Page 174 of Best Kept Secrets

Sitting back on her heels, Alex eased the pajama jacket off her shoulders and let it go. The sensuous fabric pooled around her. Reede dropped to his knees in front of her. His eyes drank in every inch of her.

Alex thought he seemed hesitant to touch her, but finally, he lifted his hand to her hair and rubbed the damp auburn strands between his fingertips. He watched his hand’s slow progress down her neck and chest to her breast. His thumb made light, deft passes across the nipple until it hardened.

Catching her breath, she sighed, “I thought you weren’t trying to seduce me.”

“I lied.”

They lay down together. He pulled the covers up over them, took her in his arms, drew her close, and kissed her with more tenderness than passion.

“You’re very small,” he whispered against her lips. “Did I hurt you the other night?”

“No.” He angled his head back and looked at her suspiciously. She ducked her head timidly. “Only a little.”

His hand curved around her throat; he stroked it with his thumb. “How was I supposed to know you were a virgin?”

“You weren’t.”

“How come you were, Alex?”

She tilted her head to one side and gazed up at him. “Are the reasons why so important, Reede?”

“Only because you let me.”

“Letting you never entered my mind. It just happened.”

“Any regrets?”

She laid her hand along his cheek and drew his head down. They kissed long and avariciously. His hand had found its way to her breast again by the time he ended the kiss. Pushing back the covers, he watched his fingers caress her nipple.

“Reede,” she said, her voice tentative, “I’m embarrassed.”

“I want to look. Just tell me if you get cold.”

“I’m not cold.”

She was making small, yearning sounds even before he lowered his head and closed his lips around her nipple. He sucked on it with masterful skill. His hand moved down to appreciate the curve of her waist, then smoothed over the shape of her hip and thigh. He touched her navel playfully, and lightly scrubbed the area beneath it with his knuckles. He touched the delta of springy hair, and his eyes turned dark.

“I want you to come this time,” he murmured.

“I want to.”

He slid his hand between her thighs. She raised her hips slightly to accommodate him. She was already wet. He slipped his fingers inside her.

“Reede,” she gasped with pleasure.

“Shh. Just enjoy.”

His thumb idly fanned back and forth across that vulnerable gem of flesh while he planted kiss after fervent kiss on her fertile mouth.

“I think it’s about to happen,” she panted between kisses.

“Not yet. Talk to me. I never get to talk in bed.”

“Talk?” She couldn’t even think. “About what?”

“Anything. I just want to hear your voice.”

“I… I don’t…”