His hand slid beneath her cotton blouse, his warm palm on her stomach, his rough fingers stroking her side. She wanted more, to feel more of him. She shuddered and Archer groaned, deepening the kiss until she was dizzy.
Her fingers fumbled with the buttons of her blouse until it hung open. He stared at her chest, breathing hard, while she unbuttoned his shirt and tugged it off.
Archer reached for her, his hand so hesitant Eden thought he was teasing her. But one look assured her he wasn’t. He was...mesmerized by her, studying the curve of her breast before carefully cupping the silk-covered weight in one hand. She arched into his hold, the stroke of his thumb across her nipple making her moan brokenly.
His gaze crashed into hers then, his thumb repeating the action.
She shuddered, blowing out a deep breath.
He sat on the couch and pulled her into his lap, facing him. His fingers unhooked her bra, and he stared, his hands hovering close to her free breasts. Such intensity. Such uncertainty. His breath fanned across the sensitized tips, stealing her breath as he buried his face between her breasts. She held him there, running her hands along the muscled contours of his back and shoulders. His mouth latched onto one of her nipples, sucking it deep before flicking the tip with his tongue.
Eden cried out, arching into him. His mouth was heaven. He held on to her, one arm braced around her back, the other hand cupping her breast. She moved against him, wanting his mouth, his lips, his tongue...wanting all of him.
He sat back, twining his hands in her hair and sliding his tongue deep into her mouth. The sensation, chest to chest, was too much. She ground against him, any worries about his want for her vanishing. He wanted her, badly.
He was relentless. Every inch of her was explored, his nose tracing the length of her side. His lips nipping the underside of her breast. His tongue sweeping the line of her collarbone.
“Archer, please,” she murmured.
He was breathing hard when he looked at her.
“Make love to me,” she whispered.
“I am,” he said. “But I want to do it proper.”
Eden felt a moment’s disappointment. She wasn’t feeling proper. She was feeling needy. Here. On the floor. His truck. Whatever. But she needed him. Now.
“Eden?” he asked.
She blinked.
“Bed,” he said, pointing at a hallway.
She slipped from his lap and stood. He was gorgeous. All hard muscle and angular planes. Thick arms, strong hands, a light dusting of hair across his chest. He was the most amazing thing she’d ever seen.
And he wanted her.
He stayed where he was, his gaze traveling over her slowly, leisurely. She fought the impulse to cover herself. He liked what he saw, she could tell. And that made her feel incredibly beautiful. And sexy. She unbuttoned the waist of her gray capris and slid them down her hips. They fell to the ground, leaving her in a pair of light blue lace panties and nothing else.
Archer’s hands fisted at his sides, and he leaned forward and reached for her.
His lips brushed her hip; his hands slid along the dip of her back and cupped her buttocks. She gasped, the air shoved forcefully from her lungs. She was ready, hungry.
She stepped back, grabbing his hands and tugging him to his feet. She kept moving. If he wanted a bed, she would find one. When she’d found his room, she let go of him, crossed the wooden planked floor, and climbed onto the white linen–covered bed.
She sat, watching him kick off his boots, toss his socks and wiggle out of his jeans. His boxers joined the pile, leaving nothing to her imagination. Breathing was a challenge. Her body tightened, aching for him. He was a big man. Big and strong and hers.
He crossed the room, leaning over her until she lay back on the mattress.
His hands smoothed down her stomach, gently sliding her panties off.
The mattress dipped beneath his weight as he settled between her legs. He kissed her, his tongue tracing the seam of her lips. She ran her hands over his back and hips, opening her mouth for him.
He smoothed the hair from her face, his gaze holding hers. He cradled her, those blue eyes boring into her—searching her. Her hands moved to cover his.
When he thrust slowly into her, his eyes closed briefly. A low groan caught in the back of his throat. Her moan was soft, stunned. The shock of it, joining physically and mentally, was powerful. She couldn’t look away, overcome by the intensity of his gaze and the feel of him deep inside. His jaw locked, a tremor shaking his body as he slid home. “Eden.” Her name was broken and gruff. His hand stroked her cheek as he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. He paused, their ragged breaths the only sound.
In that moment, Eden felt truly beautiful. Something about Archer, normally guarded and controlled, vulnerable in her arms, tugged at her heart. He saw her, wanted her. And she felt it.