Raven's Prey

been aware of its existence from the start. And so had Judd, she decided. So had Judd. He wasn’t as cold and unfeeling as she had accused him of being.
    No man who was truly cold and unfeeling could be generating this level of sensual tension within her. On that thought her mouth opened under the impact of his and she heard the low groan of desire that came from deep in his chest.
    As his tongue hungrily invaded the territory behind her lips Judd released her hands, which he had been holding captive behind her back. Shakily Honor moved her fingers to splay them against his bard chest and she moaned softly.
    “Judd, oh, Judd…!”
    “Hush, Honor. You wouldn’t talk to me earlier and it’s too late now.” He used his teeth in an incredibly gentle, amazingly erotic caress against her throat and when she cried out in a tiny voice he slid his palms down the length of her back.
    She felt her lower body being arched into his and shivered. There could be no doubt that he was aroused and waiting for her. The suddenness of his response brought to life another flicker of panic as Honor sensed her inability to control die situation and she pushed at his chest in an awkward protest. –
    “Don’t fight me, Honor,” he half pleaded, half ordered. “Put your arms around me and stop fighting me. Can’t you see that I have to have you tonight?”
    Before she could find an answer to that age-old question there was a good-natured hail from across the street as two of the cantina’s patrons went past on their way home. Judd reluctantly lifted his head. The men asked him a quick, laughing question and he responded in the negative. Then he scooped Honor up in his arms and prodded open the door to her cottage with his foot
    “What did they say?” she asked uncertainly as he kicked the door shut behind him. “Something about waiting?”
    “They asked if I couldn’t wait until I could find a mattress on which to put you,” he explained huskily. “I told them it would be very hard to wait even that long!”
    “Judd!” She knew she was turning a dull shade of red and was grateful for the surrounding shadows.
    “It’s true,” he told her heavily, carrying her across to the small cot. “I think I began wanting you when I was hunting you, pretending to be after my runaway wife. I knew for certain that I wanted you after that first night when you pulled die gun on me. Why do you think I’ve been willing to spend four extra days in this godforsaken village?”
    She watched him in the moonlight as he settled her down on the cot and then sat down beside her. He meant [_it. _]He truly did feel something very strong for her. She could see it in the rigid cast of his features and in the hooded depths of his dark eyes. His ringers trembled slightly as they reached out to curve around the base of her throat.
    Slowly he drew his hand from her throat down to the first button of her shirt. Honor lay perfectly still, her eyes never leaving his face as he undid the fastening.
    “I don’t know” she whispered huskily. “I’m not sure if this is the right way for us. But, oh, God! I don’t know of any other way to find out what you really feel for me!” She caught hold of his fingers, staying them as they would have wandered down to the next button. Her eyes were wide with anxiety and the beginning flames of desire.
    “Honor, I’m not much good with words. I’ve never been good with words. Let me show you how badly I want you. I need you tonight. Dear Lord! How I need you!”
    He bent over her, feasting once more on her mouth. Gently he withdrew his hand from her restraining grip and finished unbuttoning the shirt she wore. He pushed aside the edges of the fabric and flattened his palm on her bare stomach.
    “Oh, Judd.” She sighed, lifting her arms to circle his neck. “I don’t understand you. Not completely. But tonight—”
    “Tonight doesn’t need words,” he muttered thickly against her mouth. “Just touch me, honey. I want you to touch me. I’m aching for you!”
    His palm moved up from her stomach and shaped her breast. Honor heard his indrawn breath of satisfaction as the nipple beneath his hand instantly began to tighten. She hadn’t worn a bra since she’d arrived in Mexico. The heat made such a garment uncomfortable. But the lack of it tonight left her feeling very vulnerable.
    Or was it simply that Judd Raven’s touch made her feel vulnerable? Whatever the reasons, they was no denying that her body