he choked out the word, “it was because I was aroused by you, the real you.” “Thank God,” she said on a sigh. “I was so afraid I wouldn’t live up to the woman in your dreams.” “Trust me, sweetheart, you have no worries on that score.” “You were pretty spectacular yourself,” she purred. Desire speared through his belly but he tamped it down, albeit with great reluctance. After a year of celibacy, his body was more than willing to go another round, but they’d already made love twice and it was well after midnight. A good night’s sleep was in order for both of them, though he doubted they’d make it to morning without being disturbed by Rachel’s nightmare. She mumbled something unintelligible when he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and told her good-night, and within minutes she was fast asleep. Nic closed his eyes and quickly followed suit just as a clock somewhere downstairs chimed the hour before going silent again. *** A delicious warmth ran along the length of her body, a warmth that sank into her skin and made her tingle all over when she opened her eyes to find Nic watching her. There was no need to ask what he was thinking; the answer was evident in the look of raw hunger on his handsome face and the throbbing erection that was pressing into her belly. Rachel curled her arms around his neck and pulled his mouth down onto hers, already so aroused that Nic groaned when his hand slipped between her thighs and discovered she was more than ready for him. It was different this time, even better than the night before because she could see his face and admire his sleek muscles as he levered himself over her. She’d never made love with her eyes open before, mostly because her partner either had his eyes glued to her breasts or he was concentrating so hard on getting himself off his face was red and contorted, and it always left her wondering why she’d found him attractive to begin with. But it wasn’t like that with Nic. His dark eyes locked with hers, drawing her into their depths, making the connection she felt with him so much more than physical. Oh, she wasn’t foolish enough to think she was in love with him, but she was falling fast and hard and knew it wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge. Besides being a phenomenal lover, Nic was thoughtful and kind, and the fact that he seemed so oblivious to his own giving nature only made Rachel adore him even more. While she’d been indulging herself by lounging in bed after they’d made love, Nic had dashed downstairs and returned a short time later carrying a breakfast tray. “I hope you like your breakfast a la carte,”
