With a smile she released her hold on her towel, acutely aware of its journey along the short length of her body until it pooled at her feet on the floor, noting how his hand fisted more tightly around his towel, his knuckles turning white. Reaching out, she threaded her fingers through his unoccupied hand and began leading him toward her bed.

Although he’d offered, with all good intentions, to walk out if she wished, he hadn’t been sure how he’d accomplish that action when his body was straining with the need to be with her, to bury itself in her, to hear her cries as passion rode her. As she pulled him from the bathing chamber, he released his death grip on the towel and padded after her.

Never in his life had it seemed so important that he get it right, that he make it perfect—for her.

As they neared the bed, she let go of his hand, reached up, and began plucking the pins from her hair. His gut tightened as the waves of black silk cascaded around her shoulders, along her back, halting just shy of the dimple in her backside. Plowing his hand through the satiny tresses, he stopped her from climbing onto the bed, turned her around, tilted back her head, and settled his mouth over hers as though it belonged there. And damned if it didn’t feel as though it did.

But then it had felt that way from the very first time they’d kissed. Everything with her always seemed right, seemed new and yet familiar.

Falling against him, she wound one arm around his neck, carried the other on a journey around his back as though she wanted him as close to her as he had an urge to be. She was warm softness from head to toe. While her skin didn’t squeak as he dragged his hands over it, she felt untouched, pure, pristine, a goddess bestowing her attentions on a mere mortal. He’d never felt more humbled, more undeserving of something so exquisite. But he wasn’t fool enough to give up and not work to be deserving. Especially when she was no shy miss but was taking her tongue on a journey that mapped out every nook and crevice of his mouth while still managing to occasionally return for a slow seductive waltz with his tongue.

She had no timidity about her when it came to any aspect of her life. Her passions guided her, and they’d led her into his embrace. He couldn’t have been more grateful.

Lifting her into his arms, he placed her on the bed and followed her down.