But the moment of panicked vanity lasted less than a second when he murmured, ‘Lower...’ and the lights dipped to a shadowy glow.
He put her down, still holding her waist. Her legs wobbled, unsteady, unsure. But then his mouth returned to hers—firm, commanding, uncompromising—telling her in no uncertain terms how much he wanted this. How much he wanted her.
He took control, his hands exploring her curves, and exploiting the dazzle of sensation across her chilled skin. She followed his lead, threading her fingers into his wet hair, loving the feel of his hard body against hers.
Thank goodness someone knew what he was doing.
He broke away and his questing fingers paused. He stared at her, his face shadowed by the soft light but fierce with need, and she felt a residual flicker of panic. Had he already figured out what a fraud she was?
‘How the hell do I get you out of this thing?’ he asked.
The frustration in his voice had a laugh popping out alongside her relief. ‘Here,’ she said, and lifted her arm to locate the tab.
But before she could lower the zip he took charge again. ‘No, let me. I’ve been dreaming of peeling you out of this all night.’
She nodded and let go, exhilarated by the sharp concentration on his face as he eased the zip down. He skimmed his fingertips over her shoulders to push the dress’s straps off. The flash of hunger and desire that darkened his expression only vindicated her more.
No hesitations, Cassie. No regrets.
The gold lamé, heavy with water, dropped down and snagged at her waist, leaving her breasts bare.
‘No bra...’
He groaned, the sound deep and feral. She crossed her arms over her nakedness instinctively.
‘Don’t...’ he murmured, the word half-command, half-plea.
Taking her wrists gently in his, he lifted her arms free, his gaze branding her. Her nipples—already pebbled from the cold—squeezed into painful peaks. He swore, and circled his thumb over one, then the other. ‘Belle...’
She shuddered, her emotion as powerful as her desire when his gaze locked on hers. Naked need echoed deep in her sex.
‘You cold, cher?’ he asked, the gruff question making it sound as if he were having trouble speaking English.
She shook her head, speech deserting her completely.
If this is just a one-night stand, why does it feel so intense?
Cradling her heavy breasts, so sensitive now that she couldn’t stop shivering, he sent her a lazy smile, but fierce passion filled his eyes.
‘Let’s warm you up anyhow,’ he said.
Then he bent his head and captured one engorged peak between firm lips.
She sobbed, her fingers sinking into his hair to drag him closer, and to keep her knees from buckling as he drew the nipple deep into his mouth. Heat cascaded through her, flooding into her core, the sensation becoming overwhelming as he feasted on the swollen flesh.
He suckled strongly, one breast then the other, until she was weak and aching with need, every point on her body desperate for something more.
At last he released her from the torture and shoved the sodden dress the rest of the way to the floor.
Kneeling, he bent his dark head to touch her belly. Then he eased off first one sandal, then the other. He skimmed his thumb over the raw spot where the leather had rubbed her heel.
‘Ouch,’ he said.
But she couldn’t feel the pain any more...had stopped noticing it hours ago.
Then he hooked his fingers into her lace panties and eased the damp scrap of material down her legs.
Holding on to his shoulder, she stepped out of her underwear, naked now, while he was still fully clothed.