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‘Tell me,’ he said, because he needed to hear the words ‘Tell me what you want, baby’

Holly caught her lip between her teeth He was killing her with the touch of his hands, with the heat of his kisses She was shi into a flame more radiant than any that blazed on the hearth

She drew back in his arms and looked up at him ‘Make love to me,’ she murmured ‘Touch me Kiss me, taste me…’

The prih hiirl he’d beenSex had been incredible between them, but he’d always been the one who’d initiated it, who’d whispered words that had brought a blush to Holly’s cheeks She had been responsive, yes, but she’d never asked for anything

Instinct warned him that she would not hesitate to ask, now It

He unzipped her ski jacket and slipped it fro his head to kiss her arched throat and brush his mouth over hers Then he knelt before her and unlaced her boots He slid them from her feet, one at a time; stripped off her socks; lifted each foot and kissed the tender arch, the delicate toes

He undid her jeans, and they fell in a rough tangle at her feet She stepped free of them, and he reached forward and drew her sweater over her head

Now, she was almost naked

Almost naked, before a man for the first time in so many years Holly trembled at the realization There’d been opportunities, but never the desire What would Nick say, if he knew she hadn’t been with a man since him?

Her own vulnerability terrified her

Nick was just standing there, looking at her Why didn’t he say so? Once, he’d never been able to keep froes? Was she a disappointment, after all this—?

Her breath caught as he reached out and stroked his hand down her cheek, her throat, her shoulder…her breast

‘Holly,’ he whispered ‘Holly, my love’

Slowly, he opened the front clasp of her bra Her breasts tumbled free and he saw her reach, automatically, to cover herself

‘No,’ he said, and caught her wrists ‘Let me look at you’

He could look at her for ever, if she’d only let him

She was so beautiful

Creamy skin Perfect, rose-tipped breasts The caentle rise of her belly

He hooked his thumbs into her panties, slowly slid the on her breasts, on the graceful curve of her waist, the roundness of her hips, the golden delta between her thighs