Taught by the Tycoon by Shelli Stevens Page A

arranging a bed on it with blankets and a pillow. She wore long, plaid pajama bottoms and some kind of camisole on top.
    For the first time that he could remember, he noticed that her hair was down. It cascaded around her shoulders in long, dark, gorgeous waves.
    He balled his hands into fists, fighting the urge to stride over to her and sink his hands into the locks. To curl his fingers around the strands and pull her head back and seek her mouth with his again.
    Merda . What was she doing to him?
    She turned just then, as if sensing him, and her mouth rounded in an O. The side view of her body showed that the camisole clung to the small swell of her breasts and hugged her flat stomach.
    Desire slammed into him, racing his pulse and stirring the blood in his groin.
    She shifted her stance, hugging a pillow to her chest now. “You can have the bed, or course. I found a blanket in the closet and will make myself comfortable on the couch. I, um, stole a pillow though. I hope that’s okay.”
    “No.” He gave a terse shake of his head and advanced toward her. “It is not okay.”
    Her eyes widened and her cheeks filled with color. She thrust the pillow between them.
    “Sorry, I thought it wouldn’t be a problem, you can have it back.”
    He plucked the pillow from her hands and tossed it back onto the couch.
    “I don’t care about the pillow, Dolcezza .” He lifted her off the ground and into his arms a moment later.
    She made an alarmed gasp, even as her arms wove around his neck to cling to him for support.
    He carried her back to the king-sized bed and dropped her in the middle of it. But before she could scramble back up, he sat down on the edge and leaned over her, trapping her with his arms and placing his hands on either side of her. Her eyes were impossibly wide now.
    “I’m not sleeping with you.” Her words were unsteady, and he could see the furious beating of the pulse in her neck.
    Unable to resist, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to it and she trembled.
    “You think not?” He kissed the side of her mouth. “I want you, Rachel.”
    She let out a shuddering breath, her head turning so their lips almost brushed. But she whispered, “We can’t.”
    “We can.” He lowered his head the tiny distance to press his mouth against hers. “We will.”
    Her lashes drifted shut and she whimpered softly. He lifted his head to stare down at her for a moment. Her eyes were closed and her lips were moist and parted. Through the thin cotton of her blue camisole, he could see the thrust of her tightened nipples.
    Moving one hand upward, he cupped her breast and stroked the tip with his thumb. Her hips came off the bed and she cried out his name. His cock became granite hard and he drew in a sharp breath.
    Dio , but he’d carried her to the bed to leave her alone in it. He would take the couch tonight. But when he’d laid her down, he’d imagined her in the throes of pleasure.
    Now, seeing her like this, completely on the edge and unable to admit what she wanted, he knew couldn’t walk away just yet.
    He repositioned himself just slightly, and then lowered his head to take the fabric-covered nipple into his mouth.
    “ Oh .” Her back arched and her fingers clutched his hair.
    While suckling her, he slid a hand down her belly and beneath the elastic waistband of her pajama bottoms.
    She wore no panties, and he let out a small groan as he discovered the damp curls between her legs. She gasped and her thighs parted, her hips lifted.
    He didn’t need the invitation to slide a finger into her slick heat, but he took it. Her tight, wet sheath gripped his finger, and he stroked her deeply before moving to the sweet spot that would bring her release.
    “Damiano.” She clutched at his hair, her hips rising and falling against his hand.
    He lifted his head, burying his face against her neck. “Come for me.”
    She shook her head, moaning and rocking against him. “I can’t. I...”
    “Come for me,” he