Death is Forever

another, then another, touching her so gently that tears gathered and overflowed. His words were another kind of caress, a glittering fire licking over her mind and body, telling her that she was beautiful, softness and heat, sweetness and hunger, a sensual fire burning all the way to his soul.
    The restraint and unexpected tenderness of his caresses unraveled her. She forgot the past, forgot the future, forgot everything but the exquisite sensations radiating through her body with each touch of Cole’s hands, his body, his mouth, until she was breathless and whimpering softly, twisting against him in slow motion.
    Cole felt her response in the heat of her skin, tasted it in the fine mist he licked from between her breasts, heard it in the soft, broken cries that were his name. Her sensuality was as unexpected as it was uninhibited. Blood hammered through him so fiercely he could barely breathe. He bent to her breasts once more, tugging on a hard peak with his mouth while his hand slid down her body, undoing her clothes, pushing them to her knees, then returning to find the softness and heat that had been hidden beneath cloth.
    When his hand curled possessively around her tangled thatch of hair, Erin went rigid.
    Instantly Cole retreated. Then her sultry response spilled over his fingers. A wild answering heat swept through him, making him groan with the knowledge that it was pleasure, not fear, that had tightened her body. He moved his hand again, rubbing his palm over her sensitive flesh, and was answered with another passionate shudder. Unable to stop himself, he slid one finger between soft folds of skin and caressed even softer, hotter flesh.
    “Cole.” Her husky voice was barely recognizable.
    “I’m right here,” he said, teasing the hard peaks of her breasts with his tongue while his finger slowly withdrew from her body, only to return even more deeply. “Do you want me to stop?”
    She laughed a little wildly. Then her breath broke in a cry of surprise as pleasure burst, sending heat shimmering through her. Instinctively she moved, seeking more of his touch, needing it with a force she neither understood nor questioned.
    “Is that yes or no?” he asked, biting her nipple with exquisite care.
    Another shudder of pleasure ripped through her, taking her voice. “Yes,” she managed finally. “I mean no.”
    Erin’s eyes opened. Their smoldering color was more beautiful than anything Cole had ever seen, even the green diamond she’d given him.
    “Don’t stop,” she said.
    “Does that mean I can finish undressing you?” he asked, his voice as caressing as his hand.
    She looked down the length of her own body to the dark masculine hand nestled between her legs. She made an odd sound, not quite laughter and not quite embarrassment.
    “All I’m really wearing is you,” she said. “I should be embarrassed, but I…like it.”
    Cole set his jaw against the force of his own response. Erin’s honesty and sensuality kept taking him by surprise, stripping away his control with every hot word, every hungry movement, her eyes a green fire burning through him. He tried to be gentle as he took off the rest of their clothes, but he knew he was moving too quickly, almost clumsy with the violence of his own need. He saw her head turn slightly and knew the exact instant she saw that he was as naked as she was, lying on his back, unable to hide the extent of his arousal.
    Closing his eyes, Cole prayed he wouldn’t have to find out if he could keep the promise he had made to her: We could be dead naked and you could be all over me like a hot rain, but if you changed your mind I’d get up and get dressed and that would be the end of it .
    “Cole?”
    His eyes opened. “Frightened?”
    Slowly she shook her head.
    “Sure?”
    She nodded.
    “Then what is it, honey?”
    Unable to bear his intent look, Erin bent and brushed her mouth over his shoulder while she asked her question. “Is it all right if I touch you?”
    “Any time, anywhere, any way you want.”
    Her hand slid hesitantly down his body. “Even here?”
    His breath broke. “Especially there.”
    Her fingertips were cool, uncertain, and incendiary as they traced the hot, unfamiliar textures of his desire.
    “I can feel your heartbeat,” she whispered, curling her hand around him.
    He shuddered and groaned.
    “I’m sorry,” she said instantly, withdrawing.
    “Do it again and I’ll forgive you.” His breath came in with a ripping sound