Once in Every Life

She pressed her open hands to his chest, marveling in the feel of his skin. Her fingers splayed out, moved slowly upward, memorizing every detail of him. The crispness of his hair, the satin-soft hardness of his muscles, the tiny scar that crossed his collarbone.

"Jesus, Lissa," he growled as her fingers breezed gently across his hardened nipples.

Startled by the throaty sound of his voice, Tess looked up. "Did ... did I do something wrong?"

He smiled. It was a hot, slow smile that made Tess's pulse quicken. "No," he whispered. His eyes held her captive, promised things she'd never even dreamed of.

Without thinking, just feeling, needing, she pressed up onto her toes for a kiss.

He bent toward her, meeting her more than halfway. His mouth formed to hers in a hot, possessive kiss that left her reeling and dizzy. His hands settled in the small of her back, drawing her flush against his half-naked body. "God, you taste good," he whispered, letting his tongue brush lovingly along her full bottom lip.

Tess shivered at the moist warmth of his breath on her parted lips.

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A small moan slipped from her mouth as the kiss deepened, became harder and more demanding. His tongue pushed past her lips, exploring, tasting, probing. She curled her arms around his back and clung to him. Desire burned inside her, became a painful ache between her legs.

Tess felt control begin to spiral out of her grasp. She began to tremble. She needed time, just a little time. It was happening too fast....

"Th-The bath ..." she said lamely.

Pulling backward just a step, he dropped to his knees beside the tub and washed the blood from his hands and face. Then he got to his feet and grinned at her, hair dripping. "Forget the bath," he said, sweeping her into his arms and carrying her to the bedroom. He shoved the door open with his elbow and kicked it shut behind him.

He laid her out on the bed and kneeled beside her. The bed planks creaked beneath their weight. His gaze lingered on her face for a long, breathless moment, then moved slowly to the muslin-clad mound of her breasts.

Anticipation shuddered through Tess's body and left her breathless. Everywhere his gaze landed, she felt singed. Inside her, deep, a fire started, coiled through her vitals. She wanted so desperately to be everything he wanted, but she didn't know how to be good in bed. Confusion chilled the mounting heat of desire, left her once again feeling shy and afraid.

"Jack ..." She tried to reach for him, but he gently pushed her back into the pile of pillows.

"Not yet." He smiled. "Turnabout is fair play."

"But?"

"Relax, Lissa."

Tess swallowed hard. He didn't want her to touch him .. . not yet. He wanted her to relax. Relax, Tess. Relax. She drew a deep breath and tried to do as he'd asked.

It was impossible. Stretched out on the bed, she lay like

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a butterfly pinned to a bed of soft velvet. She lay perfectly still, waiting. Waiting ...

He leaned down and pressed a hot, moist kiss on the curve of her throat. Tess shuddered at the contact. Her eyes fluttered shut. He moved with tantalizing slowness, planting a trail of openmouthed kisses down her throat.

The gourd-seed buttons on her half gown seemed to magically dissolve beneath his fingers. She felt the thin fabric pull away from her body and fall to the floor. Tess tensed. A small, mouselike sound squeaked past her trembling lips. She felt achingly vulnerable. It was all she could do not to cover herself. "Lissa?"

She opened her eyes and looked up at him. His gaze locked with hers, and in his eyes was a restless longing, a need, that mirrored her own. Then slowly?so slowly? he unlaced her corset and pushed the utilitarian contraption away from her skin. Cool air breezed across her flesh, hardened her nipples.

Candlelight bathed the creamy softness of her breasts, undulated across her stomach in golden waves. Her hair, spread out across the grayed pillows, glittered like gold dust.

He traced the pale outline of her breasts with his hands and leaned down to kiss the full swell above her nipple. "Jesus, you're beautiful," he whispered. With those simple words, Jack freed her. His hot breath wafted across her nipples and set off another flurry of goose bumps. Need coursed through her body, melted her insides, and suddenly she had to be closer, had to feel the heat of his skin against hers.

She pressed up on her elbows; he bent down. Their mouths came together in a hungry kiss. Tess wound her arms around his neck and clung to him. His chest was hot

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