He watched her unfasten it, staggered at how that single, simple gesture, that tiny inch of exposed skin, could electrify him. He felt his lungs clog, his blood sizzle, and his needs, all the long-denied needs, beg for release.

‘‘Stop, Grace.’’ He said it gently. ‘‘Don’t do that.’’

Her hands fell back to her sides in defeat, and she shut her eyes.

‘‘Let me do it.’’

Her eyes blinked open, stared stunned at his sober gaze as he stepped to her. She took in one shaky breath and held it.

‘‘I’ve always wanted to,’’ he murmured and slipped the next tiny button free.

‘‘Oh.’’ The breath she held came out in a hitch and a sob. ‘‘Ethan.’’

‘‘You’re so pretty.’’ She was already trembling. He lowered his head to brush a kiss over her lips and soothe. ‘‘So soft. I’ve got rough hands.’’ Watching her, he skimmed his knuckles down her cheek, over her throat. ‘‘But I won’t hurt you.’’

‘‘I know. I know you won’t.’’

‘‘You’re shaking.’’ He undid another button, then another.

‘‘I can’t help it.’’

‘‘I don’t mind.’’ Patiently he eased the buttons free to her waist. ‘‘I guess I knew, deep down, if I walked in here tonight, I wouldn’t be able to walk away again.’’

‘‘I’ve been wishing you’d walk in here. I’ve been wishing it a long time.’’

‘‘So have I.’’ The buttons were so tiny, his fingers so big. Her skin, where the dress parted, where the edge of his thumb slid up, was so soft and warm. ‘‘You tell me if I do something you don’t like. Or if I don’t do something you want.’’

The sound she made was part moan, part laugh. ‘‘I’m not going to be able to talk in a minute. I can’t get my breath. But I wish you’d kiss me.’’

‘‘I was getting to it.’’ He nibbled gently, teasingly, because he hadn’t taken his time the first time he’d tasted her. Now he would linger, sample, find a rhythm that suited them both. When her sigh filled his mouth, it was sweet. He loosened more buttons and let the long, deepening kiss spin out.

Touched her nowhere else, not yet. Only mouth against mouth with flavors mixed. When she swayed, he lifted his head, looked into her eyes. Clouded now, heavy and aware.

‘‘I want to see you.’’ Slowly, inch by inch, he slipped the dress from her shoulders. They were sun-kissed, strong, gracefully curved. He’d always thought she had theprettiest shoulders, and now he indulged himself by tasting them.

The hum in her throat told him she was both surprised and pleased by the attention. He had a great deal more to give her.