Wildest Hearts

has gone far enough.”

    “We haven't even begun.”

    “The hell we haven't.” Oliver tore his hands free of the silk ties that had bound him to the bed. He reached for Annie.

    She did not attempt to draw back as his hands closed around her arms. There was no fear in her, only an unmistakable gleam of triumph in her eyes. Oliver ignored it as he rolled her onto her back and covered her body with his own. Nothing else mattered now except sheathing himself inside her.

    “Sweet witch.” Oliver reached down between their bodies and yanked at the scrap of black satin that barred his way. “What have you done to me?” Her panties were damp, he realized. She was ready for him.

    The panties tore in his hands. Startled by the sound of rending silk, Oliver stopped fumbling with the scrap of fabric. He grabbed Annie's knees, lifting them, pressing her thighs open. His fingers brushed against her inviting warmth, parting her.

    “God, yes.” He plunged into her, driving himself to the hilt in one long, heavy stroke.

    Annie gasped at the invasion. Oliver was shocked back into full awareness. He knew at once that although she was moist, she wasn't anywhere near the point of release. He was way ahead of her, almost to the edge.

    Dismay collided with passion as Oliver realized he could not muster enough control to last long enough for a second stroke.

    It was all over in an instant. His scorching climax swept through him like a firestorm, hot and ungovernable.

    He was out of control.

    * * *

    Oliver roused himself a long time later. He pushed himself up on his elbows and looked down at Annie. She smiled tentatively. In the cold light of his returning sanity and self-control, Oliver saw the wariness in her eyes.

    Oliver touched her cheek. “Is that what it's like for you?”

    “I don't know.” She searched his eyes. “How did it feel?”

    “Intense.” He thought about it. “Good, but not good enough.”

    “Why not?”

    “You weren't with me.”

    “That's how it feels when you make love to me, Oliver. It's an incredibly erotic experience, but I feel like I'm going through it by myself. It's as if you're always holding back, watching me.”

    “Pulling the strings?”

    “Yes.”

    “Hell.” Oliver eased himself from Annie's body and rolled onto his back beside her. He was grimly aware that she had not found her satisfaction. “If you'd let me stay in charge, we both would be in the same condition now.”

    “No, we wouldn't. You'd still be exercising that amazing self-discipline of yours. You'd make me come two or three more times before you'd allow yourself to finish.”

    Oliver slanted her a sidelong glance. “Imake you come?”

    “Well, yes. That's what it feels like.” Annie turned onto her side, folded her arms on top of his chest, and gazed soberly down at him. “Over and over again. As often as you want. I've never felt so helpless in my life as I am when you make love to me.”

    “And you don't like feeling helpless in my arms, is that it?”

    “You don't understand. Sometimes it feels great to be helpless. But not all the time. I need to know that I have as much power over you as you do over me.”

    “This is about power?”

    “In a way. I want us to be equals in this, Oliver. After all, we're lovers, right?”

    “Damn right.”

    “Well, then, sex should be something we share, not a contest of wills.”

    “I didn't realize you saw it as a contest of wills.”

    Annie smiled. “I know. You just wanted to please me. I appreciate it, Oliver. Honest, I do. But I want to know that I can please you, too. Don't you understand?”

    He studied her intently. “I think I'm beginning to figure out what's going on here.”

    Disappointment welled up in her eyes. “And you don't like it, do you?”

    “I didn't say that.” He threaded his fingers through her wild curls. “It's just that the basic concepts are new to me. You've got to give me time to make adjustments.”

    Annie brightened. “Don't worry, I will. All the time you want, Oliver. I promise.”

    “Thank you. I'll do my best to get it right.” He slid his hand down over her hip and buried his fingers in the triangle of honey-colored curls that shielded her softness.

    “Oliver?”

    “If we're going to try for a more egalitarian approach to lovemaking, we both have to start off on an equal footing. Don't you agree?”

    “I suppose so.” Annie shivered delightfully as his fingers found her.

    “We want