Forsaking the Prize (The Wild Randalls 2)

Her hand touched his chest—a soft touch that trailed over his skin and left fire in its wake. Her touch firmed as her hand slid to his side, tickling his ribs and then curled around to touch his back. Tobias jerked upright as her fingers touched his scars.

Blythe followed him and sat up, her hands landing on his thigh. “Tell me what evil you did to deserve such treatment.”

“What I did is none of your business.”

Her fingertips caressed his thigh lightly. “Did you hurt someone?”

Dear God, when had Blythe grown into a temptress? “No.”

“Did you steal?”

He scoffed. “I would have lost a hand if I had done so.”

“Then you are not, in fact, a bad man.”

“Oh, you are walking a dangerous line, B.” Her fingertips danced higher and brushed the head of his cock. He groaned. “Let me be a gentleman tonight.”

“Whatever happened to you before formed your character. The man I’ve come to know is brash, bold, but never takes more than he’s given. I can’t ask you to hide your scars any more than I can hide mine.”

He faced her, puzzled by her remark. “You have scars?”

“Not like yours, but you do know of mine already. Never once have you suggested I simply forget my life before, my grief for my son and husband, as so many have suggested I do. You have been surprisingly understanding, when you never needed to be.” Her hand wrapped around his length and she stroked him, her thumb skimming over the head softly on the upstroke.

Unable to believe Blythe would do such a thing, he sat in numb shock as she gave him pleasure. After a moment or two, he shook off the daze. One of them ought to be sensible. She deserved better.

He caught her hands, forced her onto her back, and hovered over her. “This isn’t the best idea you’ve ever had, my lady. I do not want you to regret a hasty decision.”

She wriggled one hand free and shoved the sheet to her waist. “It’s not a hasty decision. You’ve given me ample time to consider the matter and I do want you.”

She rose up and landed a light kiss on his lips.

Tobias growled as her breasts, nipples pointed and hard beneath the light muslin nightgown, skimmed his chest. He dropped his weight upon her and caught her head between his hands. Her body was soft and inviting against his and he kissed her, as he had been dreaming of kissing her this last week. She matched his kiss, passion for passion, hunger for hunger until they were both writhing, the sheet a mere memory as their legs tangled.

Tobias smoothed his fingers over the soft strands of her hair as conflicting emotions rose within him. He wanted her now, fast and hard before she changed her mind; to leave her aching for him. But he also wanted to make love to her all night. Every night she’d allow him to.

He eased from her grip, pressing lighter kisses to her jaw and down the delicate curve of her throat. He would take his time. For Blythe, he would take all night until she was satisfied. He nibbled her ear lobe and then groaned when her hands skimmed his back. He’d never guessed Blythe was so fearless. She took the worst of him, his scars and manners, and made him forget they mattered. He caught her leg and lifted it to curl around his thigh. Blythe panted as he settled between her legs. He wouldn’t rush, but still the barrier of her nightgown lay between them. It had to go.

He eased away again to lift her gown higher, uncovering the dark triangle between her legs. Her curls brushed his erection and he caught her lips and kissed her soundly. “My god you are lovely,” he said as he drew back.

A slow chuckle escaped her lips. “I now understand why you’ve never had any complaints before.” She wriggled her hand between them and caressed his length. “Are you not afraid of splinters anymore?”

Tobias groaned against her throat. “I must have been out of my mind to say such a thing to you. There is nothing undesirable about you. Nothing at all.”

He inched down the bed, pleased to hear a rumble of disappointment pass Blythe’s lips when she couldn’t touch his cock any more. He kissed the skin of her chest until he reached the edge of her nightgown and exposed her breasts to the night air. Small, perfectly round—the nipples standing erect and waiting. He nuzzled them with his lips.

Her fingers curled into his hair as he took one peak into his mouth and suckled, holding the other against the palm of his free hand. Her legs opened and wrapped around his waist, bringing her moist heat firmly against his stomach. He drew on the peak as his other fingers plucked and tugged at the other nipple. Blythe curled against him and kissed the top of his head.

He looked up. Her eyes were wide, her lips parted as she panted. He smiled and rose up to kiss her again. She was lovely—a fabled incomparable. He couldn’t believe she wanted him. He didn’t deserve her gift. When he settled between her open thighs, she welcomed him with an impatient tug. She caressed his back, passing over his scars as if they didn’t exist, and squeezed his bottom. Her action made him jerk and the head of his cock butted her entrance—her wet heat drew him in.

Twenty Five

Blythe’s breath caught as Tobias slid inside her body. She tensed, expecting him to plunder, but he simply joined with her and pressed his head into the crook of her neck. After a long moment of inactivity, she nudged his shoulder

. “What’s wrong?”

Tobias shuddered, his laughter sinking into her skin. “You make everything so easy for me.”

She caught his face between her hands and peered at him. Had he already found his release? “You didn’t?”