was her only warning before he pressed a trail of hot kisses along her ribs and the soft swell of her belly.
“Nothing.” She wriggled, trying to hold in the giggle as he found all her ticklish spots. But he held her still, a chuckle deep in his throat, kissing her ruthlessly until she cracked and laughed, pushing at the wide expanse of his shoulders.
“I was just thinking I failed the cougar test.”
“Hmmm, test?” Her dress dropped to the floor around her ankles. Still kneeling in front of her, he helped her step free of the fabric and scooped it out of the way. “What test?”
His hands swept up the outside of her legs, pausing for a moment to caress behind her knees with strong fingers. Pleasure surged through her, another wave of liquid heat escaping her. She gasped, clutching at his shoulder for support this time, instead of pushing him away.
“The cougar test,” she explained, pushing her hair over her shoulder. “Because I’m older than you…”
He stayed where he was, on his knees, looking up to search her face. “Sweetheart, you’re way too young to be a cougar. Age is just a number.”
His hands reached her hips, his fingers curling under the narrow straps of her panties. Holding her gaze with his, he pulled them down inch by slow inch. The lace and satin slid over her hips, pulled taut for a second, then loosened as he pulled further, and they dropped around her thighs. Without his prompt, she parted her legs, lifting one foot, and then the other to let him pull the panties free. They disappeared over his shoulder and finally, he swept his gaze across her body again.
Her breathing stuttered, halting, then starting up again, hard and fast, as his gaze lingered on her bust, still showcased by the pretty satin and lace bra she’d picked out for tonight. Just in case.
Oh, who was she trying to kid? She’d hoped this would happen. In the locked away area deep in her mind, she’d thought about the possibility for months.
“That needs to go as well.” His voice was soft, but he didn’t make a move to undo the bra. Emboldened by his reactions to her body, she reached up and unsnapped it, one arm folded to hold the fabric in place for a second.
“Lose it…please?” he urged, hands on her hips, palms warm as he spread his fingers. Lord, his hands were so big. His skin so rough. She shivered.
She dropped her arm, sliding the straps away and letting the bra drop to the floor. At his deep groan of appreciation, she arched her back, her breasts firming and tightening under his gaze. He moved, sliding his hands up the side of her waist and around. He easily engulfed each breast in his big palms. She closed her eyes in pleasure. He didn’t need a second invite. Surging into movement, he stood, one arm sliding around her waist as he caressed her. Soft. Gentle. His fingers closed around her nipple and gave a small tweak. She gasped, fire arching from her nipple straight to her pussy, and she melted against him.
“Hell, Ashley. You’re killing me here. I’ve wanted to do this for months.” He swooped in and claimed her mouth again. His tongue parted her lips with a hard sweep and drove inside, thrusting in as he shoved his hips against hers—a dual assault that scattered her senses.
Without breaking the kiss, he eased her backward, using his strong body as a cage to lower her to the bed. She clung to him, reveling in the strength he used with such gentleness. The slight brush of his knee parted her thighs, and she sighed as he settled between them, still kissing her. His arms bracketed her, holding him above her. With the immense upper-body strength he had, she knew he’d never crush her. In fact, he was treating her like she was made of fine china, something delicate that he was worried about breaking.
A devil of temptation urging her on, she parted her lips wider, sliding her tongue around and against his. Teasing him this time as he’d teased her earlier. He growled in response, the