There was a corner of his mind that she occupied, and with her back into his arms tonight, he could build on what he'd learned—give her more of what she'd enjoyed the most.
And try a few new things.
He dropped to his knees and stripped her panties next, holding his breath for the sight that was about to be his. Soft folds, completely bare save for a neatly trimmed patch of hair hiding those luscious lips between her thighs. He put his face there now and slicked his tongue inside. She fisted his hair and tugged, eliciting a sharp shout of satisfaction.
"No, not out here," she said.
Yes, here. His hallway. His house. His wife.
He didn't argue, but delivered blow after blow. Lick after lick. And when he found her clit, he sucked, to see what her reaction would be. She arched her back and pulled his hair, and he decided he'd make her come, right here against the wall.
He explored her with a finger, then two, stroking in time as he savored her with his tongue. She tasted heavenly—the kind of taste you sample and never, ever forget.
"Please, oh please," she panted now, begging for release. Thrusting against his face, with one hand on the wall for leverage and the other on the back of his head as she guided him.
Greedy. Demanding.
He couldn't get enough.
Slipping his fingers into her warm wetness again, he stroked her clit slowly.
"Come, beautiful," he instructed. He sped up his strokes, repeating the smooth, slick motion until he watched her eyes pinch closed. Then he lowered his mouth to her again and on contact, her thighs locked.
Her shouts of ecstasy would have brought the entire house staff running had they been on the clock. Those shouts turned to whimpers as her tightened thigh muscles grew useless. She collapsed against the wall and began to slide.
Reese didn't let her fall.
He stood, scooped her into his arms, and smiled down at the woman now holding on to his neck. Hooded eyes brimmed with satisfaction. Her smile was foxy and slightly embarrassed.
"I suppose you're proud of yourself," she grumbled as he carried her to the bedroom.
"Damn straight," he said, then deposited her on the bed.
Naked, sated. Goddamn beautiful. And for tonight. His.
All his.
* * *
"No wonder the girls want you to call them back," Merina said half to herself as she lay on the bed. Realizing Reese heard her, and that her comment was as nakedly honest as she was, she attempted to cover by adding, "Dinner was nice. What I ate of it, anyway."
"Hmm." He sent a gaze down her body and up. Chills rose on her skin in response. "I don't know about dinner but dessert was five-star."
When he reached for his tie, her breath snagged. His hand halted over the knot. "What is with you and getting me out of this tie?"
Merina pushed to her knees and tugged the length of striped silk, bringing his face to hers. "I like when you come undone, Crane."
"Control freak." His warm breath tickled her lips and she smothered his words with her mouth. He cupped her breasts, not the least bit shy about touching her. She made quick work of his tie, untucked his shirt, and shoved his hands away in the race to undo his belt.
"Turnabout is fair play," she breathed, her hands shakily unzipping his pants. When she'd leaned over the table at dinner to whisper into his ear, she'd had one thing in mind.
Tasting him.
"I didn't expect…" Whatever he'd been about to say was lost in a long, deep sigh when Merina closed her mouth over his bare cock. He was hard and getting harder under her attention, and he tasted heady and spicy.
One warm palm tracked down her back while she worked, stroking a sensual line over her spine, closing over her bottom and then up again. His movements slowed hers, taking her from racing to savoring, and rather than be in a hurry, she enjoyed every second.
When the fingers of his other hand speared her hair, it wasn't to hold her mouth in place, but to gently touch the underside of her jaw, massage her scalp, and issue words of praise that tangled around her heart.
"Merina." His voice broke on her name.
When he was close, he spoke her name again, gently pulling from her mouth. She allowed him to slip away, sitting up on her knees and cupping his backside—almost as steely as his front side.
And because she hadn't had enough of feeling how hard he was everywhere, she let go of his ass and trailed her hands beneath the shirt hanging loosely from his shoulders. Rocky abs and concrete chest and rounded, thick shoulders. She pushed his shirt off his arms, running her hands over his warm muscles.
"I like you like this," she told him. "Take your pants off." She sat back on her heels and watched as he stomped out of his pants and discarded his shoes and socks.
He lowered over her and she pushed on his chest, forcing him to his back. "Oh no you don't."
"You want control tonight, Merina?" He cupped her hips in his large hands, making her want to take back those words, but then she remembered that most of her fantasies had included her on top, so the answer was yes.
She wanted control tonight.
Sliding one leg over his, she pushed her breasts out as she straddled him. When he raised his hand to touch her, it was to draw a line over her tattoo. His eyes locked on hers, filled to the brim with heat, and he lifted his head slightly off the pillow. She kissed him, a soft sigh tickling her throat as his hands moved to her breasts.
Reese took control from her, sliding his tongue along hers and slowing the pace. He turned her inside out with each thick, delicious, drugging kiss, and she found her hold loosening. Her body softening. Her mind melting.
Before she knew what happened, the world was rotating and she was on her back again. When she opened her eyes, Reese was rolling on a condom. Before she could complain that this was not his show to run, he was between her thighs and sliding home in one strong stroke.
Slow.
Then out again even slower.
"Yes." Holding on to him, Merina uttered the name she'd avoided using as much as possible. "Reese."
* * *
Reese returned from disposing of the condom and collapsed facedown next to Merina, who was lying on her back, arm over her eyes. She hummed and he heard the smile there. Then he lifted his head and saw it too. Propped on his arms, he leaned over and kissed the corner of that smile.