Her other garments came next. He took a long while, though, pausing to place a kiss on each inch of flesh he exposed. Becoming impatient with his tormenting slowness, Jess tried to help, but Devlin stopped her. "This is my pleasure," he stated firmly.
Finally, though, only her shift remained. Slowly he tugged on the straps. Her bodice fell away and her bare, trembling breasts spilled out.
Devlin audibly sucked in his breath.
The room wasn't at all chilly, warmed as it was by the hotel's central furnace, and yet Jess shivered as eyes of heated gray roamed over her, touching her intimately, their admiration unmistakable. She felt alive and radiantly female—and very much wanted.
To her surprise—and regret—all he did was look. And when he removed the undergarment entirely and she finally stood shyly naked before him, he merely lifted her in his arms and carried her to the tub, lowering her carefully into the hot water.
Her regret fadi
ng, Jess gave a sigh of pure unadulterated pleasure. "This really is heaven," she murmured, which brought an indulgent chuckle from her husband.
"It doesn't take much to please you."
Scooping up a handful of bath salts from the jar that sat beside the tub, he sprinkled the crystals over the water, then swirled it with his fingers. Jess leaned her head back and closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of the silky water, feeling her tiredness seep away. "I could get addicted to this."
"Good," Devlin replied, straightening and turning away.
She kept her eyes shut while Devlin popped the cork on the bottle of champagne, only opening them again when he handed her a full glass and a plate of flaky croissants filed with thin slices of ham and dripping with melted cheese. He fed her a bite, then took one himself, before stepping back to remove his own clothing.
"This is so decadent," she repeated lazily, letting the bubbly wine roll around on her tongue.
His mouth lifted on an indolent grin as he pulled off his soot-streaked shirt. "If I have my way, you'll learn to fully enjoy decadence, Mrs. Devlin."
Mrs. Devlin. Devlin's wife. She still wasn't sure she could believe it. After all the accusations she'd made against him, after all the times she'd mistrusted him and doubted him, he still professed to love her. She'd never imagined she would be lucky enough to win the love of a man like him. It was impossible, but somehow she'd done it. She'd caught her own unreachable wild star.
Fully aware of her good fortune, she glanced over at him. Devlin had stripped off his clothing and was standing at the washstand, lathering his stubbled jaw, his right side toward her.
She tried not to stare, but the display of rippling muscles in his arms and shoulders held her gaze like a magnet. He stood there, entirely naked, in broad daylight, without the least sign of self-consciousness or embarrassment-just like the first time she had seen him, his naked torso framed by his hotel window. But this time she had a right to watch.
Heat rising to her cheeks, she took in the beauty of the man who was now her husband . . . the hard, sleek body, the potent masculinity. He was her dream lover, handsome, magnificent.
Hesitantly, with increasing boldness, she let her gaze drop lower, to fasten on the swollen shaft at his groin. He was fully aroused, his splendid erection blatant, powerful, beautifully formed. The sight of that masculine flesh that could give such wild, wild pleasure sent Jessica's pulse rate soaring, while the thought of having that rigid fullness thrusting inside her, filling her, made her hot all over.
Suddenly becoming aware of her lustful thoughts, she swallowed the rest of her croissant and resumed her bath, soaping herself all over. A bottle of shampoo scented with lemon sat beside the tub, and she used it to wash her hair.
She had just finished ducking her head under the water to rinse out the suds when Devlin carried a pitcher of fresh warm water over to her. Having him so near, so naked, had a devastating effect on her senses. She couldn't seem to move. And he was watching her, his eyes filled with an intimate fire. She submitted to his lazy scrutiny with a shiver of excitement.
He knelt beside the tub and slowly poured the contents of the pitcher over her hair, his fingers kneading the remaining soap from her wet tresses, gently plying her scalp. Jess closed her eyes, nearly melting at his tenderness.
His magical fingers drifted across her face and throat and shoulders, then lower, to cup and fondle her bare breasts. She drew a sharp breath and came totally awake, her lashes lifting.
"I get to finish washing you." He gave her a slow smile that held so much sexual charm it made her tremble. "You neglected a few spots," he explained, his thumbs making lazy circles over the sensitive buds.
Jess clenched her teeth, wondering how long she could bear such sweet torment, but Devlin remained unhurried, taking his time, his fingers smoothing, skimming over the slick wet flesh. Finally, he scooped up a handful of water and let it dribble over her breasts. Then, his hands curling around her upper arms, holding her still, he leaned forward.
She inhaled a sharp breath as he captured a tight, hurting nipple and drew it into his mouth, sending a streak of heat arrowing straight to the feminine hollow between her thighs, and dredging a hushed moan from her throat. Helplessly, Jess arched her back, letting him have his way.
His tongue swirled and lapped, tasting, teasing, tormenting her nipples till they throbbed with a pleasure so intense it was almost painful. Jess was softly panting by the time he finally drew back and got to his feet.
"Stand up, sweetheart, will you?"
She didn't know if it was possible. Weakly, Jess unfolded her long legs and tried to stand, clutching at him for support. When she started to step from the tub, though, Devlin forestalled her.
"No, stay. You're not even halfway finished, love."
Her eyes widened as he stepped into the tub and settled himself in her place. Then turning Jess so that she faced away from him, he drew her down, her back to him, her hips cradled by his hard thighs. The position was a bit cramped, and the higher water level lapped at the tub's rim, but Jess couldn't find the slightest desire to protest. She lay back obediently, resting her head in the curve of her husband's shoulder.