Sweet Reckoning(45)

“You smell so damn good.”

He grasped my hand and led me back through the bathroom to the main room. Blood rushed through my body. I stared at his strong back and shoulders. My husband. The boy who’d stood at the summit, ready to die for me when my life was threatened.

He let go of my hand and went to his bag.

“I asked Marna to pick up a few things for us—some clothes for tomorrow, food and whatnot. She said she downloaded mood music as a gift. I’m a bit frightened.” He pulled out a music dock and set it up, clicking an MP3 player into place and pushing Play. A popular romantic song came on.

Kaidan made a face. “Country music?”

“I love this song!” I laughed when he groaned.

“Maybe we should listen to my playlist instead.” He reached into his pocket, but I shook my head, not in the mood for heavy metal.

“Come on, Kai . . . my freckles are getting impatient.”

He straightened, standing tall, and his eyes crashed into mine as his badge spun and pulsed. My heart banged at my own bravery, then stumbled inside my ribs as he came closer, bringing with him a cloud of incredible earthy, citrusy pheromones.

“Well then. Let’s not keep them waiting.”

I expected the tearing-off of clothes to begin, but instead he kissed me like we had all the time in the world, his mouth and tongue warming me, then heating me. He moved me backward as we kissed, until my bottom hit the edge of the bed. A tickle began at my hips—the feel of his fingers gathering the silk of my dress upward, slowly.

I was breathing hard when he finally pulled it over my head. I kicked off my shoes, sending them flying. He let me lift his shirt off him, but stopped me when I went for his shorts.

“Not yet.” Again with the wicked grin.

He reached behind me for the clasp of my strapless bra, and as it fell a rush of self-consciousness made me cover my chest. He narrowed his eyes, and I felt like I needed to explain, even though he’d seen me naked already.

“They’re . . .” I couldn’t even say it. No doubt Kaidan had seen all kinds of rockin’ bodies in his time. Mine would not be one of them—at least not in this department.

He put his hands over mine and looked at me very seriously.

“I assure you, they’re perfect.”

He gently pulled my hands away. My chest heaved with nervous breaths as his eyes trailed down, took in the sight of my nearly naked body, and then closed. When they opened they were as stormy as ever.

“Like I said. Just right. On the bed with you now.”

Nerves. So many nerves.

I climbed onto the bed and the sweet torture began as he lay on his side next to me and continued taking his time kissing me. I tried to squirm closer, but he laid his hand firmly on my hip to keep me in place. When his mouth moved down to my shoulder, I let out a moan and saw him smile. He kissed a tiny freckle there I’d never paid attention to in my life. Then, slowly, he made his way across my collarbone and down my chest from one side to the other. My fingers were buried in his hair.

Kaidan made good on his promise. My freckles were very happy, spoiled rotten even, but the rest of me was desperate and jealous. And he’d barely gotten started. When he got to my lower stomach, I was breathing way too hard.

He bypassed my lacy white panties, keeping them on, and I was certain now he was trying to send me into a state of insanity. His mouth landed on my inner thigh. My hips bucked and I made a really embarrassing sound of yearning.

He chuckled and pushed my hips firmly down. Again. Not funny. Then continued working his way down my leg.

I whispered, “Please,” needing so much more.

“Not yet,” he said, all maddening slowness.

I whimpered when he rolled me to my stomach and brushed my hair aside. My back felt ultrasensitive to the caress of his warm mouth. I clutched the downy covers and tried to control myself. How was he not going crazy? I knew he must be because I could smell his pheromone cloud of zesty, sweet oranges and limes around us, but his self-control was incredible.

My lower back was particularly sensitive and I gasped as he kissed me there. When he got down to my panties I felt his teeth gently bite through the lace, and he emitted a low growl. His fingers tightened on my hips and I smiled into the downiness.

“Take them off,” I said.

He didn’t hesitate, pulling down the lacy cloth.

I dared a peek over my shoulder and saw him staring at my naked body.

“My God,” he breathed.