Awaken the Senses Page 13

  “It is forgotten.” There was no recrimination in his tone, nothing but tenderness.

  Taking a deep breath, she asked, “Would you like to spend the day with me?”

  His expression softened in a way that she knew was for her alone. “Of course. What would you like to do? We can go for a drive if you wish.”

  She shook her head. “I have another idea.” A scandalous idea, especially since it was bright light outside.

  His face was suddenly all male, as if she’d somehow given herself away. “Tell me this idea.” Strong arms slipped around her waist, showing her that he was once more certain of his right to touch her, aware that she’d forgiven him.

  Swallowing, she fingered a button on his white shirt and looked up into his eyes. “I’d like to make your deepest fantasy come true,” she whispered.

  Around her his arms firmed. “My deepest fantasy is to love you until you are drunk on your own pleasure.” One hand flattened on her lower back, big and hot. His eyes were so intent, she felt devoured.

  “I know.”

  He shuddered and leaned down to brush his lips across hers. “How can you be so generous after I put tears in your eyes?” His tone was raw.

  She heard the sincere regret in his voice. “Because you’ve also brought a thousand smiles to my heart.”

  He hugged her to him. “Ma petite, you destroy me with your honesty, with your capacity to forgive so much hurt. I promise to never again betray your trust in me.”

  Shaking her head, she cupped his face in her hands and said, “I understand the temptation you faced—I could no more have stopped reading your letter than I could’ve stopped breathing.”

  “Oui?”

  She fought her blush. “I read every single word. And then I read them over. So, we’re even.”

  The bright joy in his eyes rocked her. “Then, kitten, are you ready to play?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you know what I wish to do to you the most?”

  “What?”

  “I wish to love you as you wrote in your journal—a loving that demands submission and absolute trust.”

  She knew which fantasy he was referring to. “I trust you.” Otherwise, she would’ve never gone into his arms. For her, there was no separating the physical from the emotional. She was his, body and soul.

  Charlotte found herself facing Alexandre behind the locked doors of her bedroom. With the curtain pulled, daylight barely filtered through, creating an intimate darkness that caused desire to uncurl luxuriously within her body. It also lent a scandalous edge to this already wicked rendezvous.

  In bare feet, Alexandre padded across the carpet to her. Without her own shoes, she felt even smaller against his compelling masculinity. But not in any way less of a woman. Alexandre liked her size, she thought, smiling inside. Every time he called her ma petite in that seducer’s voice of his, he told her just how much he appreciated the woman she was.

  “Are you sure?” Alexandre touched her cheek with a finger, his eyes lingering on her face.

  Taking hold of his hand, she kissed the tip of that finger. “Oui.”

  At the teasing acquiescence, his face lit from within. That brilliance held something far more potent than lust, but she didn’t want to question just what it was that she’d seen, didn’t want to give herself false hope. Not now, not in this moment of utter truth between them.

  He unclipped the single barrette she’d used to hold her hair back. Dropping it to the floor, he ran the strands through his fingers, letting them fall across her chest. The backs of his hands brushed her breasts as he played with her hair and she sucked in a breath at the sudden sensual heat.

  Moving back, he raised dark eyes to her face. “Take off your clothes for me, Charlotte.”

  It was a gentle command, but a command nonetheless. Just as she’d asked for in her most shocking fantasy. Hands trembling with a combination of desire and nerves, she raised them to the bottom of her white top. It was simply fashioned, with a scoop neck and cap sleeves, but its magic lay in the way it shaped her body, following each curve with smooth perfection.

  Without taking her eyes from his, she began to raise the material, arms crossed across her front. Heat sparked to life in the darkness of Alexandre’s gaze as an inch of flesh was revealed, and suddenly she had all the confidence she needed.

  She pulled the top off in a swift motion. It left her standing before him in a white lace bra and a knee-length skirt that wrapped around her like a sarong. When he continued to simply watch, she moved her hands to the side tie of the skirt and undid it. Her nerves returned and she held the two undone halves closed, unable to move her hands and drop the skirt.

