Stormy Vows - Iris Johansen [140]
She wriggled contentedly in Jake's arms, her heartbeat steadying as she felt a delicious languor attack her limbs. Jake's arms tightened automatically around her, his breathing still coming in short gasps, his heartbeat thudding beneath her ear with the delicious proof of his own excitement at their union.
She kissed the smooth muscled shoulder lovingly. Then she raised herself on one elbow to look down at him with frank enjoyment. He was so beautiful, she thought with a new pride of possession. The magnificent bone structure that was the basis of his good looks was generally overlooked, so exciting were the mobility and expressiveness of his face. Now, with his eyes closed and his face relaxed, Jane could see the beauty of line and contour that would make him devastatingly handsome even in old age.
His eyes flicked open and lit with mocking amusement as they met the serious expression in Jane's eyes. “What are you thinking, redhead?” he asked curiously as his hand reached up lazily to trace the line of her shoulder.
“I was thinking what a distinguished old man you'll make,” she said dreamily.
He pulled her down to kiss her lingeringly. “I'd rather you concentrate on my present attractions and talents,” he said, grinning wickedly. He settled her head back in the hollow of his shoulder, his hand stroking her red curls gently.
“Would you like for me to get you a cigarette?” she asked suddenly.
“A cigarette?” Jake asked blankly.
“I thought all men wanted a cigarette after…” She paused delicately.
“It's optional,” he assured her solemnly.
She accepted that, and after another blissfully lazy moment, another thought occurred to her. “You said you only smoke in stressful situations,” she said curiously. “You don't consider this a stressful situation?”
His lips brushed the top of her head tenderly before lifting her chin to meet his eyes with surprising seriousness. “I consider this situation a delight!” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I consider it sheer enchantment!” He kissed her forehead. “I consider it a miracle!” His lips tasted hers with a blinding sweetness.
“Oh, so do I,” Jane said enthusiastically, when their lips finally parted. She impulsively pressed her lips to his once more, eager to experience once again that melting tenderness.
Jake's eyes were dancing with amusement when their lips parted for the second time. “I'm glad that your first experience met with your approval,” he said, his lips twitching. “I gather you have no regrets about your fall from grace?”
She shook her head tranquilly, her eyes shining with tenderness. “I regard it as falling into grace. Love in itself must be the ultimate in grace.” She kissed him gently. “I could never regret loving you, Jake Dominic.”
His face was unreadable as he stared into her glowing, eager face. “No tears, no demands, no guilt trips,” he said slowly. “You make it ridiculously easy to take advantage of you, redhead.”
She giggled happily and put her head back into the spot in the hollow of his shoulder that was becoming endearingly familiar. “It is I who am taking advantage of you,” she said teasingly. “You're the one with all the experience. I'm just a humble novice. It's only sensible to keep you sweet, so that you're inclined to continue the lessons.”
“You'll have no problem on that score,” he said dryly. “I'm having to remind myself right now that you're new at this game and mustn't be overworked.”
She lifted her head to stare into his face. “Already?” she asked, startled.
“Already,” he affirmed, his dark eyes twinkling mischievously. “I have an idea that you're a born voluptuary, Jane. I'm eager to test the theory.”
Suddenly his eyes lost their