Quite suddenly, she rather wished she’d moved nearer to the couch because the desire, the want, the need reflected in his expression already had her knees threatening to buckle.

Then his hands were gently cradling her jaw, his thumbs meeting at the shallow dimple in her chin, creating the top part of a heart turned upside down as he held her. It was silly to keep the mask on, and yet it afforded some sort of protection, some sense that she was in charge, when the reality was that she hadn’t been since the moment he’d approached her. No, before that. From the moment he’d begun striding toward her. That was his power, his strength, his allure. He took command and held on to it.

That thought alone was enough to have her knees weakening. She’d never been so close to a man who seemed fully capable of ruling hearts. She would not give him hers. All she would grant him was use of her body, and in giving him that, she would be using him as well.

Holding her gaze, he lowered his head only a fraction, and she ceased to breathe as her stomach quivered in anticipation. She licked her lips, taking satisfaction as his gaze dropped to her tongue, dampening what he would soon be tasting. Strange how the smoldering in his eyes made her feel powerful, allowed her to regain some control.

But when his mouth landed on hers, she realized it had all been an illusion. She had no control, whatsoever. No thought, no scheming, no goals—only taking pleasure from this simple exercise, a mating of lips and tongue, breaths and sighs. His fingers skimmed along her jaw, her chin, over and over, as though he sought to permanently embed their shape within his palms. Their goal accomplished, his hands glided along her throat, over her shoulders, and down her back, pressing her nearer as his arms cocooned around her. Hers circled his waist, her hands spreading wide over his broad back, and she resented the coat he wore that prevented her from outlining the corded muscles she was rather certain composed him. But that opportunity would come shortly, for surely he would at least divest himself of his jacket before taking her completely.