Part 273 (1/2)

her pulse scrambled. Her choice, she thought again, and one she'd taken

much too long to make. Then her mind filled up with him so completely

there was room for nothing else.

He felt the change, the slow, hesitant response as her lips parted

beneath his, as her body seemed to melt against him. He was trembling

himself as he skimmed kisses over her face. Then her arms came around

him and she found his lips with her own.

He lifted her up. It seemed the only way to love her this first time.

He continued to kiss her, light and promising, deep and drugging, as he

carried her into the bedroom.

The shades were drawn so that the sun beat against them in yellow waves.

He wished it could have been candlelight.

Emma tried not to stiffen when he laid her on the bed. She knew it

would go quickly now. She wanted him to go on kissing her, holding her.

But she knew better. She thought she knew better.

He was beside her. He didn't roll on top of her and tug at her clothes.

His mouth sought hers again, to seduce as much as to rea.s.sure. Though

her body was taut as wire, she seemed so fragile. Her skin, her mouth,

the scent that he could wallow in when he buried his face in her hair.

Her fingers brushed hesitantly over his bare chest, nearly driving him

mad.

With a little moan of pleasure, he began to tease her tongue with his.

Her taste ran through him like a warm river. He moved slowly, confusing

her. Seducing her. She waited for him to take, but he continued to

give.

His hands ran over her, making her shudder. But there was no fear in