Her bare feet left whispered sounds as she seemed to glide across the wood floor. There was something so mystifying, so captivating about this woman. That was the only explanation for why he kept allowing himself to be pulled in deeper.
He’d set out to seduce her, but somewhere along the way, the roles had reversed.
Without a word, Stella reached out as she came to stand before him. Her fingertip went to the tattoo of the eagle on his chest that crept over his shoulder. His muscles tensed beneath her touch and he clenched his fists at his sides to keep from picking her up and taking her back to bed, finally having what his body craved.
Those fingertips left the ink and started traveling downward. His abs tightened as he kept his eyes locked on hers.
“Stella,” he growled in warning.
The warning was more for himself, though. If he ultimately went through with this seduction, he would be just as much of a bastard as the men he hated.
Her fingers went to the snap on his jeans, pulling it loose. The zipper slid down next.
Damn it. He was human with temptation staring him right in the face. He wanted her too badly to care if it made him a bastard.
Something snapped, likely his sanity, but he circled her waist with his hands and lifted her against him. Dane crushed his mouth to hers and Stella opened for him as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his waist.
Dane wanted to completely consume her, to strip away everything—the clothes, the lies. The damn world outside. He wanted every bit of it gone.
Taking long strides, he headed toward the bed. He wasn’t waiting any longer. Guilt had no place in business...or the bedroom. Only desire belonged here. And he desired the hell out of her. From her pants and moans and the way her fingertips dug into him, she was just as achy.
When he reached the post at the end of the bed, Dane eased her down to her feet. She blinked up at him, but he took a step back. He continued to watch her as he rid himself of his jeans and boxer briefs.
Dane stepped out of his things and kicked them aside.
“Turn around,” he demanded. He couldn’t risk her seeing his back, but if she wanted to believe he just enjoyed this position, that was perfectly fine...because he did.
Stella quirked a brow before obeying. Dane shifted behind her and slid his hands down her arms until he reached her wrists. He circled her delicate skin and lifted her hands, wrapping them around the thick, wood bedpost.
Dane tucked his body up against hers as he trailed his lips across her shoulder, up her neck, to the curve of her ear.
“Hold on.”
He quickly grabbed a condom from his wallet and covered himself as he stepped in behind her once again. With his hands gripping her hips, he pressed his body into hers.
“Spread your legs,” he murmured.
Stella stepped wider and Dane used the opportunity to ease his hand to the front of her body, pleased to discover she was more than ready to take him. He slid the tips of his fingers through her, fighting the staggering need to take this final step.
“Dane.”
His name coming off her lips in a cry of pleasure was all the motivation he needed. Dane slid into her and had her crying out once again. He, on the other hand, stilled.
She. Was. Perfect.
Closing his eyes against any emotions other than lust and raw, primal need, Dane concentrated on just how amazing they were together. For this night, and maybe the duration of his stay, he wanted to be here in her bed. And out of her bed? Well, that was a space he couldn’t think about right now.
Stella’s knuckles whitened as she gripped the post. Her head fell back against his shoulder. As Dane continued to pump his hips, he kept his hands firmly on her thighs, his fingertips digging in to keep her in place.
He leaned down and sucked on that curve of her neck, earning him another pleasure-filled groan. Damn if he didn’t know her body already and that was one of the most powerful tools he had in his arsenal.
Stella reached up higher on the post and sank back against him even farther. Within seconds she was coming undone and panting his name. Dane couldn’t hold back another second and he was done trying. He followed her release, pressing his forehead against her shoulder as he gritted his teeth. He held on to her until both of their bodies ceased trembling and even then, he didn’t let go.
“I think my legs are going to give out.” Stella’s breathless words broke the silence. “I don’t know how we’re still standing.”
He nipped at that curve in her neck again, suddenly realizing he liked that spot because each time he touched her there, she trembled. He liked having that control over her, just that little kernel that was all his.
“We’re still standing because I wasn’t about to miss a second of this sweet body by falling down,” he countered.