  As if he’d heard her unspoken plea, Alexandre whispered, “You are so lovely…take off your skirt for me. I hunger to see all that glorious golden skin of yours.”

  Swallowing at the molten heat in his gaze, she took the ends of the tie and unwrapped the skirt. Her hair swung in front of her as she dropped her head to watch the cool blue material puddle on the floor, a blatant exclamation mark of surrender.

  When she raised her head, silken strands settled back over her lace-covered breasts. A little self-conscious, she didn’t know what to do with her hands. Aware that her lacy underwear didn’t hide much, she was tempted to cover herself but that would be cheating.

  Walking to her, Alexandre took hold of her hands and gently placed them behind her back, playfully manacling them with one strong hand. With his other, he swept the concealing wings of her hair behind her back, so that her chest was shielded only by delicate white lace.

  He looked at her for so long, her entire body flushed. “Tell me, Charlotte.” He rubbed his thumb across one peaked nipple. She jerked. “Tell me why you’re dressed so seductively.” He lifted his head, that beautiful mahogany hair falling across his forehead.

  No room to hide. Licking her lips, she said, “I wanted to be…luscious for you.” Her voice was hoarse, her throat dry with anticipation.

  One hand closed over her breast, molding and shaping. Something in his careful touch screamed possessiveness. “Merci, ma petite. You are exquisite.” Looking straight into her eyes, he asked, “How far?”

  Her heart was beating in her throat. “As far as you wish,” she said, giving him total control.

  Twelve

  Alexandre kissed her, his hand still on her breast. When she attempted to deepen the kiss, he pulled away. Frustrated, her body continued to press against his.

  He released her. “Get on the bed for me, kitten.”

  Warmth coalescing in her stomach, she did as he asked, sitting on her knees with her back to him. Looking over her shoulder, she asked, “Is this okay?”

  The maleness in his eyes sent shivers up her spine, the tiny hairs on her body standing up in attention. This fantasy was far more potent than she’d imagined, far more emotionally involved. As a woman, she was putting her body and her mind in his hands, to hurt or to pleasure.

  That led to the inescapable conclusion that she would’ve only taken this step if she was certain of his nature, sure that he was a man who’d always choose to pleasure, never to harm.

  “Non. Face me.”

  She turned, still on her knees.

  “Brush your hair away for me.”

  Raising her hands, she moved her hair to her back, feeling the slide of it against her skin. It was suddenly erotic after a lifetime of being unnoticed. “Like this?”

  “Oui. Put your hands flat on your thighs.” The command held a rough edge, as if keeping his distance was torture.

  She was suddenly aware that he’d placed her like a prize in the middle of the bed. “Now what?”

  He smiled at her, slow and pleased. “Now you watch.”

  He undid the first button on his dusty-blue shirt. The heat in her stomach blazed into roiling flame. She’d never imagined that he’d pleasure her like this. So very masculine, control came easily to him, but this teasing show told her that he was comfortable eno
ugh in his skin to give her a little surrender. And that was the one thing she’d doubted about his ability to fulfill her fantasy.

  Three buttons down, all she could focus on was the dark hair that lightly covered that glowing, healthy wedge of skin. Barely breathing, she watched him undo two more buttons before pulling out the tails of his shirt to complete the job. Leaving the shirt on, he undid his belt buckle and slid the belt out of the loops. Slowly.

  Charlotte’s body was leaning toward his. She wanted to touch him so badly, her hands began to drift up from her thighs. Alexandre dropped the belt to the floor and said, “Non, ma chérie. Place your hands as I asked.”

  Without a second thought, she obeyed, a thrill racing through her as she remembered her own words. She’d asked for commands laced with rough tenderness and Alexandre was delivering. His eyes held the open adoration that she’d dreamed of—confident and proud, he didn’t mind letting her see the effect she had on him.

  When she put her hands back on her thighs, he said, “Very good, Charlotte.” It was a husky whisper. “I should reward such perfect obedience.”

