Breathing in the arousing scent of Nick’s raw masculinity, Eva shoved his T-shirt up to his neck, determined to lick the salty sweat from his heaving chest.
She never got there. He took charge, gripping her head and capturing her mouth in a searing kiss. He dived deep, demanding everything she had to give. She willingly gave it, wrapping one leg around his thigh and welcoming the urgent thrust of his hips.
He let up only long enough to pull off her shirt and his. Then he was back, his tongue in her mouth and his big calloused hands… everywhere.
In seconds her bra joined the two shirts on the floor. She toed off her boots while he unzipped her jeans. She’d never been stripped so fast or been so eager to return the favor.
He didn’t give her the chance. She’d only managed to unfasten his belt when he picked her up and deposited her gently on the clothes he’d strewn on the attic floor.
Straddling her, he held her wrists captive as he delved into her mouth, kissing her with an intensity that made her dizzy with wanting him. She struggled against his restraint.
He lifted his lips a fraction from hers. “Stop.”
“Then take off your jeans.”
“No.”
“I want to touch you.”
He gulped for air. “Next time.” He nuzzled the hollow of her neck, lapping at the sweat pooling there. His and hers. It fell like raindrops from his brow as he moved lower, catching her nipple in his teeth, rolling it between his tongue and the roof of his mouth.
She moaned and arched upward, wanting more. And he responded, drawing her breast into his hungry mouth and sucking until her core tightened and her hips shifted restlessly against the hard attic floor.
Releasing her wrists, he threaded his fingers through hers as he continued to make love to her breasts. She could slip her hands free, but she no longer wanted to. Holding hands created a tender link between them as he kissed his way down her sweat-slick body, his damp chest hair brushing her sensitized skin.
Inch by inch, he shifted his position downward. Her aching need intensified with every passing second. Please. She trembled with anticipation.
At last he slid his fingers free and cupped his hands under her bottom. Her heartbeat thrummed in her ears and she dragged in air.
Wedging his broad shoulders between her thighs, he lifted her hips, his breath hot against her moist center. Slowly, with devastating accuracy, he bestowed the kiss she’d longed for. The press of his lips and the swipe of his tongue brought a moan of pleasure. Desperate for release, she thrust her fingers into his wet hair.
He bore down, his talented tongue doing all the right things as the spring tightened within her core. She pressed her fingertips into his scalp and began to pant.
The first wave rolled through her and she cried out. The second wave was stronger. With the third, she shouted his name and arched her back, glorying in the race to the ultimate triumph… there, there. Now.
Her orgasm arrived with such force that she almost blacked out. Spasms rocked her body again and again as he held her tight, stayed with her, prolonged the pleasure.
Gradually the waves receded, leaving her more relaxed than she’d ever been in her life. She cleared her throat. “That…was unexpected.”
His chuckle was low and intimate. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Clearly I need to tape more mirrors.”
“Only if you’ll let me help.” The denim of his jeans rustled as he shifted position and straddled her again. He braced himself on his forearms, his smile lighting his eyes. “That was big fun.”
“But a little one-sided.”
“Ask me if I care.” His gaze roamed her face and breasts. “It’s reward enough to see you like this.”
She grinned. “A total wreck?”
“A beautiful, sensual, wreck. Your eyes are glowing. Your skin, too.” He trailed a finger over her cheek. “I’ll never forget how you look right now.”
She caught his hand and kissed his palm. “It’s all your fault. I tried to control myself. Then I just snapped.”
“How’s that possible? I’m filthy and I stink. I can’t imagine what—”
“This is a first for me, FYI.”
“Having sex in a hot dusty attic? Same here.”
“That, too. But this is the first time I’ve turned into a maniac because of the way a man smelled. I’ve heard friends say that their guy’s body odor turns them on. I thought they were kidding.”
His eyes widened. “Are you telling me you like the way I smell?”
“I don’t just like it.” She scratched her fingernails down his furred chest. “It gets me hot. Ravenous.”
His eyes darkened. “Noticed that. And once you lost it, I lost it.”
She smiled. “Noticed that.”
“I couldn’t have stopped if someone had turned a fire hose on me. I was out of my mind.”
“Not totally. You wouldn’t let me—”
“I didn’t dare unzip. I might’ve done something stupid.”
“Instead you did something amazing. And generous. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Anytime you want to be tossed down naked on a dusty attic floor and ravished, let me know. I hope you don’t end up with splinters.”
