“You’re nuts. Cute but nuts.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Cute is usually a code word when people don’t want to say something that could be considered an insult.”
“I believe we’ve already covered your hotness factor. No insults, veiled or otherwise, from me. I’ve got you in bed. I’m good for at least a year on the fulfilled fantasies list.”
“You know, I really like what you say now that you’re actually talking to me.”
He grinned again, and it sent a thrill all the way to her belly. Lord, but this man was to-die-for sexy. And he was naked. On top of her. Saying sweet things and giving her compliments. Looking at her like she was the sexiest woman on earth. If this was a dream she was going to be one super-pissed-off woman when she woke up.
“If you don’t mind, I’m done talking for a while. I’ve got a lot of tasting to do.”
“Oh, not at all,” she breathed.
“But first, I’m going to get you completely naked so I can mark number two off my wish list.”
“What’s number one?”
He pinned her with his fierce gaze, his expression utterly serious.
“I’ll get to that one when I’m balls deep inside you.”
CHAPTER 5
MAREN held her breath when Steele thumbed her bra straps down her shoulders and began slowly peeling back the cups covering her br**sts. He leaned to one side, propping himself on his elbow and turned her with him so he could reach behind her to unfasten the hooks.
Then he rolled her back and settled atop her once more.
“You have beautiful tits,” Steele said in a sandpapery voice. “Been dying to taste them.”
Her lips quirked up in a grin. “You seem to have a lot of fantasies involving tasting.”
He leaned down and she thought he would put his mouth on her nipple, but he kissed between her br**sts and then brushed his lips down her midline. He adjusted himself so he lay between her splayed thighs, his chin just above the lace waistband of her panties.
“Been looking forward to this,” Steele whispered as he began to inch her underwear down her legs.
All her previous inhibitions and nervousness fled. This was a man who genuinely wanted her and had evidently fantasized about her on at least a semiregular basis. Who was she to argue with a man’s fantasies?
He tugged the panties from her ankles and they fluttered to the floor over his shoulder. He nudged her legs farther apart and then moved his body up hers until his mouth hovered enticingly over her mound.
With gentle fingers he parted her labia, exposing her clit and opening her to his avid gaze.
“Beautiful,” he murmured.
Her breath caught in her throat as his head descended. She closed her eyes and gasped when his tongue stroked over her clitoris. It was a warm shock to her entire body. Her legs trembled and her belly tightened. She stirred restlessly underneath him as his hands smoothed over her hips, anchoring her further within his grasp.
He nuzzled and licked, pressing tender kisses over her most intimate flesh. Never would she have imagined Steele being such a patient, gentle lover. She would have placed odds on his being quick and forceful, and yet he seemed determined to take things exquisitely slow and bring them both maximum pleasure.
She was definitely okay with that. She was more than happy to lose a night’s sleep if it meant having Steele make love to her the entire time. She could always catch up after he and his team left.
The idea that it could be months before she saw him again left her with an achy hollow feeling, but she couldn’t focus on that now. Not when he was between her legs giving her the best o**l s*x of her entire life.
“You checking out on me, Maren?”
She blinked and looked down to see Steele’s head raised, his gaze boring into hers. She flushed. The very last thing she wanted him to think was that she wasn’t into this and he wasn’t satisfying her. Good grief, what woman in bed with him could ever think such a thing?
“No,” she said huskily. “Definitely not.”
“You with me then?”
“Oh yeah, I’m with you,” she breathed.
“Is what I’m doing feeling good? You have to tell me if I’m not doing it right. I want this to be good for you.”
Her heart melted at the tinge of uncertainty in his voice. She reached down and touched his cheek, letting her fingers run over his firm jawline.
“If you did it any better, I’d be in a pleasure-induced coma.”
Another smile flashed, and she realized she could fast become addicted to his smiles. They were so rare and yet in the space of an hour she’d been on the receiving end of multiple smiles from this hard-as-nails warrior. Did anyone else ever see these? Somehow she didn’t think they did, which made the fact that he was smiling for her even more precious.
“I want you out of your mind before I get inside you because I can’t guarantee how long I’m going to last when I get inside that sweet pu**y of yours. Been fantasizing about it for too long.”
She let out a blissful sigh. “Oh, I’m with you, Steele. No worries there. I want you inside me every bit as much as you want to be there. Promise.”
Another grin flashed. “You been thinking about me too?”
Embarrassed heat scorched her cheeks. But if he could admit to his fantasies, she could definitely impart hers.
“Oh yeah. All the time.”
“Too bad we’re just getting around to this now.”