Hastily she stepped back, only to find her way blocked. An arm like iron barred her way.
Startled, she raised her head. His face was set in grim lines yet the burning heat was back in his eyes.
‘Is this what you want?’ He dipped his head so the words feathered her lips.
Without giving her time to respond, he slanted his mouth across hers. His lips moved, caressed and stroked, and bliss reverberated through Annalisa’s body. She trembled and sank against him.
Her hands slipped up to hang on to his broad shoulders, lest she collapse. She felt as if she was falling.
His tongue slicked her bottom lip and she drew a surprised breath. Before she realised what he intended Tahir was stroking the inside of her mouth.
Startled, she stiffened. Then her muscles went lax as he caressed her tongue, inviting her to meet him kiss for kiss.
Tentatively she responded, and was rewarded with a throaty grumble of approval like the purr of a sleepy lion. His other arm lashed round her, drawing her in as he delved deep, leaning over her as if he couldn’t get close enough. As if needing to dominate and protect.
The idea thrilled and terrified her.
Powerful thighs surrounded her legs as he tucked her close. Her mind whirled in overload at the intimacy of being held like this. Of sharing a sensual kiss that shattered the boundaries of her experience.
A dull throb pulsed in her stomach and she shifted to ease it. The movement brought her in contact with Tahir’s pelvis and a telltale hardness.
A quiver rocked his body and he hauled her nearer.
Annalisa gasped. Not with shock or disgust.
With delight.
It was all she could do not to slide forward against that exciting bulge.
What sort of wanton had she become?
She was panting, her chest heaving, when he broke the kiss and straightened. His eyes were narrowed slits she couldn’t read. But she had no trouble reading the rapid tattoo of the pulse in his neck. It mirrored hers.
Did he feel like this? All warm and jittery and lax? Trembling and dazed and hungry for more?
If anything he looked more in control than ever. His face was as still as a wooden mask. His body rigid but for the rapid rise and fall of his chest.
‘Tahir?’ She slid a hand from his shoulder up the side of his neck, cupping hot skin. Pleasure skittered through her at that simple contact.
His eyes flickered shut and he bit back a sound that could have been a groan. Instantly she was alert.
‘Did I hurt you? Are you in pain?’ What had she done? Her hands skimmed the back of his skull, his temple, then down over his wide shoulders. ‘Where does it hurt?’
Suddenly she found both hands clasped together in his. Still he didn’t open his eyes.
His head was thrown back and she watched the long burnished column of his throat as he swallowed hard.
‘Tahir!’ Panic edged her voice. ‘What’s wrong?’
His lips quirked up in the half-smile that always melted her insides. A long crease furrowed his cheek. She wanted to press her lips against it and taste his skin.
‘Nothing’s wrong, little one.’ He looked at her now and his expression held her immobile. Her breath jammed in her throat. ‘You didn’t answer. Is that what you wanted?’
Jerkily she nodded, eyes fixed on his.
‘Say it, Annalisa.’ His voice was harsh, but somehow she knew it wasn’t anger or disgust that roughened his words. It was the same ribbon of excitement that threaded her body, drawing each muscle and sinew tight.
‘I want you to kiss me,’ she whispered, spellbound by what she saw in his eyes.
‘Is that all?’ He leaned forward and she felt his words, small puffs of breath on her ear. She shuddered and his hands firmed around hers. Surprised, she realised they were unsteady. ‘What else do you want?’
‘I…’ How could he ask questions? She didn’t want to think and talk. Just wanted to feel.
‘Is it this?’
Long fingers brushed the bare skin of her neck, trailing down to the V of her shirt.
Her breath snagged as she willed him to continue. Was that a flicker in his darkening gaze?
Finally his hand slid down, skimming the fabric of her shirt till his palm warmed her breast. She almost cried with frustration as he stood, watching her, almost, almost touching her as she wanted, needed to be touched.
It rose in her like a tide—a yearning she didn’t fully understand, a craving for more, much more.
Annalisa pushed forward into his waiting palm.
His hand closed convulsively around her. It was bliss. It was more than she’d thought possible. Her breath sighed out as he rubbed his thumb over her burgeoning nipple.
Instantly heat jolted through her, right down to her belly. Lower. Where it felt as if she melted.
‘Please, Tahir.’