Chapter 17

Desire curled through my belly, my blood rushing like wildfire through my veins. His hard body levered over me, pressing me into the mattress, and I reveled in the sensation.

It had been so long since I'd been with a man. Part of me was nervous, but his touches and kisses ameliorated my worries. I pulled him closer, spreading my legs wider to accommodate him as he shifted so he covered me completely from head to toe.

He dipped his head and kissed my throat. I could feel the rapid tempo of my pulse kick into overdrive as his lips skimmed my neck then dipped lower, dropping a line of kisses down my chest to the tops of my breasts. He nudged the fabric out of the way, exposing my nipple, then took it between his lips.

My hands flew to the back of his head, and a hiss fell from my lips. His teeth scraped along the sensitive skin, plucking at it, then soothing the sting with his tongue. I writhed beneath him, my core clenching with need.

One hand slid under my shirt and shoved it up, then yanked it over my head. He relieved me of my bra, then stripped my pants down my legs, taking my underwear, socks, and shoes with them.

The cool air washed over me, making my nipples stand at attention. Rodrigo stood over me, deathly still, and I fought the urge to cover myself. The heat of embarrassment crept up my neck and into my cheeks as one second turned into two, and the thick silence stretched between us.

My gaze trailed up to his face. The burning desire I saw in the dark depths froze my hands in place, and a different kind of heat swept over me.

Without a word he stripped down, taking his time removing each garment. I'd seen him naked before but this... this was different.

The scars and welts that littered his body were revealed in the dim light, but instead of detracting from his appeal, they only added to it.

My breath caught as his thumbs dipped beneath the waistband of his jeans, then yanked downward, his erection springing forth. I swallowed hard as he stepped forward and reached for me.

I'd experienced a moment of fear earlier when he'd lifted the knife my way. After having been bound to the bed for hours, my mind was muddled, my emotions ricocheting through my mind. Now I felt foolish for having reacted so violently. He'd done nothing but protect me since the moment he'd arrived.

One brow arched as his fingers landed on the top of my foot. When I didn't fight back, he trailed them over my foot, capturing it in one huge hand, then lifted it to his face. He pressed a kiss to the arch, then another to my ankle bone.

Replacing it on the bed, he massaged his way up my calves, smoothing his hands over my inner thighs, gradually opening me to his perusal. His thumbs brushed my center, and I couldn't stop myself from reaching for him. I wanted to feel his hot flesh under my hands, wanted his strong muscles wrapped around me.

I clutched at his biceps and he arched a brow. Grasping my questing fingers, he pressed my arms over my head so my breasts were on full display, pushing upward and demanding attention. My eyes slid closed as he took a sensitive peak in his mouth and sucked gently.

Fire shot straight to my core, and I shifted restlessly. I could feel the arousal pooling between my legs, my body aching for him. I felt delirious, my mind drifting as his fingers and mouth teased my skin. Rodrigo tweaked my nipple once more, then released it.

"Mi tesoro. So beautiful."

Pushing through the fog of sensations shrouding my mind, I managed to crack my eyes open. "What does that mean? Is that... Spanish?"

He dipped his head in a brief nod. It shouldn't have been surprising considering his dark features, yet it left me feeling off kilter. "I… didn't know you spoke Spanish."

He kissed my other nipple, then flicked it with his tongue. "Sí. Et fran?ais. Und deutsch."

I glared at him. "You speak four languages, but you somehow couldn't come up with a single word to say to me?"

His gaze lifted to mine, and he flashed me a devastating grin. "Lo siento, cara."

He didn't seem even the tiniest bit sorry. "I hate you."

"Mmm…" He dropped his head and tongued my nipple. My hips arched off the bed and I let out a stifled shriek as he sucked hard. "I don't think you do."

My body felt as tightly drawn as a bow, primed and ready for him. One huge hand pinned my wrists over my head, while the other began to trail over my collarbone and throat. He was so much larger than me, so much stronger, yet he handled me like the delicate treasure he'd compared me to.

His arousal brushed my folds, and I sucked in a breath. He released my hands and framed my face, smoothing away a strand of hair that clung to my cheek. His dark gaze locked onto mine and held.

He didn't speak; then again, he didn't need to. The way he touched me, held me, said more than words ever could.

A pang sliced through my heart. He'd said this could only be for tonight. But I knew as I lay there that one night wouldn't be enough. Maybe I could change his mind. If only...

My heart pinched. Though I'd only known him for a few days, I'd already come to understand his character. And once he'd made up his mind, there was no changing it. I would take tonight, then tuck the memory away for the future.

I cupped the back of his head and lifted my hips in offering. Fire flickered in the dark depths and a tic ran along the muscle of his cheek. Gaze still locked on mine, he ever so slowly eased forward. I sucked in a breath as he filled me, but I refused to look away. This connection was too strong, too right.

Heat spiraled through me at the feeling of us coming together, and tingles danced along my nerve endings. He held me close, one hand wrapped around my shoulder to keep me in place as he began to move. His gaze stayed locked on mine as he thrust slow and deep on measured strokes.

The sensation was exquisite, the emotion pulsing through me like nothing I'd ever experienced. Every sense seemed heightened. He made me feel treasured. Safe. Adored.

Heat raced through my body, the fire that had been building in my core suddenly flaring into an inferno.

My muscles contracted, and I let out a silent scream as pleasure like I'd never known crashed over me. I couldn't think, couldn't breathe; I couldn't do anything but hold on as he swept me away to a place higher than the stars.

He plunged in and out, ragged breath leaving his mouth, sweat glistening on his chest. Two more hard thrusts and he pulled out, his hot seed splashing over my lower belly. He collapsed over me, his head burrowed against my neck. His chest rose and fell rapidly, the curly dark hairs teasing my nipples.

With a soft groan of effort, he pushed upward, then swiped the box of tissues from the nightstand. He extracted one and ran it over my stomach, wiping away the evidence of our lovemaking. Once he was done, he tossed it to the floor then settled in next to me.

One brawny arm slid beneath my head; the other came around my waist and pulled me close, and I snuggled further into him as exhaustion pulled at me. He nuzzled my hair aside and kissed the spot just below my ear.

A contented smile curled my lips as sleep claimed me. Here, wrapped in his arms, I was right where I belonged.