A small sad smile brought up one corner of her mouth. “I haven’t taken my shirt off in front of someone in a long time.”
Pride expanded his chest at being granted such a privilege. He understood the magnitude of what she was telling him. She’d trusted no other man since her trust had been destroyed. She trusted him. And goddamn it he wasn’t going to let her down.
Chapter Eight
Ella gazed down at the man between her legs. For years, she’d been self-conscious over that scar, had stared at it in disgust and believed a man would do the same. It’d taken a serious amount of courage to whip her shirt off for Lance.
He wanted her so badly he hadn’t even noticed it. It was an empowering feeling. It made her feel desirable.
His gaze raked hungrily over her, and her insides ignited in the special way only he kindled. Tonight, this man would give her back her passion. Of that, she had no doubt.
Already, her body hummed with a lust so fierce it was a little frightening. She wouldn’t fight the feeling. She wanted everything he had to give her, with no hesitation, no doubt.
He caressed her cheek, then ran his palm over her neck and the upper part of her chest, barely grazing the swell of her breasts. In anticipation, her nipples puckered, straining against the purple lace, but he ignored them and continued down her sides, over her hips, down her thighs, knees, and calves. He caressed every inch of the front of her body, except for the tight peaks and her aching center. Both wanted attention, both needed to be touched. As his palms traveled back up, she squirmed against the intense desire he built within her.
A wolfish grin curved his mouth.
He cupped her hips in both hands, sliding his palms up her waist to the underside of her breasts then stopped. With the pad of each thumb, he grazed her tight nipples, and Ella gasped at the euphoric feelings that erupted inside her. As he continued to rub the hardened peaks, he began kneading the undersides of her breasts. Closing her eyes, she simply basked in the shocks of pleasure sparking throughout her.
When he lightly pinched each tip, she arched up, needing more.
“Fuck, woman.”
A quick flick of the front closure of her bra and her breasts were freed. The cool air greeted the sensitive skin as he dipped his head down then slowly circled a tip with his tongue. A moan ripped out of her. Her enthusiasm at such a small thing embarrassed her, and she caught her bottom lip between her teeth.
As he sucked her nipple deep into his mouth, she couldn’t hold back another groan and arched closer. To hell with trying to stay quiet. It wasn’t possible—not with him.
His fingers worked on the button of her jeans until it released. Lance lifted his head, watching his hand run down her stomach. She couldn’t detect one iota of disgust as he skimmed over her scar. All she saw was the heated passion of a man who wanted to devour her.
He lifted his gaze to hers. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”
Emotion clogged her throat. His words, his actions, his gaze all made her feel fucking beautiful. This moment was beautiful. She wasn’t looking over her shoulder. She wasn’t tense, on guard, or watching her every word. She was experiencing. Living. And she loved it.
He rose to his feet and flipped her gently onto the couch so her back was against the cushions. His weight settled on top of her as his mouth devoured hers. She enjoyed the feel of his body pressing into her. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she tugged him closer and returned his kiss.
When he broke the kiss and then shifted his weight from on top of her to her beside her, she murmured her protest, missing his warmth.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he whispered against her neck as his lips grazed the skin. He teased the top of her panties with his fingers. “Right here is exactly where I want to be.”
He slipped his palm underneath the elastic band and cupped her. Gasping, she arched up.
“So hot,” he said as he nipped her skin and slipped one finger slowly inside. “So fucking wet.”
From the way she throbbed for him, that wasn’t surprising. Every cell in her being was ready for him. Keeping an even pace with his fingers, he gently placed soft kisses along her collarbone, then trailed his mouth between her breasts, over her stomach until he was back on his knees beside her and withdrew his hand. Ella whimpered, and the knowing smile he gave her almost incinerated her.
Within seconds, her jeans and panties joined her bra on the floor. He didn’t need to coax her. She knew what she wanted. Had no problem with encouraging it. She opened her legs for him.
A low guttural moan filled the room as he stared down at her. Exhilarating heat rushed over her skin. She went with the feeling, spreading her thighs wider, all but begging for what she wanted. She didn’t care if she came across as too eager. She’d spent so many years dead sexually. Nothing was dead now. Every inch of her body was alive and thriving because of this man.