Dani lifted her chin in order to look at him and caught another glimpse of his inner sadness. She knew then that she couldn’t leave. She’d always wanted to know the real him. The man behind the stage mask; the person responsible for all those impassioned lyrics she related to on so many levels. How could she not take the opportunity to know him better, even if she wasn’t entirely sure he was completely himself?
‘What are you so afraid of?’ he asked.
That their entire relationship would be played out in one paltry night, or even an hour. That he’d hurt her without ever meaning to. And that she’d be found out and punished for it.
‘I’m not actually a prince of darkness. That is, unless you want me to be.’
‘I’d rather you were just you.’
‘Would you?’ he whispered into her hair, so low she strained to hear him. ‘Then you’re the only one.’ He swept a hand down her arm, until he found her hand and clasped it tight. ‘Hold me, Dani.’
‘I’m not sure I …’ Daringly, she spread her fingers wide across his chest. Xane smiled encouragingly. He squeezed her arm. ‘Kiss me.’
She dropped a kiss upon his nose; rained soft kisses upon his face. Xane caught her, supped upon her lips. Boy, did this man know how to kiss. He turned her insides to jelly with only the curl of his tongue.
Dani shrugged aside her normal reserve. The skin across Xane’s chest was smooth and firm, warm too, animated by the persistent thump of his heartbeat. He seemed to like the way her caresses skittered over his body. Leastways, he did nothing to stop her exploration, until her attention wandered below his navel, stroking that slender line of golden fuzz. Then his stomach muscles abruptly twitched.
‘Careful,’ he warned.
Dani snatched her hand away.
‘I didn’t say don’t. Put your hand back. Just be aware of where you’re headed, that’s all.’
‘I am aware.’
‘Sure about that? Then you’d better know that I’m wide-awake.’
Dani rose up on her elbows so that she could look down at his face. ‘You don’t seem very awake.’ Actually, while his eyes still possessed a slightly glazed sheen, he did seem significantly more conscious than he’d been a few minutes ago.
‘Some bits are more alert than others.’
‘Then maybe I shouldn’t touch you there.’
‘I think you definitely should.’
He stroked a hand through her long hair until his palm rested over her lower back. The pressure set Dani’s tensed nerves ablaze.
What was she doing, pretending she could flirt with this man and in any way hope to win? He had the potential to burn her so badly there’d be nothing left but a melted gooey blob.
‘You’re trembling,’ he observed.
‘Am not.’ She cuffed him lightly, although it was true.
‘I dare you.’
‘You dare me to what?’
‘Act on the naughty thoughts you’re thinking.’
Dani put her hand back where it had been on his stomach, which caused Xane to suck in air between his teeth. His eyelids closed, as she began tracing concentric circles around his belly button. She knew this wasn’t what he’d meant, but she’d never really done this before. She’d hardly dared to move with the other guys she’d been with.
‘What do you want me to do?’
‘Whatever you’re comfortable with. It’s nice being with somebody who actually wants me.’
Dani rubbed her cheek against his chest. Even after his shower, the scent of his body proved enough to intoxicate. OK. She was going to take him at his word and seize this opportunity. She leaned over him and tongued the silver hoop through his nipple.
The ring turned beneath her mouth.
‘Yeah,’ he groaned. ‘Again.’
‘You like that?’
‘I like you.’
‘How much?’
His hands skimmed over her lower back, coming to rest across the top of her ass. ‘Keep doing that and maybe I’ll demonstrate.’
‘Only maybe.’ She sucked harder, tugging at the cool metal. Xane’s hips bucked right off the bed, lifting her too.
‘All right, definitely. Now come up here.’ He bucked again, trying to nudge her up towards his head.
‘I like it here.’
‘You’re torment, lady. I’ve another bit that needs your attention a whole lot more than my nipples.’
‘Let me guess, it’s long and thick and …’ And somehow she was saying things that normally she only ever thought, and never actually voiced.
Xane traced a heart-shape over the pulse point in his throat. ‘Come and kiss me here.’
Dani shimmied upwards a fraction to reach.
‘Mmm.’ His appreciation rolled through his body. Shivers of ecstasy chased through his limbs, and he tightened his arms, holding her against him. ‘Harder. Go on, mark me.’
Mark him!
‘Claim me.’
Dani had never understood the appeal of love bites.
‘Please,’ Xane whimpered, then grew stiff as she obliged. ‘Make me yours.’
Even now, when he turned his head to better expose his neck, and his sighs took on the heat of orgasm, she didn’t entirely get it. Tomorrow the mark would be a solid black bruise for the whole world to see. Yet there was no denying the impact on Xane’s libido. The harder she bit, the more he seemed to like it. ‘Yes! Harder. Yes. Don’t be afraid. Give it to me.’ He’d lost all hint of civility. ‘Touch me,’ he begged.
Dani didn’t need to ask where. She understood before his hand found hers and guided her downwards. He filled her palm with his heat, while she nibbled and licked at the bruise she’d made.
He showed her how to move, how to draw her hand all the way up from base to tip and curl her thumb over the head, using the drops of moisture leaking from his body to lubricate the journey.
‘Is it only on your neck you like to be bitten?’
‘I might have a few other sweet spots.’ He lifted his hips in time with the slide of her hand.
Dani stretched upwards, seeking out his mouth, which opened eager to devour her.
Whoa – he was super-eager. His hands were all over her, making a frantic attempt to find a way inside her clothing.
‘Hands off,’ she insisted, holding his wrists still on either side of his head. ‘Slow down, you’ll get your turn. Now, me first.’
He sought her gaze, clearly comprehending her intentions.
‘Let me do this for you, Xane.’
‘You don’t have to do anything.’
No, she didn’t, but he wanted her to regardless of what he was saying. She could see it in his eyes: bold excitement, and a hint of desperation. If she didn’t touch him, he’d die, but it would be no little death. ‘I’ve dreamed about doing this.’
Without further prevarication, Dani shimmied down the bed so that her head lay level with Xane’s hip.
Whore!