Light. I can see again. He tosses the sweater on the nightstand.
“Now what are you going to do with me?” I ask.
He reaches toward the nightstand and clicks on a soft light. “Stare. Absorb every inch of your beauty.”
My heart flutters so fast I’m scared it will fly right into his hands.
I wasn’t sure we’d end up here, but I was hopeful. I’m wearing a pretty black lace bra with extra-thin straps arching over the tops of my breasts, showing them off. I pull my shoulders back and peek up at him through my lashes.
His hot, hungry eyes slide over every inch of me but he seems frozen.
I’m burning. Hot all over. “Kiss me, Grayson.”
The next kiss, when it comes, starts slow and tender. Soft nibbling, exploring, then exploding into deeper searching, our tongues sliding together. My hands reach for him, curling into his shirt and tugging. Closer—I need his body so much closer. On the bed with me. Over me, caging me in so I feel safe and protected.
His thumb brushes the side of my breast, and I reach behind me to unhook my bra.
He draws back, watching intently. I slow my movements. Undoing the clasp, then taking my time sliding the straps off my shoulders.
He lifts his gaze to my eyes, as if he’s peering into my soul. It leaves me more exposed than sitting here almost topless.
“Go on,” he whispers.
I drop the bra to the side.
There’s a sharp intake of air and he drops to his knees in front of me, resting his hands on my legs. I inch them apart, making room for him to move closer. Holding my gaze, he dips in to kiss one nipple.
I sigh and tilt my head back, exposing my neck and offering myself. His hands slide over the outsides of my thighs, under my dress, seeking, searching for the top of my tights. He hooks his fingers into the waistband and tugs. My underwear peels away with the tights and I lift myself enough for him to roll them past my hips. He leans in and presses a kiss to my inner thigh.
“I had a hard time not doing this all night,” he whispers, kissing my other thigh. His beard tickles and scrapes against my sensitive skin. I brace my palms against the mattress to steady myself.
He gently unlaces my boots and tugs everything off the rest of the way, stopping to kiss certain spots. Behind my knee, my calf, my ankle. He appreciates and admires every part of me.
“Lie back for me.”
Another pulse of heat rushes over me. I stretch out, raise my arms above my head, and stare at the ceiling for a second.
Firm hands wrap around my ankles, lifting and placing my feet on the bed. I let my knees fall together and press my skirt down, suddenly shy.
Gray doesn’t seem to mind. He kisses one knee, then the other, gently stroking my legs. He’s the most patient man I’ve ever known.
My knees part. Rough fingers stroke my inner thighs. I open wider and he growls. “That’s beautiful.”
I reach for him, my fingertips grazing his cheek.
He dips to kiss my inner wrist, then curls his fingers around mine.
Our hands linked together deepens everything, grounds and connects me to him in a way I didn’t expect.
With his free hand, he strokes between my legs, slowly running his thumb over my lips. My body jolts, arches into his touch.
“Gray, please?” I whisper urgently.
“Serena, it’s been an eternity.” He runs his hand down my leg again. “Please let me take my time and feast on you.”
Oh my God. I’m not sure I can handle this.
He stares at my body for several heartbeats. Like maybe this is a tease or a test, and he’s afraid I’ll disappear any second.
“Gray?” I roll my hips, bumping his hand. “Touch me again, please? Take your time. But don’t stop touching me.”
My whispered plea seems to snap him out of his trance.
He grips my hips and yanks me to the edge of the bed, admiring, kissing, appreciating every inch of skin he comes into contact with.
Finally, he pushes my skirt up around my hips. Why didn’t I take this off? I twist and wrestle with the wool. I wasn’t kidding about it being from my school days, and it’s a bit tight in the middle.
“Leave it,” he orders.
His rough demand sends a shiver of desire down my spine.
My eyes snap to his.
The corner of his mouth lifts. “I like it on you.”
His gaze slowly travels up my body, drinking me in like he’s discovered a treasure he’s been seeking his entire life. “You’re sure, Serena?”
Like a treasure he doesn’t think he deserves.
“God, yes.”
In answer, he uses his big fingers to gently peel back my lips, leaving me throbbing and exposed. Arrows of pleasure shoot straight to my center just from the anticipation of his mouth on me.