Page 23 of The Texan's Secrets

She started an exploration of her own—across his shoulders, his chest, his washboard abs. She pulled up the hem of his shirt to expose his skin, and he groaned as her fingertips made contact.

Overheating and impatient, she stripped off her bulky sweater, tossing it aside.

His expression was intense with passion, his breathing deep and steady.

She reached for the buttons on his shirt, and he kissed her again. His hands slipped under her T-shirt, cupping her breast, bringing a moan to her lips while she awkwardly undid his buttons.

He stripped off his shirt, while she tugged her T-shirt over her head, releasing her bra and adding it to the pile of their clothes on the desktop. Seconds later, they were skin to skin, their kisses going wilder and deeper.

Want and desire coursed its way through Emilia, until she thought she might explode from need. It had been far too long since she’d been held in a man’s strong arms. And Nick was as hot and sexy as they came.

She popped open the button on his pants and drew down the zipper.

He drew back to look at her. “You sure?” he asked, eyes smoldering.

“I’m sure,” she answered in an unnaturally husky voice.

He helped her with his clothes, then made short work of hers.

For a moment they simply gazed at each other. Dressed, he was a handsome man by any benchmark. Naked, he was magnificent. His chest was broad, his abs flat and defined. A tan line delineated his hips. And below...below he made her suck in a gasp.

He gently removed her glasses, slightly blurring her view.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered as he wrapped her back up in his arms. “Absolutely beautiful.”

She decided to believe him, though it was a stretch. But he made her feel it.

He kissed her softly and deeply, while his hands began to explore.

She matched him touch for touch, caress for caress, until they were both gasping with need.

He scooped her into his arms. It was totally unnecessary, but also totally sexy, and he carried her to the sofa.

He’d pulled a condom from somewhere, and they lay down together, arms and legs entwined, their touches growing more intimate and their passion rising higher and higher.

Just when she thought she couldn’t stand another second, he moved between her legs and slowly, firmly, inexorably eased inside.

She called out his name, thrusting her head back and her hips forward, struggling to get closer and closer still.

Then his rhythm started. He laved her neck with kisses, moving to her breasts, sending shards of desire rocketing to her core.

She rode the wave as it went on and on. She never wanted it to stop.

Then something shifted. His body tensed. His breath hissed. And his thrusts came faster and faster.

She cried out and clung tightly to him, as he captured her mouth in a kiss that matched the fireworks of their bodies.

He slowed while she struggled to catch her breath. Gasping, her chest rising and falling against him.

“I’m too heavy,” he said and shifted to one side.

“It’s fine,” she said breathlessly.

“I feel like I’m crushing your chest.” He moved a little move, bringing them side to side, holding her with both his arms and legs so she couldn’t slip off the sofa, their racing hearts thudding against one another.

She rested her head against his shoulder and waited for reality to return.

After a few minutes their breathing stabilized, and their heart rates fell back to normal.

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