His body tightened. She wore it very well.
“So.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorjamb, blatantly enjoying the view. “Are you going to explain? Or are you still too embarrassed?”
“Rhett,” she chastised, but she wouldn’t meet his gaze.
“The very last person you should be embarrassed with is me.” He sniffed the air, the lingering scent of sex unmistakable. “I just made you scream my name when you came, Gabriella. Come on.”
She waved a hand at him, her head still averted. “I can’t have a serious discussion with you while you’re standing there naked.”
“You’re not even looking at me. Besides, you think I can remain serious when you’re sitting there naked?” He waved a hand at her in return. “Just because you’re partially covered up doesn’t mean I don’t know what you look like under that sheet.”
“Oh my God.” She tilted her head back, gazed up at the ceiling. “Open the window, would you, please?”
Frowning at her odd request, he went to the window and pushed back the plantation shutters, then slid open the window. Immediately a breeze blew through, bringing with it the scent of the ocean and smoke from the nearby torches that were lit every evening at sunset.
“Now, come over here and sit by me.” He turned to see her pat the empty spot next to her on the bed.
Like a dutiful child, he went to her, slipping beneath the sheet beside her, leaning back against the pillows. He rested his hand gently on her lower back, caressing her soft skin, and she trembled beneath his touch. The low roar of the ocean sounded in the distance and shadows danced about the darkening room. Peaceful. Sensual. Velvety quiet…
“What do you smell now?” She glanced over her shoulder, a wavy lock of dark blonde hair falling across her eye.
“You,” he answered simply. He drew his fingers back and forth between the two dimples that rested just above her pert ass.
She rolled her eyes. “Besides me.”
“Hmm, the usual. I can smell the ocean, the smoke from the torches that are burning outside.” He sat up, pressed his mouth to her slender shoulder. “With your skin, there’s more to it. You smell like me.”
Ella remained silent for a moment. “That’s what I’m referring to, the combination of both our scents, accompanied by the smells of the island.” Her voice hitched when he kissed a path along her shoulder. “I’ve been contemplating a formula that hopefully captures all of it. I’ve made some notes, come up with a few ideas since we’ve been here though I haven’t really discussed it with you. As soon as we return to New York, I’m going to the lab. I’m hopeful it’s exactly what you’re looking for.”
“Mmm, it sounds amazing.” He pressed a hot, open-mouth kiss to the spot behind her ear, the one he knew she liked. “Will it smell like you here?”
“Maybe it will.” There was a quiver underlining her words, one he knew he put there, and he wrapped his arms around her from behind, reaching up to cup both of her breasts. They fit his palms perfectly, her hard nipples rubbing against his fingers, and he squeezed her. “Rhett, we’re trying to have a serious conversation.”
“Oh, I agree.” He sounded perfectly innocent, though his thoughts were far from that. It amazed him, how fast she aroused him. How quickly he wanted her. “But I need to figure out exactly what you’re talking about in regards to the scent. I am in charge, after all.”
“Of course you’re in charge.” Her voice was weak and she sighed when he glided his hands down her belly. “But you’re distracting me.”
“You always distract me.” He pressed his cheek to hers and cupped her sex with his hand, felt the wetness coating his fingers, the heat of her searing his skin. “And I like how easily you say I’m in charge.” He wasn’t talking about being her boss, either. “You’re always so wet, Gabriella.”
She said nothing, her increased breathing the only indication she was affected by his words, his touch.
Sliding his fingers along her delicate folds, he smiled when she spread her legs wider, giving him better access. He removed his hand and brought it to her face, settling his fingers close to her nose. “Will it smell like this?”
Ella melted into him but didn’t reply.
“You smell amazing, hot and feminine.” Where the words came from, he wasn’t sure. But he spoke the truth. He enjoyed nothing more than burying his face between her legs. Tasting her wet, warm flesh, breathing her in. Until he became completely absorbed in the very essence of her, the most intimate part of her she shielded from all.
And shared only with him.
Knowing he gave her that gift, made her come so easily, so beautifully, always filled him with pride. He was the one who did that to her. Who made her writhe, who made her cry out, who made her fall apart. He’d never realized what a powerful aphrodisiac it was, to be the one who gave another such pleasure.
His heart racing, his cock rising, he tightened his hold on her, his fingers biting into her flesh. He felt like a beast tonight. Primal, mindless with the urge to take. He wanted to shock her. He wanted to get inside her head, make her squirm, make her beg.
“Say something.” He whispered the command, his voice light as air yet u
nderscored with an edge of steel. Damn it, he wanted a response. He wanted to know what she was feeling, what she was thinking.
He needed to know if she was experiencing the same chaotic jumble of thoughts, the overwhelming emotions that were trying to seize hold of his heart.