Page 34 of Built of Illusions

“I’m listening.”

“I like you. I respect the hell out of you and the job you do. I worry about you because I see the signs of you burning out. I like your confidence and your ability to focus. I like the way your eyes darken when you’re thinking sexy thoughts.”

She smirked when his eyes did exactly that. “I like you, Nico. More than I expected. You’re a special man with an enormous capacity for compassion and I’d really like to get naked with you. But if you don’t think we’re ready for that, I’ll deal with it.”

Nico huffed out a laugh. “I like you too, Josie. You’re pretty amazing with your talent and your huge heart and your determination. And I’d like absolutely nothing more than to get naked with you. I’ve been thinking about this for a while and I’ve got a whole plan of attack.”

She laughed again. “I like the sound of that. Attack away.”

Nico growled and then his mouth crushed down on hers and Josie’s laughter dissolved into a flame of desire.

His hands tangled in her hair and his thumbs brushed her cheekbones while he devastated her with his mouth. When he lifted his head, they stared at each other for a moment and then grinned before diving back in.

This time when Nico broke the kiss, he moved his mouth to her jawline and then down to where her pulse beat in her throat. He lingered there and at her collarbone until her bones liquified.

His hands reached to the hem of her t-shirt and played with the edge. “This has been driving me crazy but now it’s got to go.”

That made her grin. The shirt was huge and shapeless. Exactly what she liked to wear when painting or sleeping. “There’s nothing attractive about this shirt.”

Nico nipped her collarbone and then sat back on his haunches, taking the hem of the shirt and running it between his fingers. “Wrong. So very, very wrong. I see you wearing this and know it’s skimming those gorgeous curves of yours, brushing against your skin. I imagine what you’re wearing under it. And I hope it’s nothing at all.”

She wasn’t sure what to say to that, but Nico didn’t appear to mind. He gently brushed the hem back and forth along her thighs. Softly. A swish of fabric caressing her sensitized skin. With every brush, he moved the hem a little higher.

When he revealed her panties, his smile became wolfish and he leaned down to place kisses on top of the silky material.

Slowly, he eased the t-shirt up. He followed the path with his lips and tongue. No area was ignored and Josie’s skin flamed.

He slid the material back and forth over the undersides of her breasts and she gasped at the delicious sensations.

Nico hummed his approval as he followed the t-shirt with his tongue. When he brushed it over her nipples, she nearly shot off the bed. His chuckle was sexy and then he sucked her breast right through the material and she lost the ability to think.

All she could do was feel.

Nico teased and touched and drove Josie higher than she’d ever been. Somehow, he lifted her up and shucked the t-shirt away almost without breaking contact with her skin.

His mouth directly on her breast was the most incredible sensation she’d ever felt and the whimper that escaped her was all about need.

Nico whispered as he traveled her body. Telling her how sexy he found her. Whispering all the plans he had for them.

When he moved down between her legs and slid her panties off, she was already lost. Then his tongue dipped in and sent her soaring through stratospheres of color and sensation. Then he found her clit and sent her even higher.

By the time she was able to breathe and think again, he was sheathing himself with a condom and moving back between her legs. “You still in?”

“Now, Nico. I need you now.”

With another sexy growl, he slid into her and then stilled to give her body time to adjust.

It had been a long, long time since she’d been with a man, and the sensation of him filling her had tears of joy wanting to fill her eyes. It felt so right to be with him like this.

Like they were creating the perfect piece of art together. Something full of power and strength and joy. And love.

“Okay?” His growl tickled her ear.

“Oh yeah. Way past okay.”

“Ready?”

With him? “Yes.” Her voice was a fragile whisper but he heard her.

---