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When the tremors subsided, he pulled his hand away, and she whimpered in protest.

He met her heavy-lidded gaze, brought his fingers to his mouth, and licked them clean.

Delicious. Sweet. His favorite taste.

Her eyes widened, her cheeks turning even redder than before.

Some strands of her hair stuck to her face and neck, so he nudged them away.

He loved the delicate curve of her neck, the way her pulse thudded against her skin. But he wanted more. He wanted to see all of her.

His hands trembled, his cock straining against the confines of his breeches, desperate to feel her skin, to slip inside her sweet, wet center.

The thought made something feral unfurl within him.

With one swift motion, he yanked at the bodice of her dress, the fabric ripping at the seams. She gasped as cool air kissed her bare skin, her breasts exposed to his eyes, her dark nipples hardening with need.

Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

She let out a yelp, her fingers reaching for the tattered dress. “Gideon, it’s not my dress!”

He kissed her deeply, thoroughly, growling between kisses, “I’ll buy them a new one.” A kiss. “Dozens of new dresses if they require.” Another deep kiss. “And a dozen more for you.” A long, breath-stealing kiss. “As long as I can rip them all off you.”

His hands skimmed the sides of her body, his knuckles grazing the underside of her breasts. He wanted to drive her mad with desire until she matched his fervor.

But she wasn’t easily led. She shifted beneath him, thrusting her breasts directly into his waiting palms.

Gideon chuckled but gave her exactly what she wanted, playing with her taut peaks, circling them, pinching them as she writhed beneath him with wild abandon.

He lowered his head and enveloped her breast in his mouth. Gideon couldn’t help but groan with pleasure, and she responded with an answering moan. The softness of her breast, the feel of her hardened peak, the taste of her salty skin ignited an insatiable need within him, ready to explode.

“I need you, Leila,” he rasped.

Leila gently pushed against his chest until he was lying on his back.

She hovered over him, kissing his lips and tasting his tongue with her own.

“Mmm…” She broke the kiss and stared at him with her passion-filled gaze.

She lightly ran her palms over his chest and down his sides, watching as he winced slightly at the dull ache.

He no longer wore a bandage under his shirt. His bruises weren’t as dark, but they still hurt during rigorous activities. In fact, he knew it was going to hurt if he wanted to fuck her properly.

And God, did he want to.

And he was willing to risk it. He was willing to risk it all for just a moment of pleasure in her arms.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” she whispered.

“You’re the only thing that doesn’t,” he replied, and he meant it.

She sat back on her heels, her hair spilling over her shoulders and cascading down her back in waves. Gideon’s breath caught in his throat. She glowed in the dim light, her skin flushed with pleasure, her body bared for him.

“God,” he rasped, reaching up to trace the curve of her breast with the back of his fingers. “You are so damn beautiful, Leila.”

She undid the buttons of his waistband and slid his trousers down his hips. He was already hard, pulsing with need for her, and the way her fingers brushed against his length made his whole body jolt.

With infinite care, she took him into her hand. Gideon groaned, clutching the sheets, a brief pain flashing as he arched into her touch.