“Thane—”

“Agree, kulta.”

A torturous pause. Then, “I agree. For now.”

For now was good enough.

Leaning down, he pressed his mouth against hers. She opened immediately, as if she couldn’t help herself, and he took full advantage, thrusting his tongue against hers. He demanded. He consumed. He devoured. Never had a female intoxicated him more.

He would give her everything. Do everything with her, things he’d never done with another. He would touch and taste every inch of her, then let her touch and taste every inch of him.

They would never be the same.

His water-slick hands moved to her beautiful breasts and cupped, kneaded. The water had fever-flushed her skin. Or maybe the intense heat radiating from him had done it. His palms burned so hotly he feared he would scorch her, but as he rolled her nipples between his fingers, she moaned and arched her hips, her arousal unfettered.

“Can’t get enough of you, kulta, and I think, perhaps, you can’t get enough of me, either.” He kissed and licked a path down her neck. “Am I right?”

“Yes.” She tilted her head to give him better access. As he sucked on her hammering pulse, she dug her nails into his scalp. “The things you make me feel. It’s like poetry.”

Such beautiful praise... Pressure built, driving him to rub against her with more force. He hissed at the rightness of the sensation. “Tell me what you need.” His voice was nothing more than a growl. “I will do it. Will do anything.”

“You. Your fingers.”

His greedy gaze tracked a path down the center of her stomach, and his hands soon followed. He’d been with hundreds of women. He’d bitten, scratched and whipped, but he’d never touched one the way he was about to touch Elin. He’d always used external devices.

“Open for me.”

She obeyed, spreading her knees as far as they would go.

“Good girl.” He curled his fingers around her mound and moaned. She was hot enough to burn him.

“Thane,” she gasped. “Yes. Like that. But inside.”

His name on her lips...a throaty wisp...

He parted her, dipped a finger into the tight, silken warmth of her, and felt her clench around him. Utter. Perfection. He nearly came. A hoarse cry left her as he pulled out...and sank back in...again and again.

“Move on me.” As he spoke, he urged her backside into a rocking rhythm against his shaft. Up and down, creating a dangerous friction...so insanely good...propelling him closer and closer to the edge of no return. “That’s the way, kulta,” he gritted.

Water lapped over the tub’s rim only to return and stroke over his sensitized skin. Water that had not cooled in the slightest. Water that had only heated.

“Yes.” She reached up to knead her breasts, just as he had done.

It was too much...not enough. He should close his eyes and allow himself to calm, simply enjoy the feel of her inner walls clamping around his thrusting finger. But the sight of her...so erotic... He couldn’t look away, and his need for satisfaction continued to climb.

He battled the urge to grab her by the hips, lift her, and slam her down on his erection. That was what he needed. Her, surrounding him. Her, dripping on him. But he felt like a virgin, completely inexperienced and unsure. This was still so new to him. Pleasure without pain—without even the desire for pain. Being lost in a woman: her scent, the little moans escaping the back of her throat, the way she writhed against him. He didn’t just want to please her. He had to please her. It was a need as necessary as breathing.

“Tell me how much you like this,” he demanded.

“So much.”

Rejoicing, he fed her a second finger and began to work them in and out of her.

Faster and faster. Harder.

Panting, she arched to take him deeper. The heel of his palm pressed against the heart of her need, and she cried out, those wet, wet walls squeezing at him almost as tightly as a fist.

“More. Please, more.”

The sight of her, the sounds she made, both pushed him past all reason. He couldn’t wait a minute longer. Had to finish her. Him. Now. Just like this. With his fingers still nestled inside her, he slammed his hips forward, rubbing the long, hard length of his shaft against her. Then he did it again. And again. Hard and fast. And again. Again. All the while he worked her with his fingers and palm.

“It’s so good, baby. I’m so close,” she rasped.

Baby. An endearment. From a woman. For him. It was as new as the pleasure—and just as intoxicating.

“Come,” he commanded. “Come now. Let me feel you. See you.” He thrust harder, higher, the heel of his hand pressing against her.

“Thane!” she screamed, her inner walls clenching on him, her entire body bowing. A rush of liquid heat spilled over his fingers.

The knowledge that he’d brought her to climax—the sensation of it—sent him over the edge at last. He roared as sublime satisfaction slammed into him, and came against her back. Came more forcefully than he ever would have imagined possible.

When the last of his shudders stopped, he collapsed against the tub and realized he had Elin in a death grip. He loosened his hold and withdrew his fingers.

In the light, those fingers gleamed. His mouth watered, wanting to taste. He licked his lips...and then the fingers. His eyes closed, and his head fell back. So deliciously sweet. How had he lived without it? Without her?

“Maybe we should wash my brain while we’re here,” she said, her voice breathless. “My thoughts are still very, very dirty.”

“You want more, kulta? I’ll give you more.” Gladly. He kissed the base of her neck and grinned. “Your skin is so hot, your freckles little infernos.”

“Hot?” She stiffened. She jolted upright, severing contact. “Um, I think I’ve had enough for one day. I’m gonna take off, okay, and I’m going to borrow your robe.” Before he could reply, she rose and stepped out of the tub. As she pulled the white material over her head, she said, “Everyone will see and know, won’t they? It’ll be my first walk of shame.”

Shame.

She felt ashamed of him, of what they’d done. Even though he hadn’t hurt her.

Ice rained over him. He’d loved every moment together, and she had, too. And yet, the moment her desire was slaked, she regretted.

“I’m sorry.” Elin raced to the door, only to pause with her hand on the knob. “I, uh, had fun. Thanks.”