Page 75 of Dark Awakening: Hidden Currents

"I love you."

Jasmine pressed a soft kiss to his chest. "I love you too."

53

ELL-ROM

The dim light of the bedside lamp cast a warm glow across Jasmine's features, enhancing her natural beauty.

Ell-rom was captivated by the smallest details—the curve of her lips, the flecks of gold in her eyes, the way her rich hair splayed across the pillow like a dark halo.

He wanted her, but he didn't know what his next move should be.

"What are you thinking about?" Jasmine's voice cut through the comfortable silence that had settled over them.

Ell-rom smiled, his hand moving to cup her cheek. "I'm thinking about how beautiful you are."

"You're not so bad yourself." Jasmine's fingers traced the line of his jaw.

He chuckled, leaning into her touch. "I'm glad." He cupped her cheeks and kissed her softly.

She melted into the kiss, kissing him back for all he was worth.

As their kiss grew more passionate, his hands roamed with increasing boldness. Ell-rom reveled in the quiet sounds of pleasure Jasmine made as he explored her body over the thin fabric of her nightdress.

Brushing his fingertips over the hardened tips of her nipples, he let go of her mouth and leaned away to look at her generous breasts, or rather their outline, which was clearly visible through the flimsy fabric.

Would she want him to kiss them? Suck on them?

The way her lips parted in breathless anticipation indicated that was precisely what she wanted him to do.

When he started peeling the first spaghetti strap off her shoulder, her breathing got heavier, and when he was done with the second one, he peeled the fabric down to expose his objects of desire.

When she pushed the garment off the rest of the way, he lowered his head and took one nipple into his mouth, sucking and licking on it until she cupped the back of his head and guided it to the other.

He was so hard that he considered reaching into his loose pants and gripping his erection, but she must have realized his predicament and did that for him.

Her hand was so warm and so confident, applying just the right amount of pressure, and as he marveled at her skill, he was forced to acknowledge that it was born of a lot of experience.

A wave of scorching jealousy surged through him.

Jasmine gasped, and her grip on his shaft loosened. "Was I hurting you?"

He realized with a start that it had been he who was hurting her, and he let go of her abused nipple. "I'm sorry." He gently licked the hurt away. "I didn't mean to suck so hard."

She chuckled. "It's okay. I don't mind a little pain with my pleasure. I just thought that I was hurting you."

"You weren't."

"In that case…" Her grip tightened around his length. "I like the way you feel. Velvet over steel."

"I like the way you feel, too." He reached with his finger to touch her over her panties. "You're so wet," he whispered. "Can I kiss you here too?"

Smiling with hooded eyes, she let go of his erection, turned on her back, and removed her panties. "Yes, please."

When he got to his knees between her legs and leaned forward, she moaned before his lips even made contact with her core, and when he kissed her, she arched her back.

The scent of her was intoxicating, and Ell-rom felt lightheaded.