Stormy Vows - Iris Johansen [128]
“Really?” Jane sat up and threw off the gold blanket. “I'll try to act more in character next time.”
His dark eyes were fixed compulsively on the bodice of the shorty nightgown. Her high firm breasts were clearly outlined beneath the gauzy material, even to the shadowy pink of her nipples.
“Not on my account,” he drawled softly as he came toward her. His hand reached out to stroke her cheek with a gentle hand. “You look like a baby fresh from its bath,” he said lightly. His hand rubbed her cheekbone with the sensual pleasure of a man stroking his favorite kitten.
Her breath caught in her throat, and she looked up into his dark eyes and saw a flicker in the hidden depths that caused her heart to increase its tempo. Then the flicker was gone and he had turned and walked toward the bathroom.
The usual mockery was in his voice as he said over his shoulder. “If you want to spare me your girlish blushes, I'd turn out the light.” He disappeared into the bathroom.
Jane dove into the black velvet bed as if a nude Jake Dominic were going to appear the next instant. Then she had to jump out again to flick out the light by the door, and scrambled back under the covers again. It seemed an incredibly short time until the light in the bathroom was off and the door opened. She stiffened involuntarily as the bed sank under Dominic's weight when he slipped beneath the covers. She could feel the mattress shift while he stretched out like a cat, then turned over to rest on his back.
There was a moment of strained silence that stretched on interminably before he suddenly spoke. “For God's sake, relax!” he said with exasperation. “I'm not going to pounce on you. I can feel you trembling clear over here.”
“I'm sorry,” she whispered shakily, “I guess I'm nervous. I've never done anything like this before.”
“That makes two of us,” he said wryly, turning his shadowy face to where she lay. “I think I can safely say that I've never occupied a bed with a woman without intending to reap the full benefit.”
“It must be difficult for you,” she said huskily. “I never meant to be such a bother.”
“Be quiet,” he said impatiently. “And for pity's sake stop that trembling.”
There was a moment of tension that was as fine as a stretched violin string. “Jake.” Her voice was a hesitant whisper. “Will you hold me?”
She heard him inhale sharply and felt the sudden tension that tautened his body. “You can't be that innocent,” he said roughly. “Don't try to play games with me, Jane. I'm finding this situation difficult enough.”
She too was finding it difficult enough, she thought wildly. It had taken all her courage to voice that whispered plea, and she had only impressed him as being a tease. She took a deep breath, and before she could change her mind, she scooted over suddenly to press against the warmth of his naked body with trembling urgency.
“Please, Jake,” she said huskily, pressing her soft lips to the throbbing pulse in his throat. “I'm not playing any games.”
His body stiffened as if electrified, and his arms automatically went around her. “My God,” he said raggedly. His arms tightened ruthlessly. “Damn it, how much do you think I can take?”
His hands began a feverish sensual symphony over her shoulders and back while his lips touched hotly on her ears and throat. Then his lips found hers, and it was like no kiss she had ever known. It was as if he were famished for the taste and texture of her. His mouth rubbed and caressed her own with frantic hunger before parting her lips to probe intimately with his tongue, and his hands moved down to cup her bottom and lift her to his aroused loins with heated urgency. His lips ravished her with breathless need while he rubbed her softness against his muscular body with frenzied movements.
He buried his lips in her throat, his voice muffled as he said hoarsely, “God, I want you! I've been going insane for weeks. Open your mouth, love, I want every bit of you.” His lips covered hers again, and she felt