Free The Family Way by Jayne Ann Krentz Page A

sensations that were starting to flood her body. McCord’s hands had always held magic, she thought. It was such an indescribable relief to know she wouldn’t have to live without that magic now.
    With a gentle assertiveness that would not be denied, McCord probed farther, urging her thighs apart until he could tease and tantalize every hidden fold. When his rough fingertips found the source of the dampening heat between her legs, Pru cried out softly. Then she turned her head into his shoulders and used her teeth against his skin with sweet, feminine savagery.
    „Ah!“ McCord’s response was tight with his barely leashed need. „Every time I start thinking you’re all sweetness and light, you manage to remind me that there’s a healthy dose of she-cat in you.“
    „You should know. You’re the one who brought her out into the open.“ She heard his sexy laughter as she ran her hand down his body to find the waiting shaft of his manhood. When she touched the throbbing, rock-hard evidence of his desire, he groaned and murmured hot, dark words in her ear.
    The sensual demand in his voice was as enthralling and as exciting as his touch. Pru stirred restlessly, opening herself more invitingly.
    „That’s the way I like to see you, sweetheart. Hot and wet and needing me.“
    She tightened her intimate hold on him, teasing him as he was teasing her. „I do need you, McCord. So very much.“ She was aching with the longing he had elicited. When she moved against him, tightening her arm around his neck, she caught a fleeting glimpse of gold. It was the ring he had put on her hand that morning. She loved him, she thought. She loved him so much that she could never leave him again.
    „If s only been two weeks and I feel like I’m going to explode.“ McCord sounded wryly annoyed as his control rapidly slipped away from him. „I shouldn’t be surprised. You’ve had this effect on me since the first moment I met you. I think I’m going to like being married. Ifs going to be good to know that you really do belong to me, legally as well as every other way. I wonder why I didn’t realize it before?“
    She couldn’t answer that question for him. Pru could only be glad that he had asked it. „Love me, McCord,“ she begged, wrapping her arms around him and drawing him closer. „Please love me.“
    He said nothing, but his thigh slid aggressively between her legs. McCord found her throat with his lips as he lowered himself along the quivering length of her. She felt his solid male shaft touch the smooth, silky skin of her inner thigh and then his hand was clasping her rounded bottom, lifting her. Now she could feel the waiting, blunt hardness of him, but he didn’t push himself into her.
    Pru was suddenly aware of the stillness in him and opened her lashes to see a waiting fire in his eyes.
    She had never known him to hesitate before. His body was shuddering with the force of his need. But he was holding himself in check.
    „McCord?“
    „You do it, Pru. Guide me. Take me inside, sweetheart. Let me know you want me and show me exactly how you want me. I’ll be as slow and careful and gentle as you want me to be. I promise.“
    She shook her head once in wondering confusion. This was a new side of the McCord she thought she knew so well. His consideration touched her deeply. She sank her fingers into his hair and smiled. „I want you to be the way you always are with me. You’ve never, ever hurt me, McCord.“
    He closed his eyes for an instant. When he opened them again, the dark gaze burned her. „Sometimes I’
    m a little rough with you.“
    She didn’t understand. „Only in a very exciting way. Have I ever complained?“ Her smile was unconsciously provocative.
    „No.“ His voice was uneven. „You always respond to me so beautifully. I’m addicted to your responses, don’t you know that? But I thought that now you…that is, I figured you’d want to take things a little slower, a little more gently