t want to get down. He carried her over to the bed, and she discovered it was one of those high ones a short person like her would need a step stool to climb up on.

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