Free Return to Me (Storm Lords) by Nina Croft Page B

his touch burned through her, melting her core.
    The steely hardness of his erection pressed against her and his low groan sounded in her ear. He was so big, and a ripple of unease shivered down her spine. Leaning back, she stared into his face. “Torr….” She bit her lip, and his gaze dropped to stare at her mouth. “I’ve never done this before.”
    Shock flared in his eyes, his hands tightened on her. “What?”
    “I’m a virgin. You know—untouched by human hands. Pure as the—”
    His hands left her body, to cup her face. He looked into her eyes, his glowed golden, filled with wonder. “Why?” Then he shook his head. “No. Don’t tell me. It’s enough to know.”
    Then the wonder faded. His brows drew together, and his beautiful lips tightened. His hands slid to her waist, and he picked her up, placed her on the bed, and then rose to his feet. Her muscles tensed as she knelt on the black velvet cover, a matching frown forming on her face as he paced the room, all pent-up energy. The air thrummed with tension; she could almost see the sparks shooting out from him.
    Was he going to turn her down? Maybe he had something against virgins. Perhaps she should tell him about the ‘just sex’ thing. Reassure him that she wasn’t going to get clingy.
    It was odd. While she’d never considered herself particularly attractive—she was too small and skinny for most men’s tastes—it had never occurred to her that Torr wouldn’t want her. Not after the kiss they’d shared earlier. She’d sensed his need, his desire.
    Finally, he halted beside her, running a hand through his hair, then opened his mouth, closed it again without saying anything.
    “I don’t expect anything from you,” she said, taking pity on him. “I haven’t been holding out for marriage or anything. You don’t have to worry.”
    At her words, he came down on the bed, kneeling at her side. “I’m not worried. But I don’t want to hurt you. It’s been a long time for me and you’re small and I’m…”
    Tension drained from her and her shoulders slumped. He wasn’t rejecting her, after all. Then her gaze flashed to the bulge in his pants and her lips quirked. “Not?” Reaching out, she stroked her hand down his cheek. “You don’t have to do anything except hold me.”
    His lips curled in a rueful smile. “I don’t think that’s an option now. I want you too much.”
    “You do?”
    His smile widened. “You can’t be that naïve.”
    Taking hold of her hand, he pressed it against his groin. She felt the shape of him with her fingers, hot and hard, and squeezed gently.
    His eyes closed and his head went back, his breath coming hard and fast.
    She fumbled with the button at his waist and finally managed to flick it open. Her fingers shook as she lowered his zipper. He sprang free, the skin silky, flushed with blood at the swollen head. Sitting back on her heels, she stared at him. He was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Her mouth went dry and she licked her lips.
    Torr made an impatient sound and ripped his shirt open, shrugging out of it, and tossing it to the floor behind him. He stood, pushed down his pants, and kicked off his shoes so he was naked. His skin was pale, his shoulders massive, with the lines of muscle clearly visible. A sprinkling of midnight black hair ran down his lean belly, then flared at his groin. His shaft sprang from the dark curls, almost vertical.
    He came back to kneel in front of her. “Touch me,” he murmured, his voice hoarse with need.
    Bella leaned down and kissed the tip and he jerked beneath her caress. He tasted salty and sweet and she breathed in the musky, male scent of him. She flicked him with her tongue, then lingered, licking her way around the hood, down the long length of his shaft to his balls, drawn tight with need. She kissed him there as well.
    He’d gone completely still, and she paused and peered up the length of his body. His eyes were half-closed, gleaming