“I won’t. I’m lying on clothes. Mostly. Besides, the ravishing was worth a splinter or two.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“I suppose it’s time for me to move, but I’m boneless right now. I don’t feel like putting on my clothes, either. What I want is a shower and a clean outfit.”
“Want me to carry you down to your bedroom so you can get started?”
She laughed. “That’s hardly necessary.”
“I want to. It appeals to me.”
“The stairway is narrow. Carrying me down there wouldn’t work very well.”
“Yes, it would.” He pushed himself to his feet. “I’m the one who made you wobbly so I’m the one who should get you downstairs. I’ll use the fireman’s carry.”
“Is that the one where I’d be hanging upside down over your shoulder?”
“Yes, ma’am. Ever tried it?”
“Heavens, no! I haven’t been carried anywhere since I was four, let alone while I was ass over teakettle.”
“It’s fun. I’ve practiced with the Brotherhood lots of times. We can all carry each other except I’m the only one who can carry Rafe.”
“I’m slightly smaller and lighter than Rafe.” Maybe it would be fun, at that.
“You’ll be like a feather. And you’d like it.”
“How do you know?”
“It’s a chance to let yourself go, let something happen without trying to control it.”
“Like an orgasm?”
“Well, it’s not that good. But hanging upside down helps your brain. Gets the blood circulating better.”
“You sold me. I’m in. What should I do?”
“Nothing. Roll over on your stomach. Go limp.”
She stretched out and rolled over. “I’m already limp.”
“See? This is the perfect time to try it.”
“Should I close my eyes?”
“Up to you.”
“I’m closing them. I’ll pretend you’re hauling me back to your cave to ravish me again.”
“Wish I could. But I have stones to dig.” He slid his hands under her armpits.
“I wondered if you’d forgotten about those.”
“No, ma’am.” He took a deep breath and let it out. “Up you go.” He lifted her parallel to his body and put his knee between her thighs.
The balance shifted as he crouched, grasping her wrist with one hand and her thigh with the other. When he stood, she was perfectly balanced on his broad shoulders.
He wasn’t even breathing hard. “How’re you doing?”
“This is freaky. The blood’s rushing to my head. How’re you doing?”
“My blood’s rushing somewhere else. This is nothing like carrying one of the guys. I just made the mistake of looking at you in the mirror.”
“Which side?”
“This side.” He squeezed her bottom.
“It was your idea.”
“I know. Could get me in trouble.” He nuzzled her hip. “You taste as good as you look.”
“Want to put me down?”
“Not yet. We’re moving out.”
“Watch your head.”
“Thanks.”
Eyes closed, breasts tucked against his muscled back, she breathed in his manly scent. “I’m getting hot.”
“Which kind?”
“The ravenous kind.”
His breath hitched. “Might have to do something about that when we get down the stairs.”
“What about digging up stones?”
“Might have to wait.” He started down the stairs, going slow.
With each step, she bounced slightly. By the third one, she’d started giggling.
“What?”
“This is ridiculous.” She laughed harder. “I can’t believe I let you throw me over your shoulder like a sack of potatoes with my bare ass in the air. What must that look like?”
“I know exactly what it looks like.” His voice was a low growl of frustration. “I’ll thank you not to remind me.”
“Jeans a little tight, are they?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He gave her a light pinch. “Getting hot, you say?”
She giggled. “Put me down, crazy man!”
“We’re almost there. Two more steps. Then we’ll—”
“Eva?” Fiona’s voice drifted up from the first floor. “You upstairs? I saw you got the trunk open! Is that somebody’s wedding dress?”
She froze. “Hey, Fiona! Yep, it’s a wedding dress.” Her voice sounded like it was coming from a woman hanging upside down over a muscular man’s shoulder. “I’ll be down in a sec. I was helping Nick in the attic and I… split the seam of my jeans. Be right there.”
Nick descended the last two steps, leaned over and set her on her feet.
She reached up and pulled his head down. “Please go entertain her,” she murmured.
“Shirtless?” he mouthed back.
“Get your shirt, then go. Please. I need a few minutes.”
He nodded and she scurried into her bedroom. Then she quietly closed her bedroom door and clapped a hand over her mouth to smother a laugh.
Holy hell in a handbasket. If she planned to continue carrying on with Nick, she’d have to start locking her front door.