Page 48 of Perfume Girl

He leaned forward and whispered, “Then I’ll make it count.”

My jaw dropped in surprise as he knelt and lifted the hem of my dress. His palm slid up my inner thigh and then he reached for my thong, sliding it to the side to expose me.

I’d not been intimate with a man for what felt like an eternity. I couldn’t think clearly, couldn’t work out how we’d gotten here…but I wanted this more than oxygen.

His seductive gaze rose to meet mine, his sharp, gorgeous features mesmerizing.

His tongue darted.

Okay, wow.

It felt amazing, this tingly pleasure owning me as he ran his tongue along my clit. I shuddered at the sensation, stunned I was letting the enemy do this to me.

This was more than flirting, this was reckless—and I was wildly abandoning all sense of control. I savored the feel of his tongue spiraling against my clit, causing it to throb deliciously.

His mouth widened and he possessed me entirely, rhythmically sucking my clitoris and then pounding it with the tip of his tongue, a delectable, daring gesture that caused waves of never-ending bliss to rush through me. My nipples ached and my body began to tremble. “I’m going to…”

He reached around with both hands and dug his fingers into my butt, holding me firmly against him so there was no escape. My head fell back and my pelvis rocked against his face as wave after wave of ecstasy rushed through me, taking me into the stratosphere.

This was different to anything I’d ever experienced. This was a man who knew how to devour a woman and wasn’t afraid to do it at her feet.

I shuddered through an endless climax, gripping his head to make sure he didn’t deny me the last drop of pleasure possessing me. My legs went weak and I whimpered as he lashed me with his tongue for the final time.

He rose with the same masculine grace with which he’d knelt. “I want more of you.”

With a shaky nod I permitted him to lean forward and press his mouth against mine, only it was a tender kiss this time, sharing my sweet taste with his passion to possess me. Instinctively, I fought against his ownership, nipping at his lip—and he groaned, his tongue warring with mine more fervently as he pressed me to him in a tight embrace.

Finally, we broke apart and held each other’s gaze. I was certain he was questioning our actions, too.

Astor laced his fingers through mine and led me into the bedroom.

The room offered simple luxury. A burgundy quilt covered a large four-poster with tall, swirling carved posts. On either side were matching bedside tables. A white vanity sat near windows covered with closed red curtains.

“Tonight you are mine to please, Raquel,” Astor said. His hand caressed my arm and electricity shot along my skin. “Turn around.”

I did as he asked and my thighs weakened at the sensation of his fingers working the catch at my nape. He lifted my arms and eased the dress over my head, tossing it across the room.

Self consciously, I covered myself with my arms. “I haven’t…for a while.” I hated confessing it.

I felt the gentle touch of his lips against my left shoulder, and then he proceeded to rain kisses along my back and over to my right ear. I was in a foreign place feeling foreign sensations and I found it all so hard to believe.

Just breathe…

Astor rested a hand on my lower back, coaxing me toward the bed.

His hands moved down the curve of my spine and over my butt, which he squeezed, causing a jolt of pleasure to rush through me. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me back against his chest, burying his face in my hair.

The warmth of his body left mine and I felt him working the catch of my bra strap, unclipping it and setting my breasts free. I crossed my arms over my chest and stared across the room, embarrassed by my vulnerability.

He quickly pulled down my panties and I stepped out of them.

“Don’t be shy with me, Raquel.”

I spun round in his arms. “Maybe this time we can just do the ravishing part. Leave the destroying bit until next time…if there is a next time. Not that I expect there to be—”

He placed a fingertip on my lips. “Shhh,” he said, smiling. “I’m taking the lead.”

Closing my eyes, I pressed my cheek against his chest and breathed in his masculine scent, feeling my fears dissipate.