  A spark of rebellion appeared in her. “I think you’re enjoying this too much.”

  He shrugged off his shirt, revealing an upper body as beautiful as any Greek god’s. However, his grin could’ve done justice to the most wicked of devils. “Oui, of course. I have a beautiful woman half-naked and willing to do anything I ask. I would be an idiot not to take advantage.”

  His sheer delight in the situation had all her simmering outrage disappearing. Wonder took its place—her serious, sophisticated lover was playing with her. This was a game, a sensual, erotic game that could only be played between two lovers who were completely attuned to each other’s needs.

  He prowled over to her, so gracefully dangerous that her breath caught. When he reached the bed, he placed his hands on her shoulders and leaning over, pressed his lips against hers. Starving for a taste of him, she opened immediately, inviting him with the strokes of her tongue that she knew he liked. Moaning when he returned the caress, she had to clench her hands on her thighs to keep from thrusting them in his hair.

  When he drew back from her, she wanted to whimper in disappointment. His eyes were dark ebony, glittering night. “The taste of you is like some forbidden drug.”

  In my fantasies, you are strong enough…to openly adore my body without seeing it as a weakness.

  Charlotte wondered how fate could’ve sent her a lover so perfect. She knew him well enough to understand that this was no pretence, not merely an attempt to deliver her fantasy. To him, she was beautiful—a potent drug. What woman could resist such a lover?

  Alexandre’s attention suddenly shifted to something over her shoulder. Unable to turn, she waited, nerves taut, as he walked around the double bed. After what seemed like an endless moment, the mattress depressed behind her.

  His first touch made her shiver. Chuckling, he swept her hair over one shoulder, leaving her back bare to him. His lips brushed her nape.

  “Alexandre,” she couldn’t help moaning.

  Then he was gone and she felt the stroke of something unutterably soft against her skin, tantalizing and luxurious. After one melting stroke, warm breath whispered across the spot. Her entire body jolted into sensory overload. Alexandre repeated the action on her lower back and her whimper was of sheer pleasure.

  One big hand slid around to lay flat against her belly, but before she could concentrate on that feeling, strong male teeth scraped lightly along her lower back, just above the swell of her bottom.

  Alexandre felt Charlotte jerk, her stomach going taut under his hand. When he repeated the caress, a sheen of perspiration broke out over her skin. Her beauty continued to astound him. She was like a cool, clear lake, but one with unexpected depths, soul-deep loveliness hidden beneath the gentle outer layer.

  Breathing in the intoxicating scent of her, he kissed his way up her spine until he knelt behind her once more. This time he put both arms around her waist. When she saw the feather he held in his hand, she laughed. “So that’s what you were torturing me with.”

  “It was very accommodating of you to have a vase full of feathers for my use,” he teased, dropping the feather so he could touch her skin more fully as he kissed the bared curve of her neck.

  Sliding his hands up and down her arms, he gently massaged her, indulging himself with the feel of her skin. She sighed and leaned into his body, her bare back coming into contact with his chest. Both of them reacted to the skin to skin touch, but which one of them gasped, Alexandre couldn’t tell.

  “Will you move your hands to your sides?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  Unable to believe how much she trusted him, delightfully shocked by this strong woman who didn’t always need to be in control with her man, he wanted to give her everything. Slipping his hands between her ribs and her arms, he spread his palms on her thighs where her hands had rested. Fine tremors shook her body as he moved his fingers along the sensitive inner faces.

  Barely brushing the lace protecting her, he moved both hands up her body. Her moan had blood flooding to his already pounding erection. Breath labored, he moved his hands over her torso, warm and so soft, and cupped her lace-covered breasts.

  He could tell she was fighting the urge to touch him. The fact that he tempted her just as much as she tempted him was an aphrodisiac greater than anything else on this earth. She fit perfectly in his hands, the high, taut fruit of her breasts shaped for him alone.

