Rush (Breathless #1)(23)

Gabe finished before her and sat back, looking unfazed as he sipped at his wine. His gaze never left her, and he watched her every movement. He looked cool and aloof. Until she looked into his eyes. There, it was a completely different story. His eyes burned with impatience and simmered with heat.

Leaving only a small portion, she pushed her plate back and carefully leaned back in her own chair. Though she didn’t speak, the what now? floated almost tangibly between them. Gabe surveyed her lazily and then said, “Go to the middle of the living room and stand, Mia.”

Swallowing and then sucking in a deep breath, she rose as gracefully as she was able, determined that she would be poised. And confident. This man wanted her. Her. Not some other woman. It was time to act like she belonged here.

She walked across the hardwood floors, her heels clicking in the silence. When she got to the middle of the room, she slowly turned, only to see Gabe walk over to the armchair that was situated catty-corner to the leather couch.

He sank into the chair and angled one leg over the other in a casual pose that signaled how relaxed he was. She wished she could say the same for herself. She felt like she was on an auction block, standing before him as he devoured her with his stare.

“Undress for me,” he said, his voice vibrating over her skin.

She stared back at him, eyes wide as she processed the command.

He lifted an eyebrow. “Mia?”

She started to slip out of her shoes, but he halted her.

“Leave the shoes on. Just the shoes.”

She lifted her hands to the three buttons in front and slowly unfastened them. Then she pulled the shoulders down and let the dress slide down her body, leaving her in only her bra and panties.

Gabe’s pupils flared. Raw hunger ignited and his features became primal. An uncontrolled shiver worked up her spine. Her ni**les hardened, pressing against the silky material of her bra. The man was lethal and he hadn’t so much as touched her yet. But his gaze. It was like being brushed with fire when he raked his stare down her body and back up.

“Bra or panties first?” she asked huskily.

He smiled. “Why, Mia, I do believe you’re quite the tease. Panties first.”

She hooked her thumbs into the lacy, thin waistband and slowly pulled downward. It was instinctual to try to cover herself, to preserve what little modesty she had, but she forced herself to let the tiny scrap of material drop to the floor. She stepped free and slid the panties away with the toe of her shoe.

Then she raised her hands again, pushing back her hair and then arranging it over one shoulder so she could reach the clasp of her bra. She unhooked it and the cups loosened, baring the underswell of her br**sts.

“Move your hair back now,” Gabe murmured.

One hand holding her bra over her br**sts, she pushed her hair back with the other hand. Then she carefully lowered the bra, allowing the straps to slide down her arms. She pulled it from her body and then let it fall to the floor with her other clothing.

“Beautiful,” Gabe said, his voice a low growl of appreciation.

She stood, vulnerable, as she awaited his next command. It was clear he was in no hurry whatsoever and he intended to savor seeing her unclothed for the first time.

Her arms crept around her middle and then up toward her br**sts.

“No, don’t hide from me,” Gabe said softly. “Come here, Mia.”

She took a trembling step forward. And then another. Until she stood before him, merely inches away.

He took down his leg and widened his knees, leaving a gap. There was a discernible bulge between his legs, straining at the denim fly. He held out his hand, beckoning her.

She stepped between his thighs and took his hand. He pulled her forward and then motioned for her to crawl onto his lap.

Her knees dug into his sides, her legs wedged between him and the arms of the chair. She settled her behind on the backs of her heels and waited. Breathless. Her muscles coiled and taut as she anticipated what he’d do next.

Sliding his hand around to her nape, he gripped her and pulled her to him, crushing her lips against his. His breath whispered over her face, hot and rapid. His fingers slid higher, into her hair, wrapping the strands around so his grasp on her was even tighter.

And then, just as quickly, he pulled her away, his hand still wound tightly in her hair. His breaths were sporadic and his chest heaved. His eyes burned brightly with lust, enough to make her shiver with the raw heat emanating from him.

“I wonder if you have any idea just how much I want you,” he murmured.

“I want you too,” she whispered.

“You’ll have me, Mia. In every conceivable manner.”

The promise slid over her like silk, warm and inviting. Husky and so sinfully sexy.

He loosened his hold on her hair and then placed his palms on her belly, sliding them upward until he cupped her br**sts. Holding them, he lowered his mouth, sucking one nipple between his lips.

She moaned and quivered beneath his touch. She braced her hands on the arms of the chair and tossed her head back as he ran his tongue around the puckered crest.

Alternating between the mounds resting in his hands, he teased and toyed. Sucked and licked, nipping lightly at the taut peaks until they were rigidly erect and straining outward, seeking more of his touch.

He released his hold on one breast and ran the tips of his fingers down her rib cage, and then lower to her belly and between her spread thighs. His touch was delicate as he delved through the curls and to the sensitive flesh of her pu**y. One finger danced over her clit, and her entire body tightened in response.