He groaned at the sound of his name as he quickly slipped the bra straps down her shoulders. He unhooked the front clasp, releasing her bosom. John fanned his fingers across her small dusky nipples and squeezed her flesh in his large hands. Victoria curled her back and folded her body against his arms. Her hands slid from his shoulders to his chest and neck, digging her nails into his skin. When she let her head fall back, her mouth fell open and her eyes closed. Her sharp pants kept the same pace as her grinding, “Please,” she gasped. “More...”

While John enjoyed having a near-naked woman dry-hump his stiff erection, he wanted to give her more. Whatever she asked for, he would give it to her. He left her breasts and started undoing the buttons on his own shirt, determined to keep up with her.

Holding her ass to keep her steady on his lap, he took off his flannel. Victoria wrenched his undershirt over his head and tossed it over the couch. John pulled her against his naked torso and covered her mouth with his, delivering a shuddering kiss. She returned it with reckless abandon, sending new spirals of ecstasy through him. Their tongues circled and sparred, sliding against each other. Victoria kissed him with a hunger that belied his previous apprehensions. He moaned against her lips and kissed her deeper, plunging his tongue further. When she broke away, Victoria gasped for air, her chest heaving against his.

“I want...” Her voice was strained.

“What, darling?” he whispered, his lips brushing her neck. “What do you want?”

She was near tears with want. Her fingers fisted in his hair pulling him closer to her. “I want to drop the mask. I want you to see me.”

John’s breath caught in his throat. Before, sex with Victoria felt almost like a game. A fun list of positions and locations to share passionate moments before they had to return to their previously scheduled lives. Now, as he listened to her breathy request, he knew he was getting a different Victoria. He could see her as clearly as he could he feel her pounding heart.

She wants more.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

As soon as Victoria said the words, she knew they were the truth.

John had listened to her fears and told her it was okay. That she was okay. As she straddled his lap, she searched his gaze with clear eyes. This beautiful man wanted more than her schedule, more than her rigid guidelines. He wanted her. And she desperately wanted to give herself to him tonight.