  Closing his hands, he touched skin where the lace of her bra ended. Continuing to lave her neck with kisses, he began to massage her sensitive flesh. Her body arched toward his and the hands she held at her sides curled into fists and finally, clenched on his thighs, which he’d spread to cradle her body back into his.

  He chuckled, riding the wave of desire threatening to swamp him. “You’re cheating.”

  Under his hands, her breasts moved up and down as she gasped for breath. “Maybe you should just tie me up next time.”

  His breath caught. “I’ll use silk scarves,” he promised. “But, this time, I’ll let you get away with it.”

  She laughed, the sound an intimate caress in the semi-light of the room. “You’re making me…melt.”

  He wanted nothing more than to thrust into her melting heat, but this fantasy of theirs wasn’t finished. Not by a long shot. He began to play with her breasts in earnest, feeling the cool slide of her hair against the back of one hand, a double sensory temptation.

  Her body moved against his, sinuously rubbing his erection until his heartbeat was concentrated in that one spot, hot and hard. Feeling sweat break out on his back, he withdrew his hands, dropping them to lie on her hips.

  “Alexandre,” she moaned, turning her head to give him a reproachful look.

  “Take off your bra, kitten.” His voice was so rough, he wondered if she understood him.

  But she did. Turning away, she reached behind her back, her knuckles sliding against his skin. Sucking in a breath, he said, “Behave.”

  He felt her smile in the way her body relaxed into his. Then she pulled away and unhooked the back catch of her bra. Moving her hands to her front, she peeled it off, holding the scrap of satin and lace for a second before throwing it to the floor.

  He couldn’t see her breasts yet, but the glorious honey-colored sweep of her back was open to his gaze. Murmuring his appreciation to her in his native tongue, he stroked that dusky-gold skin with both hands. Some of the words were spoken against her skin as he kissed his way across her shoulders, his hands stroking over her waist.

  Her body relaxed into him. With a slight shift, he ensured that their bodies pressed together, temptation and torture for both of them. Hooking his left arm around her waist after ensuring her silky hair wasn’t caught between, he whispered, “Lean over my arm.”

  Without pause, she obeyed the husky order. He cradled her slight weight easily as she arched, her lovely face looking up into
his. All her hair slid off, baring her to him. As his free hand stroked up her stomach to close over a breast, he lowered his lips to sip from hers. A sip led to a deeper caress as he delved into her mouth.

  Under his stroking hand, her flesh was taut and sheened with sweat, her heartbeat thudding against his fingertips. As he kissed her, he rolled a nipple between his fingertips. Her whole body jerked.

  “Alexandre…I can’t…” she moaned as he repeated the caress on her other breast.

  “Shhh, kitten, take just a little more,” he coaxed, sliding his hand from her breasts to the heat between her legs. Teasing them both, he ran his fingers along the top edges of her lacy underwear.

  He was so aroused it was almost painful and yet he didn’t want to end this delicious game of the senses. Carefully, watching her dark eyes go even darker, he slipped his hand under the elastic band to cup her. Her whole body went taut, her pupils dilated and then, fine tremors rocked her entire body.

  Masculine satisfaction roared over him as he watched her shatter in his arms. Spreading his fingers, he stroked her softness, delighted when her body arched up and surrendered to another surge of pleasure.

  When the last waves had broken within her, he lay her boneless body down on the bed. As she straightened her legs, the scent of heat and musk rose into the air. His nostrils flared, hunger punching to the surface. Moving to position himself between her thighs, he pushed both her legs up until her feet were flat on the bed, knees raised.

  Long lashes lifted. “You look very pleased with yourself.” Her voice held the tones of a woman who had been well-pleasured.

  He dropped his head and pressed a kiss to the warm skin of her navel, breathing in the scent of her. “Are you pleased with me, Charlotte?”

  “Oh, yes,” she murmured.

  Aching for relief, Alexandre knew he had to have a taste of her before he stormed her body. He kissed his way down her stomach, not stopping the caresses when he met the fine barrier of satin and lace. Surprised, she cried out, her sensitized flesh feeling too much, even through the fragile silky covering.