Page 50 of Urban Justice
Her arms went around his neck, desperate for a diversion. Their mouths battled for a second before Luke fisted her hair, baring her, rubbing his beard over the tender flesh, and getting her attention. “I have no doubt you want this as much as I do. Rough and all-consuming. But not this time. I’ll get my fill of you, but on my terms. You follow my lead or I walk. Do I make myself clear?”
Luke loosened his hold enough for Sloane to peer into his dark eyes, and she saw he couldn’t be more serious. There was a sense of finality in what he was offering, a deadline that was to be seized now, or lost forever.
Her body agreed before her mind could form a question, but when Luke pushed away from her and stood, Sloane froze. She’d thought he was going to take her on the floor, with the same violent hunger they’d had when they’d had sex before, but he offered her his hand instead.
When she took it, Luke pulled her with him out of the kitchen toward the bedroom. After closing the door, Luke gently caressed her cheek, pushing a wild strand of pink hair behind her ear. Still expecting the same explosive passion they’d shared before to detonate any second now, Sloane leaned forward to kiss him, but Luke shook his head and instead touched her cheek with his lips. It was so soft, so gentle, that Sloane held still, uncertain, trying to find her balance, the meaning of all this. Remaining still, and not taking control or unleashing what she felt, made her edgy, impatient. Vulnerable.
Twice she reached for him, to take control, twice he pushed her hands away, his lips tracing a lazy path across her jaw and near her ear. A shiver coursed down her spine when he sighed, his warm breath fanning her skin as the tip of his tongue traced a ticklish pattern down her neck to her collarbone. Now his touch was firmer, his furry cheek rubbing against her before he kissed her again. Only then did his hands move to her waistband and lower the hidden zipper of her suit.
Remaining immobile was an exercise in restraint, something she’d had minimal experience in. She’d always been a passionate lover, always wanting to devour her partner, get her fill, only to feel like an empty shell in the morning.
Luke distracted her wayward mind when he pushed her pants down her legs, crouching in turn, making sure to caress her all the way to her ankles. With the same slowness, he unlaced her boots one by one, making her lift her feet one by one, freeing her from her gear.
Rising, he placed kisses on her legs. She was still in her panties and camisole, but from the way Luke’s burning gaze looked at her, it was as if she was naked. Anticipation slowly replaced frustration. How could she be impatient when this fascinating man was indulging himself in her, making her the center of his world? Had she ever been that important to someone?
Now towering above her, Luke slid a finger over her bottom lip and smiled when she couldn’t resist swirling her tongue over his finger.
“Your turn.”
It took a few heartbeats for Sloane to understand what he meant. Her hands were shaking when she reached for him. Her old self would have torn at his clothes, turned everything into an inferno. Luke was pushing her to crave a slow burn, one she didn’t have complete control over.
As gently as she could, Sloane ran her fingers over his hair. Luke closed his eyes and moaned, which made her grin. Her fingers continued down his jaw, scratching at his beard, which made him chuckle. How she loved to see it, that relaxed grin melted something inside her, made her want to see more of it.
He was too tall for her to kiss him, so she moved to his coat, unbuttoning it. When her speed increased, Sloane reminded herself to slow down, to respect the promise she’d made to Luke to follow his lead, his desire.
When she pushed the coat off him, it was impossible not to indulge and run her hands over his muscled pectorals and shoulders, down his arms. Far from unaffected, Luke leaned into her touch, but Sloane took her time, followed his rules, and didn’t rush.
Not breaking eye contact, she undressed him, taking advantage of every patch of skin. It became her newfound pleasure to draw every shiver, explore every sensitive spot, indulge in every moan she could get. Soon, he was down to his briefs, breathing hard under her ministrations as if he’d run a marathon. A slow sheen of sweat gleamed over his forehead, but she couldn’t even gloat, as she was probably just as hot and helpless.
The black underwear strained to contain his erection, and before she satisfied her curiosity by pulling down his briefs, she cupped him. A rumbling hum of appreciation came from him, his hips thrust, pushing him firmer into her palm. He was hot and throbbing, and his reaction made her squeeze her thighs together. From the moment he’d closed the room’s door, she’d wanted to ease the tension between her legs, and he only pushed her further, forcing her to endure it as her need grew.
With his arms against his sides, Luke leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “Do you feel as desperate as I do? How would you like me to slide my hand between your legs? Are you as wet as I think you are?”
Her voice was strained when she finally formed a coherent answer. “Why don’t you find out?”
The damn man chuckled when all she could do was pant. Luke took the lead again when he pushed her hand aside and pulled her camisole over her head. Blinded for a second, Sloane didn’t see him capture her one of her nipples before sucking it gently.
Tangled in her camisole, she scrambled to throw it away and take his head in her hands. Caressing, scratching, and pulling a little, it was clear she couldn’t divert his attention until he was good and ready, and as proof, he moved to lavish her other breast.
At the onslaught of sensations, her body began to move and undulate, stimulated by Luke, but restrained by her own mind. While his mouth was busy, rough fingers rasped against her body, down to her hips. She almost didn’t hear her panties being torn from her when Luke bit her nipple hard. The mix of pain and surprise nearly made her snap, but Luke’s slight squeeze on her hip reminded her to stay still.
When he let go of her breast with a popping sound, Sloane prayed he would reward her patience by moving lower, but he straightened and swept her into his arms like a bride. He was a scholar, and although his strength was undeniable, he only touched her with great care, with a gentleness she’d never known before. When he put her on the bed, his mouth returned to hers, more intense although still gentle. It was as if he poured all of his desire into her body, and it was working.
On a silent plea, she opened her legs, but he remained on his side, kissing her, only now his hand caressed every dip and valley on her body before settling between her thighs, cupping her as she’d done to him.
“Wet and trembling. You can’t realize how crazily beautiful and sexy you are right now. I’ve dreamed of having you like this, offered up to me, soft, but so strong. Everything beautiful about a woman is wrapped up in you, Sloane. Don’t you see it?”
Just as she was about to shake her head in denial, a teasing finger traced her sex. “Luke.”
“Yes, darling. I’m here, and I’m all yours, if you follow my lead. I want so much more. Don’t you want more, Sloane?”
“I want more, please. I can’t play this game anymore.”
“Yes, you can, because you’re the most powerful woman I know.”
Sloane was about to say otherwise when the pad of his finger rasped her clit. Her hands went to him as an anchor, her nails digging into his shoulders and arms.
“Easy, my beautiful warrior. Trust me.”