dishes in the sink and then came around to stand behind her. He drew the robe to the side just a little, baring the curve of her shoulder, which he covered with a series of kisses that sent shivers down her spine and made butterflies dance in her belly.
"Come lie by the fire with me, Rachel."
She stood with him and let him take her hand to lead her over to the fireplace. He grabbed a couple of pillows off the couch and dropped them on the carpeted floor, then sat on the floor and drew her down with him. Chase nudged her to lie back with her head on one of the pillows and stretched out beside her, propped up on one arm, another pillow tucked under him. He carried her hand to his mouth and kissed it in a series of soft, lingering brushes of his lips that sent heat curling through her and made her feel cherished.
Rachel looked up into his eyes and found herself caughtby his intent gaze. His lips quirked in a faint smile as he lowered her hand to rest on his chest. "You look surprised."
"You kissed my hand," she blurted out in response.
"Your hand is very kissable." Chase loosened the top of her robe a little more and began a lazy exploration of the curves and hollows of her shoulders and collarbone. "Every inch of you is delectable."
"You use words like that, and then you say things like—" Rachel broke off, finding herself unable to repeat some of the things he'd said upstairs now that the heat of the moment was past.
"I have a broad vocabulary." Chase dipped his head to hers and kissed the curve of her cheek, then the hollows of her throat. "Pretty Rachel. So beautiful here in the firelight. Will you let me see more of you?"
Rachel untied the robe with fingers that felt thick and fumbling and then pulled it open.
"Look at you." Chase admired her with his eyes, and Rachel felt herself blushing again as he took his time looking over her naked form. He let one hand trail from her throat down the center of her torso, pressing lightly into her navel, coming to rest when his fingers brushed the soft thatch of hair that covered her pubic bone. He toyed with her pubic curls for a moment, stroking and petting, making no attempt to touch her more directly. "You're a natural blonde, I see."
Rachel felt herself blush darker red. "Yes."
"Close your eyes, Rachel." His voice was a soft, seductive whisper. She let her lids shutter her eyes and found herself even more aware of his touch, as if that sense were heightened by the loss of vision.
His mouth and hands moved over her in a mind-numbing series of kisses and caresses. He worked around the obvious spots, neglecting her breasts and mons in favor of exploring her rib cage, her belly, her arms, her thighs. Rachel felt herself sinking into a dreamy haze of sensation and emotion. He was so tender, so gentle, paying homage to her body as if he found her worth worshipping with lips and fingers.
"My pretty captive." He kissed the lower curve of her breast, and Rachel sighed in pleasure. "Stay here. I'll be right back."
She waited, drifting in lassitude, hearing his footfalls moving up and back down the stairs. Maybe he'd gone to get another colorful condom. She felt herself heating at the thought of him preparing to slide into her again.
When Chase returned, he sat at her feet and lifted them into his lap. She felt something cool touch her skin, and then he worked what must be lotion into her feet with his thumbs and fingers, kneading and pressing and stroking her from ankle to toes in a massage that drew little moans of enjoyment from her.
"That feels unbelievably good," she said, sighing.
"It's supposed to." Chase worked his leisurely way up her calves as he spoke. "Did you know that feet contain the pressure points that can stimulate every part of your body?"
"The science of seduction." Rachel felt herself smiling as he stroked down to her heels again. "I love sex with a smart man."
"This isn't about sex." Chase finished with her feet and placed them back