Her hands trailed down his back, tentative, as if she expected to be reprimanded. He closed his eyes, luxuriating in her touch, the silky feel of those wonderful hands. Hands that hed spent so many hours enjoying, fantasizing about when he wasnt with her. Hands that knew him intimately, that had touched every inch of his body.
Just for a moment, he let her, because the alternative was pulling away.
"Beautiful," he whispered against her skin softly, so she wouldnt hear.
Beautiful Hed called her beautiful. At first she thought shed imagined it, so faint was his whisper, but the word had spilled over her skin and carried to her ears.
>
It aroused her in a way no physical motions ever would.
They lay there, him blanketing her, her infused with his warmth, their bodies still joined. Finally he stirred, withdrawing from her with careful ease.
Coolness rolled over her skin, and she hugged her arms to her chest in a protective measure against the loss of his heat. To her surprise—and dismay—she heard the rustle of clothing and then the sound of the door opening. And closing.
Disappointment rendered her motionless. She lay there on the bed, arms folded over her middle as the chill settled more firmly over her.
They were gone. Just like that.
The door opened again, and her heart leapt. Gentle hands— different hands—soothed over her shoulders and then to the sash around her eyes.
She blinked at the sudden light, and Coles face came into focus as he stared down at her.
"They wanted to give you a break," he said. Tm having a tray brought up with something to eat and drink. If youre willing, theyll be back in half an hour. "
She struggled to sit up, and he reached for her hand to help her. Yes, hed seen her naked, but it was still discomfiting to sit around in the buff while they discussed her sexual debauchery.
"Thank you," she said huskily. "And yes . . . Im willing. "
Cole smiled, and his blue eyes twinkled. "They are lucky men to have such a willing woman. "
She glared for a moment before realizing he was yanking her chain. "Damons told you about me, I take it. "
"Not in so many words. There are some things about a woman that a man doesnt need to be told. Take you, for instance. Strong willed. Beautiful. Defiant. Not a woman a man could ever easily rein in. "
Beautiful. As odd flutter scuttled in her stomach. The word seemed to come so naturally to the men here, as if they appreciated the female form in all its varieties and not just those generally accepted in society.
She cocked her eyebrow as his other words settled in. "Why the hell would you want to rein a woman in?"
He chuckled. "Why indeed? I think, Julie, that you are a woman who is all the more breathtaking for that fact. "
A flush of pleasure spread over her cheeks.
"You think Im flattering you. "
She shook her head slowly. "No, Cole. I think for whatever reason, the men here are different. "
He eyed her questioningly.
"It would seem that Damon has the good sense to surround himself with men who appreciate and celebrate the differences in women. Not the sameness. "
Cole flashed her a gentle smile. "Id say you have the good sense not to listen to the men who dont appreciate your differences. "
"Damn straight," she said with a grin.
"Im very tempted to dismiss the two men who wait so anxiously to make love to you again," he murmured.
Her eyes widened. "Now why would you do that?"
"So I could have you all to myself. And trust me, Julie. You wouldnt miss having the extra guy around. "
Well damn. A hot buzz sizzled up her spine. At least now she knew what Faith and Serena saw in this place. She didnt have to be submissive to appreciate the reverence with which women were treated here.
A knock at the door sounded, causing Julie to jump and then cover herself with her hands, which was pretty laughable given her bountiful attributes and the amount of skin not covered by her graceless pose.
Calmly, Cole went to the closet and drew out a robe. He settled it around her shoulders then waited as she put her arms through the holes. When she was done, he tied it snugly at her waist and then called for the person at the door to come in.
Another handsome man entered carrying a tray—were there no ugly men on the premises? While it was nice from a feminine perspective, it seemed a bit unrealistic. But then this place was all about fantasy.
Cole took the tray and dismissed the young man with a simple gesture. As he carried it to the bed, he met her gaze with a questioning glint in his eyes.
"Want company or would you prefer to eat alone?"
She looked down. "Well, now that Im not naked, Id prefer company unless you have other debaucheries to attend. "
He laughed and settled onto the bed beside her. "I like you a lot, Julie. Youre different. So many woman—and men—come here, most curious, a few rubberneckers, most having no idea of themselves. You, on the other hand . . . "
"Oh, dont stop now," she said as she slathered creamy cheese spread on a cracker. "Ive always wanted to be psychoanalyzed in a den of iniquity. "
"You present a man the best kind of challenge. "
She rolled her eyes. "Please dont give me the line about wanting to chase down and subdue me. "
"Nope. A different sort of challenge. The challenge is to meet your needs and expectations. "
Her eyebrows went up. "Ah now, that challenge I can live with. What woman wouldnt like the thought of a man busting ass to please her?"
"I have a feeling many have tried and failed. "
"Hmm Im not so sure about the trying part but yeah, plenty have failed all right. "
She licked her fingers and then reached for the bottled water on the tray. She drank thirstily, closing her eyes in pleasure. When she opened them, Cole was staring at her with quiet intensity.
"Youre coming on to me, arent you?"
His expression didnt change but a hungry gleam entered his eyes. "If I am?"