Iron Seas 03 - Riveted

but now she felt awkward and exposed, with her legs parted and knees bent—nothing at all like the poised and elegant women in New World fashion plates and advertisements. Should she twist onto her side, look over her shoulder?
    Unable to bear the quiet, she whispered, “Should I put them back on?”
    “No,” he said, and that single hoarse word erased her fear. His mouth eased over her lips, parted them with a penetrating sweep of his tongue. His fingers trailed up the inside of her thigh. Anticipation trembled through her. He paused, as if waiting for a protest.
    She could only offer encouragement. “Let me touch you, too.”
    “No.” He kissed her again, said roughly, “I’ll make a mess all over you.”
    When he came? “I want that.”
    He shuddered. His hand slid higher. His head lifted. Watching, as his fingers brushed her curls. Desperate for a stronger touch, she raised her hips, bumped up into the flat of his palm. He pressed down, the heel of his hand against her clitoris. Oh, like that. Just like that.
    “Right there, David.”
    He rubbed a small circle. Her back arched on a ragged moan.
    He groaned against her mouth. “Let me hear that again.”
    She couldn’t have stopped herself if she’d wanted to. She criedout again, her hands clenching on his shoulders, her hips pumping against his hand. Need tore a hole through sense, awareness. She only knew the stroke of his hand, the heated thrust of his tongue. He pressed harder, faster. Her body bowed, head falling back, and his arm slid beneath her shoulders, lifting her, capturing her nipple in his mouth. Delicious suction joined the quickening movement of his hand, leaving her writhing.
    David’s pleasured moan reverberated against her breast. Her excitement seemed to feed his, hand rubbing more urgently over her clitoris, drawing out her helpless cries. No finesse, only hunger. She was almost there. Almost there.
    “Inside me,” she gasped. “Your fingers. Please.”
    His hand slowed. “Do you have any women’s oil?”
    Any what? She couldn’t think. “Women’s oil?”
    “To make it easier. My hands are big. I don’t want to hurt you.”
    She finally understood. “I’m wet enough. Feel.”
    His muscles stiff with tension, his middle finger slid between her slick folds. His tortured groan matched hers. “You are. God, you are.”
    How could she not be? Never had she been this aroused, this desperate for release. Her body shook with anticipation, with need. The thick glide of his finger paused for an eternity at her opening. Annika whimpered in frustration, raised her hips, trying to urge him in.
    Gently, he penetrated her. She cried out as her body clamped around him, as a shock wave of pleasure rode outward, rocking her against his hand, drawing him deeper.
    “Christ.” He cursed through gritted teeth. “Good Christ.”
    His mouth came down on her breast again, sucking her nipple to a burning point, the thrust of his hand and the rubbing of his thumb sending her flying, flying. Her body locked, shuddered. Her scream caught in her throat, emerging in short, breathless burststhat echoed the clench of her flesh around him. He continued thrusting, rubbing, until she had to push his hand away—it was too much. Too much.
    But so wonderful.
    His chest heaving, David sat up, drew her over him. Her hands cupping his jaw, Annika kissed him hard, delirious with pleasure, her body warm and liquid. The rivets loosened, for a short time. She wondered how long it would be until they tightened again.
    She hoped not long. “You, now. Let me touch you.”
    He became utterly still. What was he thinking? She couldn’t tell—and she’d have given anything to see his expression now. After a long moment, he nodded stiffly against her hands.
    She was still unsure. Was he only agreeing to please her? “Do you want me to?”
    “God, Annika. So much. But not out of obligation.”
    Spoken harshly, there was no mistaking the longing, the need. She smiled against his lips and reached between them. “This isn’t a trade. I’d want this even if you never touched me. But after you did, I was greedy and wanted to go first.”
    He tensed again as she deftly unbuckled his trousers. “And now?”
    “Still greedy.”
    She wanted to see his face as she gripped his heavy length with both hands, but his short, shuddering breath gave her enough. His head fell back. She kissed her way down his throat, longing for his mouth, but greedy to hear the sounds he