Shadow Warrior (Shadow Riders 4)

He kissed her eyelids and trailed more kisses down her cheek to the corner of her mouth. His tongue teased the seam of her lips until she opened, and he caught her breath and swallowed it down. Her breasts were heaving beneath the crush of his chest, but she kissed him back, one arm sliding around his neck, while she simply put her other hand on his rib cage.

He took his time, kissing her long. Kissing her hard. Moving from gentle to rough. He let her take his weight longer, mashing her soft breasts into his chest and resting his hips in the cradle of hers. She didn’t fight him, didn’t try to get out from under him although her air was restricted. She relaxed into him, her body seemingly melting into his. He lifted his head to frame her face, watching her struggle a little to breathe, but pulling in air determinedly. She had given herself to him and she was still doing so. Reluctantly, he eased his body off of hers, so she could breathe properly.

He’d been extremely careful of her shoulder, keeping his weight off that arm, but he narrowed his eyes, watchful to make certain she wasn’t in pain. Finding no sign of discomfort, he kissed her neck, teased with his teeth, scraping back and forth before biting down. She yelped, and he instantly soothed the mark with his tongue. “You’re perfect, Grace.”

Her eyes shone up at him. That dazed, shocked look was receding slowly. “That had nothing to do with me and everything to do with you. I had no idea I could feel like that.”

He kissed his way to her throat and then over the curve of her right breast. “That was just the start, bella.” He licked along the upper curve and then pressed a kiss there. “There’s so much more I have to show you.”

His teeth scraped back and forth along that inviting curve. He watched her face. Felt her agitation as her breasts rose and fell in anticipation. She knew. She was waiting for it. Holding her breath. Needing. He slipped his hand between her legs and bit down gently. Her back arched, thrusting her breasts up like an offering. Hot liquid seeped from her body to his fingers. Her hips bucked. He licked at the mark he left there.

“I can’t believe something can feel that good,” she whispered.

“There’s so much more,” he reiterated. “Let’s get in the tub. I don’t want you sore.”

“Can we go out to the hot tub after I clean up a little?” She looked ruefully at the smears of blood and semen on her thighs. “I’ve been wanting to get in it since I first saw it. I love the idea of going out at night and sitting under the stars.”

He considered how tired she was. There was no way he would ever be able to keep his hands off of her if he sat with her in the hot tub. Warning her was the best policy. “Honey, if we go out to the hot tub, I’m going to be fucking your brains out. There’s no way I’ll be able to keep my hands off of you.”

She gave him a siren’s smile. “I would hope not.”

She hadn’t even winced at his language. He loved that she let him be who he was, no matter what. If anything, his choice of words sent another flush of heat spreading through her body. Her breathing was elevated all over again. He loved her beyond words.

Vittorio slipped off the bed. “Just stay there.”

“I’m kind of a mess.”

“I like you lying there, legs sprawled apart, a mixture of the two of us running down your legs. You look as hot as sin. I especially like seeing that I’m your only. I want to keep it that way. I had no idea I could be so primitive, but suddenly I am.”

She put her uninjured arm across her eyes. “I can’t believe the things you say to me.”

He turned back to her, one hand on the doorjamb leading to the bathroom. For a moment his heart stood still.

“Or the way they make me feel,” she continued, without looking at him. “I want you in me all over again just because you said that.”

“That’s going to happen sooner than you think.” He wet a cloth with warm water and after rinsing himself off, took the cloth to her. “Lie still and let me get this for you.”

“I can do it.” She started to sit.

Vittorio put a gentle hand on her chest. “I want to clean you. Later, I’ll teach you how I’d like you to clean me.” Again, he kept his gaze steady on her face. Her eyes never left his. “I’m going to be asking so much of you, Grace. I have to be able to feel as if I’m giving you back as much or more.” It was a confession, plain and simple. He took great care to be gentle as he wiped away the evidence of her innocence.