“Always so guarded,” he mocked. “You may struggle to speak the truth, but I can read it in your eyes, feel it in your tender touch.”
“I have never denied my feelings for you,” she managed to say, although she had made him forget what he meant to her.
The corners of his mouth curled up into a wicked grin as his brown eyes twinkled. “In the castle, you said that once our lips met, you knew I was the one you’d been dreaming of.”
She swallowed deeply, wondering at his motive for making the comment. “Yes.”
“I find it hard to believe it would take but a single kiss. I think you should show me what happened while I slept. Show me how one touch could rouse such a powerful emotion.”
“You know I cannot do that.” She shook her head vigorously as a way of convincing herself such an act was sheer folly.
“Then you leave me no choice but to use my imagination.”
Leo stretched his arms out across the back of the leather seat and closed his eyes. Ivana heard his slow, rhythmical breathing, watched the rise and fall of his chest with interest. Seconds passed before she felt the warm sensation flare deep in her core. The sudden pulsing between her legs sent a bolt of desire racing through her body, forcing her to suck in a breath.
The fragments of memories flashing through her mind evoked the kiss they had shared in her chamber. Leo had an extraordinary ability to fuse his thoughts with hers. So much so, she knew if she closed her eyes she would believe she was still encompassed in his warm embrace.
When it came to the only man she had ever loved, she was weak and powerless to refuse him whatever his heart desired.
Just to torment her, he whispered, “I know you want me, Ivana. I know you are just as keen as I to relive the experience.”
A desperate urge to surrender took hold, forcing her to make an error. Carried away on the blissful wave of ecstasy rippling through her, she closed her eyes. An erotic image of his naked body flooded her vision. She saw the joy on his face as he found his release inside her. She felt the inner peace that only enveloped her when she was with him.
“I want you so much it is killing me.” The tremor in her voice mimicked the tumultuous beats of her heart.
She could not say no to him.
The fear that usually permeated her thoughts had been suppressed by her overwhelming need to join with her one true mate. If they were quick, if they remained enclos
ed in the carriage, then perhaps she could contain her emotion. Perhaps then no one else would learn of it.
He must have felt her resolve melting under the heat raging within.
“Come to me, Ivana. Let us indulge our desires.”
Her eyes sprung open. She met his intense gaze and without another word flew to the opposite side of the carriage into his open arms.
Perhaps it was her need to hurry that made her tear at his clothes like a woman possessed. Perhaps it was the need to experience that which she had denied herself for so long that caused her to devour his mouth as though she would die if she did not taste him again.
“Show me what I mean to you,” he panted hoarsely. “Take me into your body.” The urgency in his voice was unmistakable, and he unbuttoned his breeches to let his manhood spring free.
Ivana bunched her dress up to her waist to straddle him. Ripples of pure ecstasy travelled through her as she slid slowly down on the solid length. Despite the slight resistance, her body having been starved of him for far too long, he impaled her with a loud roar of satisfaction.
“Oh, Leo,” she gulped as she took him deep inside, gripped him tight as he filled her full. The sensation of partnering him in the most intimate of acts brought tears of pure joy to her eyes.
His hands were everywhere all at once: on her bare thighs, cupping her buttocks as he thrust quick and hard.
“Don’t stop,” she whispered, as he pounded into her over and over. Once would never be enough for her. She would rather die than be without him again. “Don’t ever stop loving me.”
“Bloody hell, I can’t get enough of you,” he growled before claiming her mouth, tasting her until their tongues became lost amidst the wild frenzy of moans and groans.
“It has been so long,” she murmured as he moved to nip the sensitive skin on her neck. “I need you, Leo. For now, for always.”
“I can’t touch you like this. Turn around,” he commanded, and she felt empty as he withdrew from her hungry body. “Kneel on the seat.”
She did as he asked. Once under his spell, she would do anything he asked.
With one hand braced against the seat, the other holding her crumpled dress up around her waist, he came behind her and entered her in one long delicious slide.