What You Propose (Anything for Love 2)

The warmth of his mouth inflamed her body. There was nothing slow or measured about the way he kissed her. Like a true pirate, he took what he wanted, plundering hard and deep with his tongue until she clutched at his shoulders.

In the cave, it was cold and damp, but the heat from the hard body pressed against her penetrated the thin layers of clothing. While his mouth moved over hers, his hands were everywhere — frantic, desperate touches that left the hairs at her nape tingling.

"Holy hell," he groaned as his hands settled on her buttocks to draw her against the evidence of his arousal. "I've never wanted anyone as much as I want you." Desire shot through her as he rained kisses down her neck. "Tell me you want me, too."

"I do." The words tumbled from her lips. She felt dizzy, her head so light and free. A deep, clawing need settled between her thighs, the beating pulse growing in intensity.

He must have sensed her desperation as his hand drifted up her bare leg, his fingers rubbing against her most sensitive spot.

"Forget everything I said about wearing breeches," he panted, stroking her back and forth until she gasped for breath. "I was wrong."

"Marcus … wait … I …"

In the dark, all other senses were heightened. His musky scent filled her head. His hot, wet tongue stimulated every fibre of her being as it danced and tangled with hers. She could feel a pleasurable tension building within. A desperate ache. Each motion of his fingers brought her closer to the place where she would cry out his name.

"Don't stop," she gasped.

"I don't intend to. But let me hear your thoughts. Tell me how it feels for me to touch you."

He kept up the rhythmical motion until her body tingled, until the muscles in her core gave way to faint, sporadic contractions.

"It feels divine," she whispered as he had taken her far beyond the need for modesty.

"Tell me how close you are. Tell me you want to feel me move inside you."

"Yes," she said not really understanding his intention. She felt his fingers penetrate her, the muscles hugging them as though they were the answer to her prayers.

"You're ready for me," he said with a low hum. "Do you want me, Anna?"

"Yes." She had never wanted anything more in her entire life.

He fumbled around with his breeches, pushed his hands up under her dress to grasp her bare buttocks as he lifted her. "Wrap your legs around me, your arms about my neck."

She did as he asked, desire raging through her veins. She felt him then, pushing inside her, thick and solid. Swallowing a gulp, it suddenly occurred to her to tell him the truth.

"Wait," she panted, her breathless word lost amidst the sound of crashing surf echoing through the cave. "Marcus."

"God, you're so sweet, Anna."

When she opened her mouth to caution him, he claimed it again, delved deeper with his tongue as he thrust inside her with a loud groan of appreciation.

Her throat muscles spasmed, but she managed to let out a painful cry. "No. Please, wait." Every muscle in her body felt stiff, rigid. The pain was short, sharp, quickly subsiding. "Give me a minute," she gasped. "I've not done this before."

"I know it's a little cold, but we'll soon warm up."

"I … I've never been with a man," she managed to say as he thrust inside her again.

Marcus froze.

"Bloody hell," he muttered as she felt him withdraw. "What the hell do you mean?" He lowered her down until her feet touched the carpet of sand and shale. "Damn it, where's the bloody candle?"

"I dropped it."

He fiddled with his breeches, then stepped closer until she could see the amber flecks in his brown eyes, could feel his breath against her cheek. "Tell me I imagined it. Tell me I am so drunk with desire I misheard you."

"No, no. There's no m

istake." The guilt in her voice was evident.