Cesare’s eyes shut for a second as he absorbed every detail of delicious sensation.
When he opened them she’d pulled back just enough to look down at him, though their bodies were still plastered together. Desire throbbed through him, and he saw her eyes widen at the twitch of his erection.
That soft green gaze was bewitching. It took a second for him to realise her fixed stare didn’t match the message of her eager body.
‘What is it?’
‘Nothing.’ Her pupils dilated as if in surprise. Then she frowned. ‘But you need to know I’m not...experienced. I’d rather we went slow.’
Slow? After she’d rocked his world? Her mouth on his flesh, her hands in his hair, her kiss...
And what did she mean by not experienced? He discounted the idea she was a virgin. She’d sashayed up to him with all the confidence of a woman who knew exactly what she wanted.
Maybe she feared he wouldn’t take enough time to please her as well as himself. Cesare was about to tell her she didn’t need to pretend to innocence. He had every intention of ensuring they both enjoyed this to the full. But he had better things to do than talk.
‘I can do slow.’ His voice dropped. ‘All the better to savour you.’
He watched, fascinated, as colour darkened her cheekbones. And just like that, despite the urgency humming in his blood,slowwas exactly what he wanted.
CHAPTER NINE
CESARE’SEYESLOOKEDalmost black, and Ida had no difficulty reading their expression. Anticipation. And something knowing and heated that might have worried her yet instead made her shift against him.
Maybe he hadn’t understood. Maybe he didn’t realise not experienced meantnoexperience.
But she liked Cesare’s heavy-lidded look too much to explain. The last thing she wanted was him changing his mind. If he was happy to go slow, what more could she ask?
Everything about Cesare, from his response to her touch, to his kisses, to the way he’d held her and how his big, bold body felt beneath her right now, confirmed this was exactly what she wanted.
What she needed.
‘Aren’t you going to kiss me?’
His voice rumbled up from that broad chest beneath her, fascinating her and making her even keener to explore him. She wanted to stroke his firm flesh all over, learn the contours of his body, taste him.
Of course she kissed him again. His kisses were addictive. If she’d known before that a kiss could feel like this...
Ida wondered what he’d say if she revealed she’d never kissed any man but him. But then she was leaning down, lips against his, her tongue reaching out to meet his as he’d taught her, and her mind blanked.
It was the most luscious, decadent thing, lying over Cesare, pressed against his arousal, knowing it was for her.
Her eyes fluttered shut as she gave herself up to a new world of bliss.
Some time later she frowned, belatedly registering something had changed. Even then it took a while to understand her back was on the bed and Cesare was pressed down on her. She gasped against his mouth, wondering at how good that felt.
‘Too heavy?’ He propped himself up on one elbow, dark hair falling across his brow.
‘No.’
But it was too late, he was rolling off her onto his hip. His index finger followed the ribbon running beneath her breasts. His gaze held hers as he traced it up to her shoulder.
‘Pretty. So pretty I don’t want to tear it. Where’s the zip, Ida?’
Something caught in her chest at the idea of Cesare tearing the dress in his urgency. Her pulse thudded once, hard, then she reached for her side.
His hand covered hers. ‘Let me.’
Ida lay back and watched him lean over, his hand skimming downwards. The zip sounded incredibly loud then warm fingers touched her hip, her waist, trawling higher.