Page 61 of Expecting Royal Twins!
She wanted to be his, but she also wanted him to be hers.
Izzy’s fingers fumbled as she undid the last button. She brushed his shirt open, her hands grazing his warm skin. Tingles pulsed up her arms.
A key on a silver chain hung around his neck. The key to the bride box.
Izzy fingered it. “You’re still wearing it.”
“Not anymore.” He pulled the chain over his head and gave her the necklace. “The bride box is on the table next to the champagne. It belongs to you, my wife, once again.”
She held the key. The bride box and its missing key had enabled Dee to force them together. But she didn’t want to think about those things right now. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” His gaze practically caressed. “Now toss the key on the floor so we can get back to what we were doing.”
Izzy did.
Inching closer on her knees, she pushed the shirt over his broad shoulders and down his strong arms, arms that had carried her so effortlessly across the threshold as if she weighed nothing.
Her pulse skittered.
Izzy stared at his bare chest and tight abs in awe and admiration. She wanted to memorize everything about him. His arms, chest and back showed the scars of war from his time as a soldier. Like the ribbons and medals he’d worn earlier, these were his badges of honor. He’d fought to protect Vernonia. She had no doubt he would fight to protect her. A dizzying current of desire traveled through her.
She touched his chest, tracing the length of a scar running from his shoulder to his waist. At the end of it, she opened her palm over his ribs, her thumb rubbing another, smaller scar under his sternum.
He drew in a sharp breath.
She pulled her hand back. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do next.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. It’s my turn.” Niko raised her hand to his mouth and kissed each of her fingers. “You’re overdressed.”
He reached for the strap of her nightgown.
“The lights?”
With a swoop of his arms, Niko lifted her off the foot of the bed and carried her toward the head of the bed. He set her on her feet so she was standing right in front of him.
He bent over and pressed a button on the nightstand. The lights went off, but the candles around the room provided a romantic glow. “More comfortable now?”
Izzy nodded, feeling shy. She was not like the other women in his life, the polished, beautiful princesses and models he must have dated.
He pushed the straps of her nightgown off her shoulders and down her arms. Izzy’s cheeks warmed. The gown fell to the floor, leaving her exposed to his view.
Slowly his gaze raked over her. Appreciative. Seductive. Possessive.
Her heart jolted.
“You are stunning. Enchanting.” His hands moved over her body. Shivers of delight followed his touch. “Captivating.”
His words melted her insides.
He ran his finger along the curve of her hip. “No lacy thong.”
“I thought it, um, might get in the way.”
“Fast learner.”
“When it comes to some things.” She winked, feeling more brazen. “Kiss me.”
His lips captured hers again. This time with urgency and need. He needed her. The realization made Izzy’s heart sing. She returned his kisses with reckless abandon.
There was no turning back. She wanted him.
As they kissed, he placed her hands on the waistband of his pants.
Excited, nervous, her fingers undid the hook, but fumbled with the button the same way they had with his shirt. Finally she got it and his zipper. He stepped out of his pants and briefs.
Izzy cast her gaze downward. Oh, my. She swallowed. Hard.
Her fingers reached out and gently touched him.
He inhaled sharply again. Captured her hand before easing her onto the mattress. Her head rested against a pillow.
He climbed onto the bed, the mattress dipping under his weight. As he lay over her, his hair fell forward, the long ends teasing her skin like a feather. The tantalizing scent of him surrounded her. He lowered his head until his lips brushed hers.
Each touch, each kiss, each brush of his body sent shivers of pleasure radiating outward. He made her feel so desired, so sexy. She wanted to make him feel the same.
