The Prince's Texas Bride by Leanne Banks Page B

four-thirty to work off some of my frustration to keep from wringing their skinny necks.”
    He chuckled again. “Some of their necks are fat.”
    Shaking her head, she sank her face into his bare shoulder and inhaled deeply. “I like the way you smell.”
    â€œI’m not wearing cologne,” he said and lifted her head. The expression in his eyes was just this side of ravenous. “Eve, you’re not acting like a woman who wants me to hold back.”
    Fighting a flutter of nerves, she licked her suddenly dry lips. Fish or cut bait, she told herself. “Maybe my actions are doing all the real talking.”
    She felt him slide one of his hands all the way downher back and he pulled her against his arousal. He made sure she knew just how thoroughly he was aroused. “Are you sure? I want you to be sure.”
    â€œAnother disclaimer for the advisers?”
    He narrowed his eyes. “No. For me.”
    She took a deep breath. “I’m sure.” She smiled. “Ravish me.”
    He shook his head. “What an invitation,” he said and pushed her dress down her shoulders. Three heartbeats later, her bra snapped loose and his mouth covered hers.
    Eve knew she was venturing into new territory, but she was determined not to be shy about it. She wanted to feel everything. She wanted to feel bold and in control, but the truth was she felt vulnerable. Eve refused to give in to weakness.
    Instead she focused on her senses. She traced her fingers through his crisp hair, down to his strong shoulders and chest. He slid his hands over her bare breasts and she shuddered. Her internal and external temperature rose exponentially. Eve had never been high, but she suspected this was what it might feel like. Her head was spinning, she found it difficult to breathe and a wicked euphoria raced through her veins.
    Somehow, during the next kiss, her dress and panties were pooled at her feet. She scrubbed at his arms and felt remnants of his shirt. His pants-clad thigh slid between hers.
    â€œYou have on too many clothes,” she said, her voice sounding husky to her own ears.
    He shook his head. “Once my clothes are gone, my control will follow.”
    â€œThank goodness,” she said.

Chapter Six
    H er words had the effect of gasoline on Stefan’s passion. Within a moment he’d stripped off his own clothes and carried her to one of the couches and followed her down. She exulted in the weight of his body, propped on his elbows, against hers. His chest was hard and his kisses were a delicious combination of soft and passionate.
    He plucked her nipples with his fingers then followed with his lips. One of his hands skimmed down over her rib cage, over her abdomen, then lower, between her legs. Everything he did made her feel more restless, more eager, more needy.
    She arched toward him and he growled in approval. “Just a moment,” he promised and put on protection, then pushed her legs apart.
    She instinctively braced herself just before he thrust inside her. “Oh,” she whispered, at the stinging, stretching sensation.
    Stefan abruptly paused and searched her face. “Eve, are you—”
    â€œNot now,” she said, feeling self-conscious for the first time since he’d begun kissing her.
    â€œWhy didn’t you—”
    She tugged on his shoulders to draw his face closer to hers. “Can we talk about this later?” she asked and wriggled experimentally beneath him.
    Stefan swore. “Stop it,” he said, but brushed his lips over her jaw.
    â€œWhy? I think I’m starting to like—”
    He covered her mouth with his and began to pump slowly inside her, stealing her breath. He slid his fingers between their lower bodies, stroking her at the same time. Eve felt as if she were a rubber band drawn tighter and tighter. She breathed in sharp bursts, wondering how much longer she could stand the sensation of him filling her