Lori Connelly - The Lawman of Silver Creek:

“But I think–”

“Don’t.” Her hand snaked up his chest, over his collarbone to curve over the back of his neck. “Just kiss me again.”

“But–”

With her mouth, she silenced him. Matt made no further objection. His fingers worked with swift efficiency. Her top soon gapped open and the heat of his hands burned through her thin chemise to knead her sensitive flesh.

Impatiently, Claire tugged his shirt free of his pants then off his shoulders. She tossed it away. Her hands roamed over tanned skin. He growled low in his throat.

Pleased at his response, Claire pulled back. She wanted to draw this out. His hands tightened as if reluctant to release her but after a moment, he did.

Her gaze locked on him, she stepped back. Sweat glistened on his skin. The sound of ragged breathing filled the room.

“Claire I … ” His voice trailed off as she took another step so that she stood by a chair, the fire behind her. Matt shook his head a dazed look on his face. “I got carried away.”

Silent, she let her gaze wander, over his heaving chest, his stomach, down past the waistband of his denims then slowly back up to look him in the eye.

Voice ragged, his hands curled to fists. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m…” She paused. Her fingers went to the open neck of her shirt, and started releasing the last few buttons. “Not.”

With slow, deliberate movements, she eased the fabric down first one arm then the other. Claire pulled her top free. Matt sucked in an audible breath. She smiled and let her clothing slip off, dropping to the floor.

Her hands went to the back of her waist, to the fastening of her brown skirt. His gaze dropped to her chest as though he couldn’t help himself when her action thrust it forward. When he looked back up, the hunger in his gaze made her tremble. He started to move toward her but stopped at the shake of her head.

“Claire,” he groaned when a second later her skirt fell to her feet.

Bathed in firelight, clad only in her undergarments, Claire knew she made an enticing image. Her smile broadened. Slowly she reached up and hooked her fingers around the thin straps of her chemise, intending to drive him wild.

“Claire stop,” he warned his tone low and dangerous.

Straps fell off her shoulders. “Why?”

“Because if you-”

“If I what?” She eased one arm free.

“Claire.”

She pulled her other arm out. One hand held the thin white cotton barely in place. “Yes Matthew.”

“If you remove one more thing, I’ll snatch you up and take you to my bed.”

Fabric fell about her waist, her breasts bare. “Promise?”

Matt moved as swiftly as the lightening that had crossed the sky. His arms wrapped around her, holding her tight against him, bare chest to bare chest. His mouth hovered above hers. She felt his hot breath on her lips.

Anticipation heightened the tension between them. Her heart thundered. Seconds passed. Then, as he’d warned, Matt swept her up into his arms. A few long strides carried them out of the main room and into a small bedroom.

Matt didn’t pause to shut the door. He crossed over to the narrow bed, sat on the covers then twisted around, pressing her down so that she lay on her back, half underneath him. Skin to skin, the heat generated between them set her nerves on fire. His mouth descended, plundering hers. One hand was braced to keep his weight from crushing her while the other roamed her body, over her hip, ribs, to cup her bare breast.

His lips left hers to rain swift open-mouthed kisses down the side of her neck. A low moan escaped her lips when his thumb skimmed over her sensitive peak. Claire tensed. Matt shifted to look into her eyes, studied her for a heart pounding second then he dipped his head. His mouth captured her nipple, sucking hard.

Pleasure shot through Claire. His tongue teased her while his hand caressed her skin. She gasped. Her fingers wove through the hair at the back of his head and held him close. His hand moved to her other breast, creating sweet torture. An aching need grew swiftly until it reached unbearable heights.

“Please.” Her desire fierce; she begged.

Matt broke off his attentions. His hand came up to trace the contours of her face. She stared up at him, entranced. A second felt like forever then he shifted, kissing her mouth softly, gently, unexpectedly.

His lips lingered for several seconds. She made a quiet, inarticulate sound as expectation surpassed her tolerance. In response, he changed the pace again. His mouth found her breast while his hand tugged at what was left of her clothing. Claire mimicked him, reaching down for the fastening of his pants. Rough, impatient, awkward movements soon rendered the couple nude.

Matt eased onto his side, facing her, his body hard against her soft flesh. Curious, Claire’s gaze roamed over his full length then returned to meet his. Her lips parted. Before she could speak, his mouth swooped down, taking thorough possession of hers.

Her fingers dug into his muscled thigh while his tongue danced with hers. He pressed against Claire until he all but covered her. She writhed against him, passion clouding her thoughts. Matt broke off their kiss, his mouth moved over her skin, tasting her. He nibbled beneath her ear, licking from the hollow of her throat to the skin between her breasts.

Claire gasped. His hand grabbed hers and placed it on his hardness. Excited and eager, she pressed her mouth to his and stroked his shaft. Instantly his body went rigid. He pulled back, breaking off the kiss. His gaze locking on hers, he reached down and captured her wrist. Their labored breathing sounded loud and harsh in the otherwise quiet cabin.

“Are you sure?” His tone was guttural.

Despite his grip, she managed another touch. “Very.”

With a low growl, Matt removed her hand and parted her thighs. His fingers stroked over her curls. He kissed behind her ear, tracing along her jaw and then spread his open-mouthed kisses down her neck, over her collarbone. Persistent. Relentless. He continued his sweet onslaught until she couldn’t bear it anymore.

“Please,” she breathed.

Her plea brought an immediate response. Matt moved, settling between her legs. Hardness rubbed against her wet folds, driving her wild. Claire arched her hips. Raw, animal-like sounds escaped her until he captured her mouth once more.

Need consumed her. She tore her lips from his, desperately begging him. The same single word repeated with every gasping breath.

Please.

Matt ignored her. His fingers played with her breast. He moved down, working his tongue around her nipple. Her head whipped side to side. She whimpered. His mouth closed over her, suckling.

White-hot excitement shot through her. Incoherent, Claire struggled, frantic, torn between wanting him to stop and needing him to continue lavishing pleasure on her. Nothing existed for her, but him.

Matt pressed against her entrance. Sensations overwhelmed her as he slid inside her an inch at a time. Her hands slid down over his ribs, grabbing his hips. She tried to hasten his pace, but he resisted. He continued moving so slowly that Claire thought she’d go insane. Then he hit her barrier and stopped.

“Please Matthew.” Her voice was raw, almost a scream.

His gaze locked on hers. “I love you.”

With an expression so intense that it bordered upon pain, Matt buried himself within her. She tensed as pain swirled with pleasure. Slowly, tenderly, he continued making love to her. Her need soon built again, overcoming everything else. She started arching against him, driven by a bone-deep ache.