He paused and, dazed, she watched his chest rise high on a deep breath. ‘The question is whether you feel anything for me. Whether, given time, you might come to care for me too. I know this is sudden and you’re still adjusting to having your memory back. I know you’ve been through a lot and I have no right to push—’
Ally tumbled forward, hands to his chest, face upturned and body flush against his so that all his heat began seeping into her, melting the frost that had turned her bones brittle.
On tiptoe she lifted her face, curled one hand around the back of his neck and pulled his mouth down on hers.
She saw wide, stunned eyes, felt his jolt of surprise. Then there was nothing but the taste of Angelo, luscious on her tongue, the lemony cedar masculine scent of him in her nostrils, his tall frame against her, powerful thighs shifting wider as he drew her in hard and yet harder, until it felt as if they were one. Almost.
Ravenously she kissed him, one hand anchored in the luxuriant hair at the back of his skull, the other slipping beneath his jacket to splay across his shirt and the warm contours of his chest. She swiped his pectoral muscle and felt him shudder as her thumbnail brushed his nipple.
‘Ally.’
Even muffled the sound of him saying her name made her heart fly. She smiled against his mouth. Her world had turned on its head in mere moments.
Firm hands planted on her hips, holding her, as Angelo stepped back, breaking their kiss.
‘Don’t go!’ She was beyond caring that she sounded needy. She was beyond anything but the craving for this remarkable, unexpected man.
‘I’m not going anywhere.’ His glittering eyes had a hungry glaze that made her insides squirm with delight. ‘But I don’t want to rush you.’
‘Rush me?’ He had to be kidding. She’d done nothing but yearn for him from the day she’d left. ‘I’m crazy for you, Angelo. I’ve been so lost without you. Not because I wasn’t capable of managing on my own, but because I left part of myself with you and never thought I’d get it back.’
That possessive look in his eyes softened into something that made everything inside her go still.
‘Amore mio.’
There it was again, that deliciousdulce de lechevoice that flowed like hot caramel through her veins and melted her bones.
‘Please, Angelo. Show me.’
Those powerful hands didn’t hold her back now as she moved in close, nor when she nudged him against the bed.
Instead his mouth curved knowingly as he wrapped his arms around her and fell back onto the mattress. He rolled and a moment later she was pressed into the bed with him sprawled above her.
There was nowhere else on earth she’d rather be. ‘I feel like all my Christmases have come at once.’
Angelo’s smile was tender though his body was rigid with arousal. ‘I know the feeling. I can’t believe I’m so lucky. We’ve known each other such a short time and it was mired in misunderstanding. I thought I’d have to fight even to have you hear me out.’
‘I’m listening.’ Her fingers reached for his top button, delight and excitement fizzing like champagne bubbles in her blood. ‘But you’re wearing too much.’
‘There’s a remedy for that,’ Angelo murmured as he shrugged out of his jacket and ripped his shirt open.
Ally sighed and palmed her hands across his hard chest, enjoying the contrast of silky skin and crisp chest hair.
‘Shall I tell you now all the reasons we should stay together?’
His sultry voice was hot temptation whispering in her ear, making her shiver.
‘Soon.’
The sight and feel of him distracted her. Her hands dipped to his belt and Angelo’s breath caught on a hiss.
Minutes later, after a flurry of movement, they were naked, breathing hard and fast, looking into each other’s eyes as their bodies settled against each other.
Her restless hands swept his flanks and up over his broad back. Would she ever get used to the sheer magnificence of this man? ‘You feel so good.’
Angelo lowered his head, rubbing his nose against hers, then peppering her eyelids, ears and jaw with tiny kisses. ‘That’s my line, beautiful Alison.’
She sighed, the breath stalling in her lungs when he swept one hand to the apex of her thighs and into the slippery heat there. Instantly she lifted her hips, pressing into his touch.