Mark stared down at her, and she could see the question in his eyes. Intentionally, she teased him, leaning down, and unlacing his shoes. She could almost feel the tension in his body. He wanted to tell her to leave his shoes alone. A hidden smile on her face, she finished her task, enjoying the tease as she drew it out.
She tugged at one of his shoes and pulled it off his foot, throwing it across the room. Then the other. Her hands slid around his calves, greedily explored his muscular legs. Mark dropped his head against the door, his palms flattening against the wooden surface. She loved what that meant . . . that he had caved to submission.
Her hands moved to his waist, to the elastic of his boxers. That got his attention. He raised his head, giving her a heavy-lidded stare. “Can I,” she asked, wanting his clothes gone.
Mark groaned. “You can do anything you want to me, sweetheart.”
She smiled, and then pulled his pants down, making sure his underwear came too. Her hand closed around his erection as she pushed to her feet. He moaned, and she smiled. She loved the power she had over him. Seeing this gorgeous, always-in-control man at her mercy was the ultimate high.
They stared at one another, her hand so intimately touching him, stroking him. “I want—”
He cut her words off with his actions, his hands going into her hair, his mouth claiming hers. Their bodies pressed together, his erection nestled between her thighs. It was a slow, sexy kiss that had them clinging to one another, their tongues caressing and loving.
He palmed her breasts, kneading with delicate, perfect pressure. She was falling into a sensual haze. Her bra fell loose around her body. She never even knew he unhooked it. And his hands were on her bare breasts, fingers rolling and pinching her nipples. His hands moved to her butt, and he lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, holding him, wanting him.
He sat her on the edge of the mattress, dropping to his knees in front of her. “God, you’re gorgeous,” he said, a gravely quality to his voice.
She slid her hands to the side of his face. “You’re gorgeous.” And she meant it. He was perfect.
“Ah, Lindsey,” he whispered, emotion in his voice.
She pressed her lips to his forehead, to his temple, to his cheek. He moved so that his mouth found hers, kissing her, tasting her. His mouth moved down her jaw, her neck, and then to her breast. Inch by inch he kissed, touched, and teased until his mouth closed over her nipple.
Hands in his hair, she arched into the sensation, her body burning with the feel of his lips, teeth, and tongue. “I want you, Mark.”
“I want you too, baby,” he said, but his teasing continued, his mouth nipping, licking, tasting until she thought she would die from pleasure.
And then he stood, urging her to her back, and then raising one of her legs. He kissed her ankle, her calf, her inner thigh, his lips and teeth making her squirm with heat. And when he was oh-so-close to her panties he switched legs and started all over. This time when he reached the lace, his mouth moved over it, the heat of his breath burning through the lace.
His hands went to her hips, and he leaned back to pull her panties off. The final barrier gone. His hands settled on her waist, moving her higher on the bed as he settled above her. His erection slid along her core, sending a rush of desire through her body.
His mouth covered hers, his tongue sliding along hers, even as he eased his body inside hers. Purposely slow, he inched his way to her core until their bodies were molded as one.
For long moments, they kissed, her breasts pressed into his chest, her hips one with his, hands exploring each other. It was as if she was having an out-of-body experience. Every touch was like sensual gold, awakening another nerve ending, making her need on a new level.
Together, as if they had the need at the same time, they began a slow rhythm, slow strokes, in and out, back and forth. She sighed into his mouth, moaned, whispered his name. His fingers touched her nipples, her lips, her hips.
With each touch, she wanted to be closer to him. Wanted more. And somehow, together once again, they became more urgent. Stroke by stroke, they pressed their bodies together with more power, more force. They kissed as if they were thirsting for the very breath of the other. As if they had to have the other to survive.
It was a powerful, amazing feeling that had her moving with him in a way she had never experienced. This wasn’t sex. This was something more. Something as potent as a flame flaring to great heights, burning out of control.
Consuming.
And suddenly, the moment of ultimate pleasure was near. She fought it, not wanting to tumble over into satisfaction. Then this would be over. No. She didn’t want it to be over. This was too good to end.
But it was too late. Her body was not her own. She shattered, tensing as the first spasm of orgasm took hold. So intense was her release, she could only call his name in her head. And as her body closed around his, she heard him moan and say her name. And then he shattered, hips pressing into hers, face buried in her neck.
Moments later, they lay pressed together, limp with the impact of their releases. Reality slipped into place, hitting Lindsey with a rush of emotion. The magnitude of what they had shared was so powerful, it was hard to digest.
Never, ever, had she felt so totally possessed and pleased by a man. The burn of tears in the back of her eyes took her off guard. A wave of panic took hold. Was she falling in love? She didn’t want to be in love. That meant giving up too much. She’d worked hard to find herself. She didn’t want to get lost again.
Turning her face to the side, she tried to hide her tears. Mark kissed her temple and rolled to her side, giving her an opportunity to escape his scrutiny. She sat up, feeling a second rush of emotions, taking a deep breath, willing the tears to go away. But a flood was coming, and she couldn’t stop it.
There was no way to hide her sobs from Mark.
Mark’s arms closed around her from behind. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” he asked in a tender voice full of concern that only made her cry harder.
Wiping at her face, she tried to gain control. “No, nothing like that. I’m sorry. I swear I’m not like this.”
Mark stroked her hair. “I know, and that’s what’s got me the most worried.”
“I’m,” she sniffed, “fine.”
Mark tugged her into his lap and then moved to rest his back against the headboard. Lindsey gave into the need for more tears and buried her face in his neck and let them roll. So potent was her release, it was as if years of tears had somehow been released. All she could do was cling to Mark, and let them flow.
And he was wonderful, whispering comforting words, and rocking her.
Long minutes later, she accepted a tissue from Mark, feeling calmer, but her eyes hurt and she was exhausted.
“Do you want to talk?” Mark asked, his hand running down the back of her hair.
“I guess a lot things hit me at once,” she explained. “It’s been a pretty emotional month.”
Mark knew there was more to it and he needed to understand. “What was it about our making love that made it all cave in?”
Lindsey ran her hand through his hair. “You scare the hell out of me.”
He knew that, but he didn’t see any reason to say so. Instead, he wanted to understand her feelings fully. “Why?”
“Well,” she said in a shaky voice, “I think I’m beginning to get used to having you around.”
Mark studied her. “And that’s bad because . . . ?”
“Because every time I have ever gotten involved with a man, I’ve felt like the relationship took over my identity. I can’t do that again.” She shook her head and shut her eyes. “I can’t.”
He brushed his lips across hers. “I’m crazy about you. I like your independence, and even how hard-headed you are.” He smiled. “I don’t want you to change. I just want to enjoy who you really are.”
She blinked. “You make it seem so simple.”
“No,” he said. “I don’t think it’s simple at all. The truth is—I’m scared too.” She looked at him with surprise. “I wasn’t looking for this anymore than you.”