She went willingly, wanting to feel his strong arms around her. His mouth claimed hers with a kiss that left her breathless.
He pressed his lips against her cheeks, her nose, the line of her jaw. He trailed his way to her neck, then kissed just below her ear. Goose bumps erupted as he licked the skin there. He moved lower, to her collarbone, then to the V of the long-sleeved shirt she wore. The hands at her waist reached higher.
Desire poured through her. Hunger grew. She remembered how it had been before, when he’d touched her with his skilled and patient fingers. She remembered the feel of him between her legs, filling her over and over again.
She put her right hand over his left and stepped away. Keeping hold of him, she drew him toward the stairs.
“You wanted to see the upstairs,” she whispered.
“I did.” He put his free hand on the railing. “Should I stop to admire the workmanship?”
She laughed. “Maybe later.”
She led him into her bedroom. It was already dark outside. She flipped on the switch, which illuminated the floor lamp in the corner.
The room itself was a girly combination of soft fabrics, dozens of pillows and delicate furniture. Her queen-size bed had a carved headboard. The walls were done in pale mauve. It was a woman’s retreat.
Tucker paused for a second and glanced around. “I like it. It suits you.”
No one had ever said that before. Even her sisters had been surprised by her decorating choices. In her mind, this room reflected a part of her personality that she kept hidden—sometimes even from herself.
Tucker toed off his boots, then walked toward her. “Tell me there’s a big claw-foot tub in the bathroom.”
She smiled. “There is.”
“You’re my kind of girl.”
They moved into the bathroom. While he got the bath temperature right, she lit candles. As water poured into the tub, he crossed to her. He kissed her, his tongue plunging inside and circling hers. His hands roamed her body.
Everywhere he touched grew more and more sensitized. A stroke of his fingers across her hip had her squirming toward home. Fingers down her arm had her wanting more. When his hands finally settled on her br**sts, she had to consciously keep from begging.
He brushed against her tight ni**les. Tension surged in her belly, then moved lower. She closed her lips around his tongue and sucked. The fingers at her br**sts moved faster.
“Water,” he murmured as he pulled back.
She released him reluctantly, knowing the disaster an overflowing tub would cause.
He turned off the taps, then unbuttoned his shirt. When he’d dropped it on the floor, he went to work on what she was wearing. Her shirt followed his. He unfastened her jeans and tugged them off along with her socks, then quickly removed her bra and panties. He paused to kiss her br**sts before taking off the rest of his clothes.
She stepped into the tub first. The water was warm, lapping against her skin. He stepped in behind her and settled in. She sat in front of him, her back to him.
“Wait a minute,” she complained. “This isn’t going to work.”
“It’s going to work just fine,” he whispered against her skin. “Trust me.”
He pressed his lips to the skin at the nape of her neck. At the same time, he brought his hands around her body and cupped her br**sts. The curves were buoyant in the water, her body more sensitized to his touch.
She closed her eyes and let herself relax against him. Tucker was strong enough to support her, she thought hazily, pleased by the feel of his large erection pressing into her back. Smart enough to know what to do next and plenty willing to take them both on a ride. Very nice qualities in a man.
He continued to stroke her br**sts, paying particular attention to her ni**les. Fire licked through her, moving to all the best parts of her body, heating her, causing her to squirm slightly and want just a little bit more. As if he could read her mind, he moved one hand lower, sliding deliberately down her belly until he found his way between her thighs.
She was already swollen, excited, halfway there. He rediscovered her most sensitive spot, rubbing it with his fingers. She parted her legs and gave herself up to the experience. As he caressed her rhythmically, her breathing quickened. Pleasure grew, muscles tensed.
“Come for me.”
He breathed the words in her ear. They were an unexpected jolt that caused her to open her eyes.
Through the frothy layer of bubbles, she saw his hand pleasing her. Felt what he was doing at the same time. His skin was darker than hers, tanned by his hours outdoors. His hands were large, so masculine—and what he did to her.
As she watched, her muscles clenched and she knew she was getting closer. He moved faster, drawing her further along. Involuntarily, her eyes closed as she gave herself up to the moment.