Free Light Beyond the Darkness by Tami Lund Page A

as she struggled to come to terms with her fear. He wondered about the fear, wanted to press to determine the root, but now was not the time. If he asked, he would lose her completely, at least temporarily, and neither his body nor mind was ready to let her go just yet.
    “This,” she finally said, indicating herself. “This position. Me, lying on my back. It’s…This is how—” He cut her off with a shake of his head.
    He pushed to his feet and dropped onto the bed, lying on his back. “Here,” he said. “I can be subservient. Do what you will with me.” He smiled, trying to lighten the mood. Trying to ensure she did not close up entirely, and change her mind about where they were headed.
    She sat up and smiled. “I’m not sure I even know what to do with you. But this does make me feel more comfortable. Thank you.”
    Thank the gods, fates, and lights . Reid blew out a breath. “I’ll guide you.”
    She looked dubious.
    “Take off my shirt. Just the top one. Leave the undershirt.”
    “Oh,” she said, understanding blooming on her face. She pulled off his shirt.
    “Now take yours off.”
    She hesitated and then unlatched the buttons on her sweater. He sucked in a breath, and his eyes dilated as she slipped the sweater over her shoulders, revealing the lace camisole underneath.
    “Your eyes are glowing,” she commented.
    “That happens when our emotions are heightened.” He watched her with eyes he knew were filled with stark hunger. Hell, he wasn’t surprised they were glowing. His emotions were certainly running high at the moment. Everything was running high at the moment.
    “Oh. This one too?” she asked, referring to her camisole.
    “Come here,” he said gruffly.
    He held out his hand, and she placed her smaller one into it. He gave it a tug, and she climbed onto the bed and straddled his hips. She kept her weight on her knees, instead of sinking onto his groin like he wanted her to. But that was okay. All in good time.
    “Let me,” he said, his voice gone hoarse with need. He placed his hands on the leather boots, ran them up to the tops, then trailed his fingers up her thighs. She shivered, and he continued upward until his hands rested on her waist, at the lacy hem of her camisole. “May I?” He would do nothing she did not want him to do.
    She lifted her arms over her head.
    He pushed his hands up her side, taking the camisole with him, and then he tugged it over her breasts and over her head. They jiggled as the material released them. Her nipples peaked instantly, and she sucked in a ragged breath and stared at him as he stared at her chest.
    “You can—can you touch me?” she whispered.
    Reid groaned as he lifted his hands and cupped her breasts. “So beautiful,” he murmured as his thumbs brushed over her sensitive nipples. She arched into his touch, making a sexy noise that he was quickly learning meant she approved. He did it again and then pushed himself up onto one elbow so he could take one of those delicious-looking, rosy buds into his mouth.
    Carley cried out and thrust her hands into his hair, holding him there. He obligingly laved at her breasts, more than happy to give her this pleasure.
    He took as much control as she would give him, while he remained on his back and she straddled his hips. And slowly, gradually, they removed their clothing, until he wore only his undershirt, and she sat astride him, utterly gorgeous in all her natural, naked beauty. When she’d tried to pull off his undershirt, he stopped her with his hand covering hers, and distracted her with a kiss, possessive, thorough, until she panted with need and forgot what she’d intended to do in the first place.
    But then the tension began to ratchet up again. He sat up and hugged her to him. He could feel the wetness between her legs. She was so ready for him, and yet she was suddenly hesitating again.
    “What is it?” he asked as he rubbed his face against her beautiful, flaxen hair. “Tell me,