Was she afraid of him? Of what had happened? He couldn’t bear it if she hated herself for giving in to the overwhelming tension that had been building ever since he’d taken her back to New York.

“What are you thinking?” he asked hoarsely. “Tell me you don’t regret this, Kell. Anything but regret.”

Slowly she shook her head and he felt something loosen inside him. Relief. But it was only the first step.

He caressed her cheek, enjoying the feel of her satiny skin. No matter how much he’d told himself that he was better off without her, that he was well rid of her, he could no longer lie to himself.

He wanted her. He wanted her back, no matter what she’d done in the past. He’d been forced to examine their relationship after he’d broken their engagement and ordered her out of his apartment—and his life. Maybe he’d been partially to blame. Maybe he’d worked too many hours. Maybe he’d neglected her.

Whatever the case, something had gone horribly wrong and he was determined to find the cause so that it didn’t happen again.

Unable to resist, he kissed her forehead and then each eyelid. He gently kissed each cheekbone and then her mouth before nibbling a path to her ear.

Amazingly, his groin tightened and he swelled inside the clasp of her satiny flesh. He flexed his hips against her eliciting a low whimper as her fingers curled into his shoulder.

He slid easily in and out and he nudged her leg up with his own so that he had easier access.

“Do you like it here on your side?” he murmured. “Are you comfortable? Or would you prefer to be on top?”

She flushed and he smiled, delighted by this suddenly shy side of her. She’d never been bashful about taking the initiative in the past and suddenly he wanted to coax that out of her again.

Without waiting for her to respond, he gathered her in his arms and rolled so she was astride him, her hands planted on his chest for balance.

She was hot and tight around him and he clenched his teeth, closing his eyes as he sucked in steadying breaths. He’d already lost every ounce of control the first time. He wanted to make it last this time.

Her knees locked at his sides and she lifted her hips the tiniest bit before lowering her weight once more to surround him with silky, heated sweetness that had sweat beading his forehead.

She seemed inhibited and a little unsure and this new shyness from her continued to be endearing as hell. He reached for her, wanting to offer reassurance, but as his hands stroked up her lush body, over her swollen belly to her gorgeous breasts, he forgot all about offering her anything except the pleasure of his touch.

He stroked the swell of her breasts, enjoying the new fullness. Her nipples were darker, more pronounced, and his mouth watered with wanting to taste them again.