Rich (Benson Security 5)

That was enough. He opened his mouth, tasting the playful longing in her kiss as she retreated each time he followed, always staying just out of reach. Never taking it as deep or hard as he wanted.

When they broke apart, he groaned in frustration. “Rachel, stop messing around and let me off the leash. Let me please you. Let me drive you wild. I want to. Can’t you feel how much I want to?”

She nuzzled his throat. “Mmm, I don’t believe I have felt how much you want me,” the temptress said as her hand slid down his stomach.

“You’re putting a lot of faith in my self-control if you touch me there. You sure about this?” Damn it, he wasn’t sure he could keep his hands to himself if she kept moving lower.

Her head went back, and her eyes captured his. She stared into them for an eternity, her hand poised at the waistband of his shorts. “Yes,” she said at last. “I’m sure. You’ll keep your promise.”

As her quiet belief in him disarmed him, his head fell forward and his eyes squeezed shut. Silently, Harvard cursed out his need to be honorable while his heart swelled at her faith in him. Her trust. There was only one thing he wanted more—her heart.

“Do your worst.” He braced for her touch, knowing it would be sweet agony.

He was so beautiful in his rugged maleness, standing there, straining his control for her. Had anyone ever given her that much of themselves? She couldn’t remember if they had.

As her hand drifted under his shorts, moving south, feeling her way, Rachel studied his face. Eyes scrunched shut, jaw clenched. He was a leashed lion. And in that moment, he was hers.

Her fingers brushed against the coarse hair of his groin until they reached

the base of his firm length. She hesitated to go further. She hadn’t lied to him about getting over the assault and having no anxiety about sex. What she’d neglected to mention was that she hadn’t slept with anyone since it’d happened. Because to have sex meant to be vulnerable, and she hadn’t trusted any man enough to allow herself to feel desire.

Until now.

Until Harvard.

Her heart raced, and her breathing grew shallow. As a glorious lightness invaded her mind, she felt like she was floating in a vat of champagne bubbles. Her skin was almost oversensitive, making her aware of every single place her body touched Harvard.

No, not Harvard. That didn’t feel right. Not now.

“Can I call you Michael?” she whispered, feeling a little foolish at the request.

His eyes snapped open, and she feared he read far more in her gaze than she’d intended to share. Slowly, he nodded. “I’d like that.”

It was suddenly impossible to breathe. Keeping her eyes locked on his, she wrapped her hand around his thickness. His hold on her waist tightened for a second, his eyes turning black with unspoken need.

“Rachel.” His voice was a hoarse whisper.

Taking her time, she slid her hand along his length, feeling the softness and solidity of him. Learning him, she listened to his breathing speed up and watched a vein at the base of his throat throb along to the tempo of his heart.

Having all that strength at her mercy was a heady experience. And she needed more. She wanted all of him. Not just the part he’d tethered for her enjoyment.

“Michael,” she whispered.

His eyes opened gradually, as though the eyelids were too heavy.

“I’m letting you loose,” she said, feeling a wave of anticipation at the words.

And, of course, he didn’t think about himself. Instead of rushing at her, he said, “Are you sure?”

Rachel’s fist squeezed his hard length, making him groan. “Yes.”

He moved so fast that her breath caught in her throat. One second, she was in the water, and the next, she was sitting on the edge of the pool with Harvard standing between her legs on the ledge.

A desperate hunger emanated from him. “If you want to stop, we stop. Just say the word.”

It was clear that he didn’t intend to do anything else until she gave her answer. “Okay,” she said, her stomach doing somersaults. She felt as if she were suspended on the edge of a precipice, waiting to see what happened next.

She didn’t have to wait long. His hand clasped her nape as his mouth descended on hers. The kiss robbed her of what little reason she had left. All that remained was the ability to feel, to revel in the sensation. She swam in it, her skin electrified by his touch as he stole the air from her lungs with his lips. Their kiss was endless, sending her spiraling into a free fall of pure sensual delight.