“That was mean,” Lux said just above a whisper.
He knew her feelings were hurt, but he couldn’t muster up the words to retract them. He needed to get some rest, but before he could, he had to settle her in and then pay a visit to some acquaintances.
“Come with me, I’ll show you to your room.” Josh threw over his shoulder as he walked away.
“My room?”
“You sound surprised, do you want to share a room with me, Luxandria?” He asked turning back to face her.
“No!”
“Really, because you sound disappointed,” he said, strolling toward her. Josh wanted to laugh when she began to back away. With slow deliberation, he moved closer; almost as though he were on the prowl. With each step, his gaze raked her body from head to toe.
All notions of amusement left his thoughts when his eyes landed on her chest. She still wore the summer dress from the beach; having long discarded the coat he’d provided.
“Are you cold, Luxandria?”
“Don’t question me!” She flung back.
He was baiting her and she knew it, just as he knew her body could never lie to him. Folding her arms over her breasts, Lux glared at him.
“It’s way too late for angst Lux, your body’s reaction to me says all I need to know. Okay, you win. You can share my room. Is that what you wanted?”
“No, it is not. I want, no… I demand my own room!”
“There you see, if you’d ask nicely, I would give you whatever you want. But because you couldn’t help your mouth–”
“Boy, from what I remember, you used to love this mouth all over you!”
“Hell yeah, you know I love it when you talk dirty to me. Tell me what I used to love...” As he paused, Josh’s whole demeanor changed to one of intense seriousness. “…I dare you.”
When she remained quiet, he bent and spoke into her ear. “I thought so, you talk a good talk, but when it comes to actions, that’s something entirely different. I thought you said you were all grown up.”
“I know what you’re trying to do.”
“What would that be, Luxandria?” Josh all but purred enjoying himself.
“Goad me into doing or saying something so you can back me into a corner.”
Josh laughed, the sound a deep rumble in his chest. “Not so much a corner but I think this bureau will do just fine.”
One blink later and it was too late. Large, strong hands had already hoisted her up and he was standing between her legs. Their current position hadn’t been his intention. He just couldn’t ignore the puckered points of her nipples that seemed to be begging for his attention.
Never one to deny a woman what she wanted, Josh acted on her body’s demand rather than her halfhearted attempts to pull away.
With deliberation, he stopped before his mouth made contact with her breast. Looking up, he peered at her through his thick black lashes and waited. He’d never forced a woman in his life, and he wasn’t about to start now.
Taking his head between her hands, he allowed her to move his mouth to where she most wanted his touch. At the last moment he stopped. Knowing Lux, his hesitation could blow up in his face, but he was willing to take the chance.
“I want to see you. Undo your top for me, Luxandria. You want my touch and I want to see you.”
Josh felt her jerk at his words and held his breath to see if she would comply with his request. He tracked her every move as with slow deliberation she reached up and untied the halter straps behind her neck.
When she shrugged her shoulders, he sucked in a breath. Perfect, she was perfect. The globes of her breasts, although not large, were round and full and Josh remembered how they felt as he held, rubbed and sucked them.
Lowering her hands, Lux cupped her breasts and held them up to him in a blatant invitation. Then she eased back and he knew she too remembered how much he loved to kiss and run his tongue against them.
“If you want them, come and get them,” Lux dared him.
It was a game. It was their game and he’d missed it. The sight and aroma of her pulled him.
He struck without warning, his mouth all at once surrounding one of the nipples that begged for his attention. Drawing the surrounding flesh deep into his mouth, his tongue reacquainted itself with her taste and texture.
As he sucked and rolled his tongue around her flesh, Josh didn’t break eye contact. He wanted to see her reaction, gage how his touch affected her. He wanted the assurance that he could turn her on to the point of abandonment.