She pulled back so he could see her face. “If you don’t kiss me soon, I’ll believe it’s you who doesn’t want it to happen.”

“Oh, baby, that’s so far from the truth. I’ve been aching for you all day, wanting to taste you and hold you. Can’t you tell?”

She stared into his eyes. He let her see his need. Within seconds, she melted, reached for him and whispered achingly, “Murphy, God… quit teasing. Really kiss me before I burst into flames.”

Intense desire grabbed hold as he lowered his mouth and took the first taste. Sweet Jesus, the woman could kiss. Her mouth opened and she welcomed him home.

His lips tingled with hunger as did the rest of his body. Hardening, his pants like a vise around the part of him that crowed with expectation, he moved to release some of the pressure. Plus, he wanted her next to him rather than trapped underneath.

Never would he scare her or imprison her in any way. For some reason, he had the feeling she wasn’t sexually active or hadn’t been very often.

Not that she was skittish or cold, but rather innocently aroused, more like a playful, loving puppy, willing to do whatever its master wanted.

His hands found the clip holding her hair. He undid it, smoothing his fingers through the mass of silk. He brought some to his face and smelled the essence that could turn his bones to liquid.

He kissed her again, caressing her neck, imprisoning her head. Then he stopped and held her head in place.

“You could break my heart, Katherine Edwards.” He didn’t know where the sentiment came from, yet he meant every word.

“And you already matter more than anyone else in my world, including myself.”

“Come here.”

She answered his craving with identical need. They kissed so long, her breathing became as harsh as his. She whimpered for more, and he gave her everything.

***

His hunger shattered every one of her reservations, her protections. He needed her. What woman could resist such a lure? When his hands loosened her hair and brought some to his face, she loved that he liked her smell.

When his tongue invaded her mouth, she welcomed him in every way she knew how.

And when his kisses began to lose control, it shattered her belief that she’d ever been kissed before. This man knew how to draw her very soul through her mouth, and she gave in willingly.

When his hands began to undress her, to open the buttons on her soft wool sweater, she helped him. When they moved to her jeans, she lifted her body to make it easy.

All the while, she stripped him too. Undoing the belt at his waist, her hand accidentally, on purpose, brushed against the bulge she couldn’t ignore.

His indrawn hiss let her know his sensitivity. And the delight in her power overheated her own body, discharging waves of wet pleasure.

Soon, he’d kissed every sweet spot on her skin’s surface. Some places more than once. From her breasts to her stomach and down to her ankles and back again. Next, he rolled her over to cover his nakedness, placed his hands on her chest and urged her to take her pleasure.

“I’m all yours, doll.”

By now, she was so wet, he slipped inside easily. Being stretched by his pulsating fullness provided satisfaction for both. Slowly at first, he moved within her, but she couldn’t stand the slick gliding pace. Hungrily, she pumped him with her hot needs, and he quickened his tempo.

Intoxicating pleasure built slowly. Temptingly near, yet not quite stimulated for orgasm, she pushed down to deepen his penetration.

Sensitized to the extreme, swells of arousal heightened the passion. Nearing a mind-altering experience, she listened as he encouraged with loving words in a hoarse voice breaking up with need, “Come to me, baby. Don’t hold back. I have you.”

She whimpered again. “My God. I’m burning.”

“Yes, that’s right. Burn for me.” His mouth reached up to suck her nipple. His wonderful warm hands grasped her ass in a way so possessive that the spasms began to tease. Straddled over him, impaled by him, she plunged yet again… and again, until waves of explosions, intense and pulsating, forced her head back as she came so powerfully, her mind altered on her visit to heaven.