Tiger of Talmare by Nina Croft Page A

fiercely to the sight. He couldn't resist stroking one finger over her tight little nipples, watching the way her skin puckered under his touch.
     
    "Zach?"
     
    He tore his eyes from her breasts to her face. She still seemed nervous, and he frowned. "Hmm?"
     
    "I haven't done this in a while."
     
    "How long is a while?"
     
    She hesitated. "Ten years."
     
    He did the math. "So the last time was in the brothel and that doesn't count. How about before that?"
     
    She shook her head.
     
    "What, nobody? You were a virgin? Then that makes this your first time."
     
    "Hardly," Mel muttered.
     
    A wave of hatred rushed through him at the thought of the men who had put her in that place. And for the men who had paid and used her. He was glad she had killed one of them. He'd like to hunt down the rest and cut off their damn dicks himself. He smiled at the thought.
     
    "What?" she asked.
     
    "Just think I might be catching bad habits—or maybe good ones—from you, that's all. Never mind," he continued as she gave him a blank look. "Up you get."
     
    ****
     
    Mel climbed up on the bed and lay flat on her stomach, head to the side, cheek lying against the pillow and watched as he stripped for action.
     
    First, he peeled off the T-shirt. He had a superb chest, ridged with muscle and huge, powerful shoulders. She didn't have time to appreciate the sight fully because he was ripping off his pants.
     
    Her breath caught in her throat; he hadn't been lying. He was rock hard, thick and long, almost vertical against his lean belly, the head purple and swollen.
     
    He noticed her staring at him and grinned. "Told you so."
     
    Her lashes fluttered closed as his large hand stroked down the length of her back, grazing lightly over her buttocks, then pushing gently between her closed thighs. She heard his sigh of satisfaction as he found her already hot and wet for him.
     
    At that first touch, her whole body clenched in anticipation, and his other hand came around to rub her back, massaging the tense muscles.
     
    "Relax, kitten," he murmured. "Just let me do this for you."
     
    His hand moved between her legs, probing the saturated folds of her sex. One long finger slid inside, and her muscles clamped around it. He withdrew then glided higher, making lazy circles, avoiding the most sensitive spot, until she thought she would go mad for his touch. She raised herself up, opening her thighs wider, and not even the sound of his masculine chuckle could stop the instinctive movement.
     
    She turned her head to glare at him. Their gazes locked, and he touched her there, right where she needed it. Her whole world exploded. She collapsed onto the pillow, eyes tight shut, her breath coming in short sharp pants. Still, his fingers moved against her, and she came again, shuddering and jerking.
     
    "Stop," she moaned.
     
    Finally, his fingers went still. She lay unmoving, only the occasional ripple of pleasure shivering through her. At last, when the shudders died down to quiet tremors, she opened her eyes. He was so close, and he leaned down and kissed her on the mouth. A long, slow kiss of possession; his tongue gliding against hers.
     
    He straightened and took a step back, a grin on his face. "That was easy."
     
    Climbing onto the bed, he placed himself behind her, between her spread thighs. His hands rested on her hips, raising her up onto her knees, and she struggled feebly. "Can't," she mumbled, "I've no bones left, everything's turned to Jello."
     
    "Come on, kitten," he urged. "My turn now."
     
    His hands were insistent, and she allowed him to position her as he wanted. She was on her hands and knees in front of him, just as she had imagined. She should have felt vulnerable, but with a start of surprise, she realized that she trusted Zach. The thought made her turn her head and look at him over her shoulder.
     
    He was poised behind her, his expression intent, one hand on his cock. He saw her watching him and smiled. "Ready?"