‘I can read you, remember?’
‘Touch me,’ she whispered.
‘I am touching you, Eva.’
Yes, and her bones were melting, but it wasn’t enough. Roman knew that, just as she knew there was more—if she could only bring herself to ask. But for once in her headstrong, outspoken life, she couldn’t find the words.
‘Why don’t you show me, if you find that easier?’ Roman suggested.
‘Ramp up the pressure?’
‘Why not?’ he murmured.
He was testing her. But she could do this. She certainly wanted it enough. Finding his hand, she guided him, only to be rewarded by the most fleeting and frustrating brush of his fingertips.
‘That isn’t fair.’
‘Who says so?’ Leaning back, he stared down at her, his voice husky and amused.
‘Then I’ll take you on a journey.’
‘Please.’ His stare was dark and not a bit concerned.
She gasped noisily when he cupped her.
‘Dio, Eva. Do you know how hot you are, how ready, how responsive? Let me pleasure you—’
‘Standing up?’
‘Why not?’
It seemed so wicked, that was why not. And would her legs even hold her?
‘Make it easy for me, Eva...’
Roman’s urgent whisper told her what to do. She put her feet wider, easing her legs apart. She felt shy suddenly. Eva Skavanga, shy. In the short time she’d been on Roman’s island, he had reduced her to a trembling body of need with only one thought in mind, which was relief from the frustration he had provoked.
This was incredible. Resting her head against the firm wall of his chest, she parted her lips to drag in air. And still he was stroking her everywhere except that one place she needed him. ‘You will kill me—’
‘I very much doubt that, Eva.’
A shuddering breath gushed noisily out of her as Roman explored her sensitive flesh with his long, lean fingers, always denying her that final contact she so desperately craved.
‘You’re too eager, Eva. You’re in too much of a hurry to reach the end.’ Dipping his head, Roman stared into her eyes. ‘And I’m going to teach you the benefit of restraint.’
‘I don’t want to—’
His laugh cut her off. ‘Do you have any idea of how ready you are? How hot? How moist? How swollen? But if you want anything more from me, you’ll have to tell me exactly what that is.’
‘Everything...I want it all.’
‘Specifics?’ he pressed, showing her no mercy.
Her answer was to shift position in the hope that Roman might not move his hand and she could trick him into touching her.
He laughed softly. ‘Naughty.’ He had easily anticipated what she was going to do. ‘My rules, Eva.’
‘So touch me again,’ she insisted, turning from penitent and accepting into the old Eva.
Angling his chin, Roman murmured, ‘What a relief.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean, rumours that the firebrand Eva Skavanga has vanished have proved to be wildly exaggerated.’
‘You’re glad to say?’ she queried wryly.
‘I’m very happy to say,’ Roman confirmed.
‘Then get on with it.’
Breath shot out of her as he touched her. The ache was unsustainable. It was beating in her head, behind her eyes and in her ears, drowning out her heartbeat. It was drowning out everything. But this still wasn’t enough—
‘Touch me, Roman. You know what I need. Don’t torture me any longer.’
He laughed soft and deep as he stared down at her. ‘You know I love nothing more than to see you burning up with lust.’
‘I’ll burn if you do as I ask. I’ll go out like a damp squib if you don’t. You started this and now you must finish it.’
‘Finish you, don’t you mean?’ His firm lips curved in the dark, taunting smile that could always send shock waves of lust racing through her.
‘Lie on the bed Eva.’
Her throat closed. Her heart stopped. She was clumsy with desire. Roman had to steady her and help her onto the bed.
‘Don’t stop this time,’ she warned on a shaking breath.
‘I’ll do everything I can to help you, Eva.’
‘Like an interesting project?’
‘Like a woman I want to please—the only woman I want to please. Like a woman I want to see come apart with pleasure in my arms.’
‘So you enjoy administering and observing pleasure?’ she said, making herself comfortable on the bank of cushions.