Page 55 of Bite at First Sight

He remained silent for the longest time, a strange and unreadable expression playing across his exotic face. “Yes, I would like to go upstairs…very much indeed.”

At least he hasn’t developed an aversion to my touch, she consoled herself as she followed him up the stairs to the bedchamber. And at least I will enjoy the feel of his glorious body for a little while longer. The secret place between her thighs throbbed in remembrance of last night’s erotic encounter.

The door closed behind them and the sound of the lock clicking into place made Cassandra freeze. Rafe hadn’t locked the door since he’d begun sleeping next to her in the bed.

“Well, my lady, shall I assist you with your gown?” he asked softly.

Her pulse accelerated. Did he want her out of her clothing, or was he simply being helpful?

“Y-yes, thank you.” She turned around before he could see her flaming cheeks.

With unbearable slowness, he worked the buttons free, lingering on each one like a caress. Gently, he pulled down the dress, his fingers trailing down her body. Heat pulsed between her thighs at his touch. Then he went to work on her stays. Cassandra bit back a gasp. By the time she was down to her chemise, she was trembling.

Biting her lip, she turned around to see Rafe removing his own shirt. As always, she stared in mute awe, captivated by his savage beauty.

Before her silence became disconcertingly apparent, she retrieved the leather ball from the bureau and held it out to him. “Shall we b-begin now?”

Rafe regarded her with a burning look that had made her knees turn to water. “I think that instead of squeezing that infernal ball, there is a much more suitable way for me to exercise my hands.”

“And that would be?” Cassandra had to look at the floor, lest she once more fell under the spell of the rippling muscles of his bare chest.

“I believe I should return the favor.” Rafe’s silken, rumbling voice commanded her to meet his gaze.

Fresh heat flooded her core once more at the thought of him touching her so intimately. “Y-you mean you want to…” She trailed off dumbly.

Rafe’s lips curved up, giving her that smile, the one that sent her abdomen fluttering. “I am certain you are sore from your ministrations to me, so lie down.”

Overcome with awe at the dreamlike situation, Cassandra nearly collapsed on the bed as she complied. When Rafe sat beside her, she looked up and met her own reflection in the mirror. Quickly, she shifted her hair to hide the improper longing in her gaze.

The heat of his hands through the thin fabric of her chemise immediately brought a low moan from her throat. Cassandra bit her lip to prevent from crying out in sheer bliss as his fingers worked deeper magic on her aching shoulders.

Suddenly, Rafe paused. “This will not do.”

No! Don’t stop! A small whimper escaped her lips. Cassandra struggled to feign composure and prayed he hadn’t noticed.

“This infernal thing is in the way.” His hands returned to her shoulders, grasping the straps of her chemise and pulling the garment down.

Though a voice from her well-bred past shouted that she was behaving like a harlot, Cassandra squirmed and shifted to aid him in exposing her bare flesh to the heat of the fire and the touch of a vampire. In fact, she felt a pang of regret when he neglected to remove her chemise fully, instead leaving the cotton bunched up at her hips.

Then Rafe’s fingers once more worked their magic, the pleasure so much more intense that her core throbbed with desire. His hands left her shoulders to massage her back. A low moan escaped her lips at the intensely blissful sensation. No one had ever touched her like this.

“This angle isn’t working,” he said, softly in a teasing voice.

He shifted on the bed and knelt, straddling her hips. As he resumed his exquisite ministrations, Cassandra arched her back. His long hair brushed the sides of her rib cage in a tempting whisper. His groin was so close to her aching center that she wanted to scream in frustration. Did he comprehend what he was doing?

Then his hands moved lower, massaging the taut muscles of her hips and easing tension she didn’t know she possessed. She looked up at the mirror. The sight of Rafe kneeling behind her and the sheen of firelight on his muscled arms as he touched her took her breath away. His glittering amber gaze met hers in the reflection, and his lips curved up in a wicked smile. Cassandra’s lips parted in awe. He was so beautiful that it was decadent.

With sensuous slowness, Rafe bent down and kissed the backs of her thighs. His hands slid down her hips to grasp her legs. Gently but firmly, he moved them apart slightly. Her eyes widened at the brush of his hair against her skin and the sinfully tempting heat of his mouth moving closer to her… My God!

She gasped as his tongue flicked across the center of her womanhood.

“My, Countess, you are wet.” His deep voice rumbled against her core as his fingers continued to stroke her trembling thighs. “Te deseo, Querida. I want you.”

“Rafe…” she murmured.

He turned her over with dizzying speed. Before she could draw another breath, his delicious weight was on top of her, his hardness pressing against her wet cleft. He slid her chemise all the way off. His lips devoured hers with intoxicating ferocity before moving down. Drugged with pleasure, she watched his large hands gently caressing her breasts as he licked and sucked her nipples as if they were a banquet from the gods. His eyes were closed in pure, unmistakable bliss. Cassandra tangled her hands in his hair and shifted her hips, mad with the need to ease the pulsing ache he’d invoked.

“Please,” Cassandra panted, writhing beneath him like one possessed. “Please!”

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