He didn’t expect her to peer at him with a dubious expression as she surveyed his person. He was a fine specimen—or at least that was what he’d been told. Her reaction said otherwise. But still, after a disarmingly long pause, she reached out and gently touched his cheek. And then she laid her palm flat and scudded it over the bristles of his beard.
He closed his eyes and allowed her this. But really, he allowed himself to savor the innocence of her touch. Despite his simmering ardor, despite the fact that his body was tense and ready and hungry for her, he basked in it.
She traced his eyebrow and the bridge of his nose. His lips.
He opened to her then and sucked at her fingertip.
She make a sound, like an eep, but didn’t pull away.
Then she touched his hair, stroked it, raked it with her nails.
“That’s nice,” he groaned.
“Is it?”
“Yes.”
“How about this?”
His eyes were closed, so he didn’t see it coming, her kiss. It was gentle and soft and utterly untrained, and he loved it. He made a sound of appreciation, deep in his throat, and he felt her smile against his mouth. He could not resist responding, could not resist dabbing her with his tongue.
He hated that she pulled way, but then she smiled when she said, “I like that.”
He peeped at her through long lashes. “My tongue?”
She flushed. “Yes. Is that wanton of me?”
“Not in the slightest. I like it too. Come here.”
This time, she did not hesitate. He cupped her cheek with his hand and held her close, and showed her some of the things a tongue could do.
Apparently, he was better than he thought he was, because she relaxed against him, from shoulder to hip, and opened to him.
He cradled her and stroked her lightly as he kissed her, savored her. Her response was sublime. As the kiss deepened and the passion arose, she became even more daring, which he adored.
She was untutored, but she had enthusiasm.
His was rising as well.
Which she noticed.
She pulled back and frowned at him, giving her bottom a wiggle. “What is that?” she said on a laugh.
He attempted to look innocent. “What is what?”
“That. It’s hard.” She bounced a little and his eyes crossed.
“That, my dear, is my cock, which you have made very hard.”
“I most certainly did not.”
“Oh, but you did.” He grinned. “You are a very good kisser.”
“Am I?” The pleasure in her expression was not feigned.
“You are. And you have aroused me beyond bearing.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“It can be.”
She studied him again with that curious look. Her lips formed a pout—which he found extraordinarily tempting. “You don’t look aroused beyond bearing.”
“Trust me. I am very aroused.”
“Well. That is good I suppose, considering what we are about. So tell me, Dev.” He shivered at the sound of his name on her lips. “What comes next?”
Ah, next. What came next was—
A knock on the door.
Apparently that was what came next.
He blew out a breath and eased her from his lap, which he hated to do because somewhere in their play, she had utterly relaxed against him. “Dinner, I believe,” he said with a commendable attempt at humor.
Her response was another pout, which, all things considered, was encouraging in the extreme.
CHAPTER FOUR
TILDY DIDN’T REALIZE how famished she was until Bronson entered the suite, in a fragrant cloud, with a tray of food and wine. After he left, Dev lifted the domes and the smells swelled. She nearly fainted.
“Oh my.” She rushed closer to take a deep sniff. “Roast beef and pudding. My favorite.”
Dev grinned. “Mine too.” He dished out a plate, poured himself a large glass of wine and then sat on his chair, but when she started to do the same, he stopped her, patting his lap again. “Let’s share,” he said.
“Share?” She glanced at the tray. There was plenty of food. Certainly enough for two plates.
“Trust me.” There was a twinkle in his eye she could not resist. She’d enjoyed being on his lap—once she’d relaxed—so close to him, soaking in his warmth and his scent. She’d wanted to stay there forever.
He patted his lap again and she complied, settling herself on him gently. He was rather hard, after all. At least, in certain places.
And on that note, she was thrilled that he found her attractive. It would most likely help in her deflowering. If they ever got to that part.
To her shock, Dev picked up a piece of beef with his fingers and dangled it before her mouth.
She blinked. “What do you expect me to do with that?”
“Open wide.”
Heat suffused her at the thought of eating from his hand. It was so intimate an act. But no less intimate than coupling with him, she supposed. So she did as he asked and he set the beef into her mouth.
It was delicious. Tender and savory with a creamy gravy. Only to be polite, she sucked the remaining gravy from his fingers and was surprised by his response. Something lit in his eyes. Something savage and predatory.
He shifted beneath her.