Tempt Me by R. G. Alexander Page B

the shadows. Yet another reason he should resist her.
    She nodded, a wrinkle of worry forming between her arched brows. “You should replace a few of your habits with something less dangerous.” She bit her lip, the backs of her fingers swirling around his hard nipples. “Ive was right. You are absolutely perfect.”
    Gabriel groaned, wondering why he’d ever thought he stood a chance against her. Against this. “You’re the dangerous one. Do you know that?”
    He didn’t wait for her answer. He gripped her hips and lifted her onto the table, taking her mouth with a ferocity that should have shocked him. Any finesse he had was gone, but she didn’t seem to mind.
    If anything, she matched his wildness. Demanding just as much. Needing just as much. Her nails scratched his back as she pulled him closer and he growled. Loving the sensation.
    Then she was reaching for his hand and placing it underneath her skirt, between her thighs. He hissed at the feel of her damp, cotton panties beneath his fingertips. She covered his fingers with her own and pressed down against her clit, massaging herself in firm, swift circles, showing him how she wanted to be touched. This was what he needed. Not the fantasy. Not the dream of her. He wanted raw sex and real passion.
    Energy surged through him. Power. Touching her did this to him. But he had to have more. He had to have everything.
    His fingers slipped beneath the elastic band and cotton fabric to touch her and he moaned as her arousal soaked his skin.
    He lifted his mouth and she sighed. “Gabriel, you’re making me so dizzy. How are you doing that?”
    His free hand stilled on the zipper of his pants as her words splashed over him like an icy wave. He wanted to believe it was him, his kiss that made her dizzy, but he knew that wasn’t entirely true. He could taste the tequila mixed with Angelique’s unique flavor on his tongue. He knew she wasn’t in complete control.
    A second ago it didn’t matter. He wanted her too much. So much he hadn’t thought about where they were or what he was doing. A vein on his temple throbbed. He hadn’t even thought about condoms.
    His body didn’t care. His cock was still trying to punch a hole through his jeans and his hand was still between her legs, craving the contact.
    But satisfying this craving wouldn’t happen unless he was the only thing affecting her senses.
    Maybe he was a fucking gentleman after all.
    He took his hand from beneath her skirt. Slipping his arm beneath her legs and his other around her back, he cradled her in his arms.
    Angelique smiled up at him, then leaned her head on his shoulder. “You’re carrying me to bed? I never pictured you as a romantic.”
    “Neither did I.” His thoughts were grim. “You need to sleep, Angelique. And I need a cold shower. Maybe an ice bath.”
    “Sleep?” She yawned. “You’re not taking me up there to sleep, are you?”
    He walked up the stairs slowly, reveling in the weight of her in his arms. Her scent. She cuddled closer, humming a little under her breath, and his lips twitched.
    “Quit wriggling or I might change my mind.”
    She laughed softly, and then her breathing began to change. Slow and deep. She’d fallen asleep. Too bad. Parts of him had really been hoping she’d change his mind.
    He got to his bedroom door and angled his body to carry her inside without disturbing her.
    “Sleepwalking?”
    Gabriel tightened his grip on Angelique and looked up to see BD standing in the shadows. “Not quite.”
    His host smiled, studying the bundle in Gabriel’s arms. “She is special, isn’t she? And stronger than her brother gives her credit for. I’ve always known that.”
    Gabriel shook his head. “You think you can do anything when you’re young.”
    “She’s not that young.” BD laughed. “But if that makes your stay on the couch more comfortable tonight, keep thinking it.” He pointed toward his bedroom down the hall and lowered his voice. “Bethany’s