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He had never felt so greedy when it came to a woman before. But with Phee, he was voracious.

“Don’t go yet,” Apollo urged, swirling over her pearl in deliberate strokes. “Come for me first.”

“Apollo,” she objected, her voice breathy.

She didn’t make any effort to stop him or leave the bed. Her body told him a different story, her legs gliding apart in welcome, her hips seeking and circling, moving in time to his touch. He tongued the hollow behind her ear next. She made a delicious sound of surrender that went straight to his already aching cock.

“Apollo, I must go.”

“You must also come,” he countered, mercilessly swirling his fingers over her clitoris. “And then you must promise to accompany me this afternoon and evening.”

“Mmm,” was all she said, swiveling against his touch.

“Say yes,” he prodded.

“I…can’t.” She sounded frustrated, but still, she didn’t leave his bed.

She was drenched now, and he wanted nothing more than to lose himself inside that slick heat. But he wouldn’t, because he knew that the sun was rising ever higher, the daylight growing, and soon she would stand a very real chance of being seen leaving his room. Even if she was masked, the potential for scandal would be there, simmering beneath the surface until she reached the safe haven of her own bedroom.

He wanted her, yes, but the desire to protect Phee was stronger than all other needs.

So, he settled for playing with her, bringing her to release. He nipped her earlobe before kissing a path down her throat to find where her pulse raced erratically just beneath her silken skin.

“You can,” he murmured, swirling her dew over her, increasing his pressure and pace and leveraging himself on his free arm so he could watch her as she came undone. “Surrender for me, Phee. Tell me yes.”

“I…oh, curse you, Apollo.” Her eyes had fallen shut, copper lashes resting on her cheeks.

In the growing light, he could distinguish each fleck of freckles decorating the bridge of her nose. God, she was magnificent. And at least until they left this house party, she was his.

One more day after today.

He had to have more. They had only just begun.

Abruptly, he stilled his fingers, keeping them on her slick flesh, unmoving.

She made a sound of protest. “Apollo.”

He kissed her, giving her his tongue. “Tell me yes,” he murmured against her lips. He wanted—needed—her capitulation.

She bucked against his hand. “Please.”

He sucked hard on one nipple and then released it, the lusty sound echoing in the hush of the room. “Wrong word, and the sun is rising, love. Soon, everyone will be about.”

“Forget wicked. You’re diabolical.”

He gave her clitoris a single, light caress with a lone finger for that. “I promise you that Mal will be an excellent host. Everyone will be far too busy indulging in whatever debauchery he has organized for their delectation. And you’ll be with me where you belong.”

She slid a hand between them, her fingers attempting to dash his away so she could finish herself. Stubborn woman. He caught her fingers in his and brought them to his lips, kissing them.

“Please, Phee.”

Perhaps in the end, it was his own entreaty that forced her hand. She sighed.

“Very well,” she relented. “Yes.”

He grinned down at her. “You won’t regret it.”

Then he applied himself to the true task of bringing her to completion. He’d already had her on the edge, so it didn’t take long. Lowering his mouth to hers, he claimed her lips in a slow, sensual kiss. Her response was instant, her tongue meeting his, her body softening. He swirled his thumb over her needy pearl and sank two fingers inside her. She was hot and wet, tightening on him and dragging him deeper.