She didn’t know what was happening. Their emotions flooded back and forth, mixing until every thought and feeling felt lighter, shared, and somehow easier to bear.
His lips pressed to her temple as he pulled her deeper onto his lap. She recognized the scent of his skin, the soft weight of his lips, and the pulling ache in her heart. It was as if he’d kissed her a thousand times before.
This was their dream—one of them. Sitting in the shadows, overwhelmed by the unchangeable truths and seeking shelter in each other. It made no sense at all, yet a sense of rightness blanketed her.
Warm lips trailed across her damp lashes, pressing kisses to her eyes. “I have you,” he whispered. “I’ll protect you.”
Her gaze lifted, her face angling closer. He was so beautiful, so different from anyone else she’d ever met.
She leaned in, her heart tripping with uncertainty and her curiosity guiding her more than her courage. He didn’t close the distance, but waited for her.
Soft, like the petal of a flower, her lips traced over his. Desire coiled in her belly. Her fingers sifted through his silky hair, pulling him closer. “Kiss me, Adam.”
His eyes watched her closely, his fingers tracing the column of her throat where her pulse thundered. “Close your eyes.”
Her lashes lowered and he caught the back of her head, the hand on her hip jerking her closer as he angled her face. His lips sealed over hers with more intention than any kiss should own. His lips were firm, demanding, and he consumed her with his mouth, his tongue laying claim to parts of her without even touching her naked flesh.
When he pulled away, she panted and blinked up at him. “Why do I feel like I’ve kissed you a million times before?”
“Perhaps it’s the universe telling you we’ll kiss a million times again.”
Her mouth hooked in a half smile. If they were kisses like that, she might not object.
Her brow furrowed as she considered how close they were. She looked down and he caught her chin, giving her a stern look.
“Don’t come to your senses just yet.” He fisted the fabric of her gown and yanked her forward, pressing his lips to hers.
She twisted, climbing to her knees and straddling his lap. Her thighs encased his and while he still wore his pants, she wore nothing beneath the thin gown.
His hand gripped her nightgown, pulling the fabric taut as he nudged her closer. His arousal pressed to her core and she gasped.
He used her surprise to deepen the kiss, driving his tongue deep and sweeping over hers in a coaxing game. He tasted extraordinary, sweet, drugging, and potent. She wanted more of him.
Tightening her arms around his broad shoulders, she rocked her hips. His indisputable masculinity emphasized the delicate feminine traits of hers.
He eased her to the bed, his body covering hers as their kisses intensified, stirring a deep hunger in her she wasn’t sure even sex would satisfy. His body ground into hers.
Her fingers knotted in his hair as her body lifted against his, grinding, greedily stealing every inch of friction she could feel.
“More,” she whispered, teasingly biting and nipping at his mouth.
He growled and pinned her with his weight, digging his erection against her core and dropping his mouth to her shoulder. He panted against her ear, his tongue licking and teasing.
“Yes,” she breathed, stretching her neck and angling it closer for his wicked mouth.
He tore his mouth away, turning his face into her shoulder. Everything stilled except their heavy breathing. He no longer kissed her but still held her pinned beneath him.
“Adam?”
His breath caressed her shoulder as his body trembled against hers. She touched her fingers to his spine.
“Is everything all right?”
He practically preened into her touch like a cat. “I nearly lost control.”
She frowned. Her gown raveled around her hips, leaving her sex exposed. The only thing barring his erection from entering her was the panel of his pants.
“Maybe we both did.”
He slowly sat up, drawing the material of her nightgown over her thighs. She drew her knees together as he draped his legs over the edge of the bed. He wouldn’t look at her, his hand covering his mouth and his eyes closed.
“Are you upset?” He looked as if he couldn’t bear the thought of what they’d just done.
“I need a moment to find my bearings.” His face angled away.
She wasn’t sure what this was or why he suddenly couldn’t look at her, but it felt an awful lot like rejection. “I thought you wanted to.”
He noticeably stiffened. “If you trust one thing, Anna, trust that I do and will want you for as long as I live.”
“Then why won’t you look at me?”
“Because I think the day has taken a toll on you and I don’t want to make it worse.” He dragged a hand over his face, letting out a shaky breath. “I’m better now.”