A groan wrenched from deep within, and I dipped my head and took that mouth I’d been aching to claim. Yes, yes, and yes. Her lips moved against mine—soft, luscious, perfect. God, she was perfect. I kissed her, starved, desperate. She tasted of salvation—fresh, sweet water after burning for so long.

My hands slipped into her hair to hold on as I moved my mouth over hers. And she opened up to me, arching her back to press her breasts against my chest as she kissed me with a fervor that had my entire body clenching. Lust rushed through me so quick and hard my head spun.

I licked into her hot mouth, losing myself in her. Plush lips moved with mine. We found a rhythm, sweet and deep. I’d surge against the gorgeous give of her mouth, and she’d take me in. Each kiss sent a pulse of relief through me, as though I’d finally been given exactly what I needed. Each kiss made me frantic for more. Release and need. Release and need.

The covers rustled as I yanked them out of the way and hauled her closer. She fit against me like she was made to be there. I might have laughed at that simile before, but I hadn’t yet had Emma Maron in my arms. Now, all I could think was “Where have you been all this time?”

I’d missed her before I’d even known her.

“Lucian,” she whispered against my lips, her hands gripping my shoulders. “Lucian.”

My name repeated like a prayer. God, but I wanted to grant her every wish.

“Em.” I slid my thigh between her warm ones. Damp heat ground into my muscle as she clamped down and rolled her hips with a small helpless groan.

“That feel good, honey?” She was mostly shadows, and I itched to turn on a lamp so I could see her properly. But that would mean stopping, and I wasn’t willing to let her go. I relied on touch, running my fingers along her arm, up to her neck, where sweat dewed on her skin. “You like riding my thigh?”

“Yes. Yes.” That word again. Best word ever.

Her lips tickled mine as she panted, her sweet sex working in a little circle. I cupped her cheek and ate at her mouth as she took her pleasure. I’d been wanting to give it to her for so long. So fucking long. Her hands found my chest and slid down, mapping their way along my torso. It was nothing in the scheme of things, but that simple exploration, the way she whimpered and gasped into my mouth, sent licks of heat over my skin.

When her slim hand reached my cock and squeezed me through the barrier of my boxers, a groan tore from me. I shuddered, so close to coming from a furtive grope in the dark it would almost be funny if I weren’t so worked up.

“Take it out,” I rasped, flexing my thigh, knowing she’d feel it. I needed her hand on my bare skin. “Please.”

Deftly she stole beneath the waistband and wrapped her fingers around my needy dick, giving it a firm tug. Then I was the one whimpering and gasping, fucking into the clasp of her hand because it felt so good. Sweet relief, hot pleasure. Alive. She made me feel alive.

My trembling hand found the curve of her waist, where her sleep shirt rumpled between us. The tips of my fingers slid underneath, finding silky skin. “Em.” I kissed her. “Can I see you?”

Please. Please.

Emma suckled my lower lip, her hand busy stroking me, but she pulled away enough to catch my gaze. Her eyes were glassy, lips swollen and wet. “Take it off me. Take it off.”

As though she couldn’t breathe. I’d help her.

I tried to get the shirt up but then huffed out a laugh. “You’re going to have to let go of my dick, honey.”

She kissed me again, a greedy press of lips. “Don’t want to.”

I grinned, my chest filling with liquid light. “Believe me . . .” I kissed her soft mouth. “I’m torn up about it too.” I found her neck, licked her slick skin. “You can have it back real soon.”

“Oh, I will.” She smiled, a wicked glint in her eye, and nudged closer, riding up my thigh, then let me go. I felt the loss immediately but didn’t waste time in pulling the shirt off her. Moonlight colored the breasts I’d been trying so hard not to think of pale silver, nipples dusky shadows. They trembled, nearly touching the wall of my chest as she breathed, her arms around my neck, her gaze wide with anticipation.

“Christ, you’re beautiful. So fucking beautiful, Em.” She’d be beautiful in the pitch dark.

The curve of her bare breast filled my palm, and we both made a noise of pleasure. I tweaked the hard bead of her nipple, loving the way her lids fluttered as her lips parted. She arched into the touch, her head tilting to the side. I kissed my way along her neck, pinching that sweet nipple, tugging it.