She slid one of her hands from his cheek and lifted one of his from her waist, settling it over her heart.“I’ve never felt like this before, and that was why I wanted you to be…to be the one.”
“And how is it that you feel?”he asked.There was curiosity in his eyes, but something else.Something that craved her next words, probably more than he knew.
She wet her lips.How did he make her feel?“Safe,” she whispered.
She saw the flicker of pain before he could stop it.“Oh Kitty, I am anything but safe.”
“Maybe not,” she agreed.“But I feel safe when I’m with you.”
“You’re grateful because—”
“No, I don’t mean that,” she said.“Not just that, at least.She wrapped her arms around his neck.“I never had a home.Not really.My father was never there, and my mother died when I was young, and even when she was alive…”
She shook her head.“I didn’t know what it felt like to feel…”Loved.
No, she couldn’t say that.He’d only tell her she was wrong.
“To feel like I’m home.”She swallowed hard, nearly losing her nerve as a dark heat filled his eyes and made her heart flutter wildly.“I’ve never trusted anyone before.But even when I was merely your maid, I trusted you would not harm me, and I…I want you to know that I love that.I love…I love the way you make me feel.”
He looked like he was going to interrupt so she hurried on, “I know I still have to go, but I didn’t want to leave you without you knowing how I felt.”
He stared at her in silence before his brows drew down in a scowl.“How youfelt?”he snapped, his hand pressing into her breast like he could hold her heart in his hand.
In a way, he already did.
She wet her lips and said what he needed to hear.“How Ifeel.”
He growled low in his throat but this time the kiss he claimed was achingly gentle.Painfully sweet.“I’m going to touch you, Kitty.I’m going to touch every inch of you and make you feel pleasure the likes of which you’ve never known.”He pulled back.“All right?”
Tears stung her eyes but she managed, “Yes.All right.”
And then he was gently pushing her down onto the bed, resting his weight on his elbows as he teased her with kisses.
It was all he could offer in return, and that was all right, she told herself.For tonight it would be enough.
His lips were on her neck now, and she couldn’t have imagined a man of his size and power could be so gentle.It made her want to cry all over again, and the way his hands smoothed over her belly and worshiped her breasts, it made her ache in more ways than one.
The place between her thighs was wet with wanting, but her heart throbbed with a different ache.One she couldn’t think about now.It was the ache of a woman who wanted more but would never have it.
It was the hole where a family might be, a child of her own, a future with the man she adored…
He tasted her tears when he moved up to kiss her lips.He pulled back with a growl.“Why are you crying?”
She gave him a tremulous smile.“It’s nothing, just…”
He frowned.He didn’t believe her.
She sighed and thrust her hands into his hair, enjoying this liberty to touch him however she pleased while she had it.“Make me forget,” she whispered.
She didn’t explain what she meant, but by the flicker of pain in his eyes, she suspected he knew.
Make me forget that we only have tonight.
Make me forget that you don’t love me like I love you.
There was regret in his eyes, but it hardened into determination as he leaned down and gave her a soft, lingering kiss, like he was savoring the taste of her.“I can do that.”
Next thing she knew he was shifting away from her, leaving her now bare breasts cold and a panic rising in her.“Don’t go,” she cried.
He stopped moving back when he reached her thighs.His grin was sudden and wicked.“I’m not going anywhere, love.Now be a good girl and spread your thighs.”