Desire pooled in her belly. He didn’t know what he did to her, either.
“But last night …” Her doubts about Mikhail’s feelings for her came flooding back. Why hadn’t he made a move on her last night if he was so desperate for her?
“I was a fool.” He frowned. “I didn’t want to pressure you, but I paid for it afterwards.” He cast a glance down at the front of his jeans, which appeared to be far tighter than before.
Relief swept through her. He did want her. If she’d had doubts before, the evidence was right in front of her. She tried to suppress a giggle.
He must have seen the amusement on her face. “What’s funny?” He quirked an eyebrow and brought her hand to his lips.
It was time to be brave. “I want you too, Mikhail.”
“Lapushka.” His eyes sizzled with sexual desire. “Thank God.”
He stood, still holding her hand. Lacing his fingers through hers, he hovered over her. His lips claimed hers, his tongue demanding entry. Amber surrendered to him, wanting nothing more than to make love with the man she was in love with.
He lifted her into his arms, taking care not to jar her ankle. The ice pack dropped to the floor, but Amber barely noticed. This time, she nestled against his broad shoulder, confident now that she wasn’t too heavy for what she assumed was the short distance to his bedroom.
Seconds later, Mikhail swept back the brown comforter and gently deposited her on his king-sized bed. The masculine bedroom décor was navy with touches of cream.
The smooth cotton sheets were soft against her ankle, the pillow comfortable beneath her head. Before she could register any more first impressions of his bedroom, he joined her on the bed, kissing her lips tenderly at first, then passionately.
“I will be careful with your ankle,” he vowed, trailing kisses along her neck.
Amber realized she hadn’t noticed the pain in her ankle since Mikhail had declared his intention to make love to her. She wrapped her arms around his back, his muscles flexing underneath the smooth cotton fabric of his shirt.
Her breath hitched when he unbuttoned her blouse, his hands deft and sure.
“Luscious,” he breathed, his gaze fixed on her breasts encased in her white cotton sports bra.
For a regretful moment, she wished she’d worn the frothy pink lace lingerie that had just arrived at the boutique, but by the look on Mikhail’s face, right now it didn’t seem to matter what kind of bra she wore.
He unsnapped her bra, pushing the sturdy material aside, his eyes feasting on her stiff-peaked breasts.
“You are beautiful,” he murmured, his fingers trailing over the tips of her nipples.
She squirmed beneath him, her toes curling at his touch. Amber caught her breath as his mouth closed over her nipple, his tongue laving the taut peak. Her fingers dug into the muscles of his back, passion sweeping through her.
“Mikhail.” Wanting to give him the same kind of pleasure, she tugged at his shirt, attempting to pull it loose from his jeans.
He shrugged out of it, his attention returning to her breasts, his mouth trailing over her other nipple, giving it equal consideration.
She stroked the firm muscles of his back, savoring the touch of his smooth skin against her fingertips.
His mouth moved lower, towards her stomach, his kisses igniting a fire within her. He unfastened her capris, gently tugging them down, until she lay before him in only her white panties printed with little blue flowers.
Amber held her breath. Would he like what he saw?
“My sweet Amber,” he murmured, kissing her hungrily.
He moved off the bed, the rasp of his zip echoing in the bedroom. She watched him yank off his jeans and boots, then his briefs, the sight of him nude taking her breath away. His wide broad shoulders, the hard, muscled planes of his chest, firm stomach, and rock hard length made excitement and longing quiver through her.
He knelt on the bed, the sheets rustling. Murmuring endearments in his dark, velvety voice, he trailed kisses over her body, slowly making his way up to her neck. She shifted beneath him, her hands fluttering over his back, drifting lower to his firm butt, conscious of his thick shaft pressing against her.
Discarding her panties, he looked at all of her, naked beneath him. Her heart melted when she saw the look of desire on his face.
“Beautiful.” He palmed her neatly trimmed mound, sending scorching heat to every nerve ending.
Mikhail’s lips caressed her neck, then her mouth. He drew away and she tried to press him back down to her, not wanting to let him go.
He smiled, his finger tracing a path along her cheek. “I have been hopeful - very hopeful - since I kissed you for the first time. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.”
“I want you too, Mikhail,” she whispered. Yearning strummed through her.