By Request Collection Part 3. Robyn Donald

      He circled before her, tall in his exquisite finery while she wore nothing but stay-up stockings. She felt vulnerable, especially before his magnificent height.

      ‘You’re stunning.’ The thickening timbre of his voice splintered her thoughts. ‘Let me look at you.’

      The avid glitter in his eyes, the way his nostrils flared as if to drag in oxygen, spoke of a man at the edge of control. She felt his hands tremble as he took hers. He swallowed jerkily and tendons stood out in his neck.

      She’d never been naked before a man. Embarrassed heat flushed her skin. But with it came a buzz of excitement, a rising sense of power.

      For Raul looked … enthralled.

      Again he swallowed and she saw the rapid pulse in his throat. It mirrored her heartbeat.

      He looked like a starving man before a feast, not sure where to begin. She felt again that stirring of power.

      With a visible effort he dragged his gaze up. His eyes had a strange unfocused look. Slowly he shook his head. He released her and stepped back.

      ‘You were a virgin. You’ll be sore. I shouldn’t …’

      She didn’t feel sore. Not much. She felt wonderful. Because he wanted her as she wanted him? Or because he cared enough to hold back? To put her needs first.

      She hugged the knowledge close. It was a small thing but it felt significant.

      When he gently scooped her in his arms Luisa curled into him. She delighted in the steady thump of his heart as he carried her to the bathroom.

      Minutes later she sank back with a sigh in warm scented water. It was bliss on the gentle ache of muscles.

      Under lowered lashes she watched Raul strip off his jacket, roll up the sleeves of his collarless shirt and reach for a large sponge. Anticipation zinged through her.

      His swirling touch with the sponge was impossibly erotic.

      She gripped the massive tub rather than reach up to brush back the dark lock tumbling over his forehead. He tended her so gently. As if she were precious.

      Sweat sheened his face. It trickled down his throat and she wanted to slide her hand along his skin. But his taut frown and grim mouth deterred her.

      Until she noticed the bulge in his trousers. No wonder he looked in pain. No wonder his big capable hands shook so badly he’d dropped the soap more than once.

      The knowledge set every nerve ablaze.

      ‘I’m getting out.’ Luisa struggled to rise.

      ‘Wait!’ Heedless of the water, Raul hauled her out with an ease that reminded her of the power hidden under his clothes. She sank into him, spreading her hands over his saturated shirt and muscled chest.

      ‘You need rest.’ His jaw set hard as if with strain.

      ‘That’s not what I need.’ She tilted her chin and met his gaze. ‘I need you.’

      There, she’d said it and the world hadn’t collapsed around her! In fact it felt good.

      ‘Now.’ Her fingers curled tight in his sodden shirt. She raised herself on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his.

      In a flurry of urgent movement he lifted her, strode out and laid her on the bed. Seconds later he’d ripped his shirt open and shrugged it off. Luisa’s pulse rocketed as she took in his sculpted torso with its smattering of dark hair. His hands went to his trousers as he heeled off his shoes. A moment later he stood naked and imposing.

      She forgot to breathe as she surveyed his perfect form, felt the power radiating from him. Then thought ended as he joined her. He was like a furnace, burning hot.

      He touched her all over, palms smooth, fingers teasing. He skimmed and stroked and even tickled till she squirmed and tried to reciprocate. But he held her, his thigh clamped her still, his hands capturing her wrists.

      The torture began as he used his lips, tongue and teeth on her body. Minutes turned into an aeon of pleasure.

      It was as if he tried to compensate for the speed of their earlier coupling. Delight piled upon delight till Luisa was strung out, quivering with need and pleasure. It was too much, too intense.

      ‘Please, Raul,’ she gasped. ‘Don’t tease.’

      He looked up under hooded lids and her breath snagged as he tugged with his mouth at her breast. He held her gaze as his tongue circled her nipple then lapped hard, drawing hot wires of desire through her taut body. She groaned and instantly his hand slid down, stroking at her most sensitive point.

      That was all it took.

      She cried out as waves of ecstasy crested and crashed within her. Still he held her gaze, even as the world swirled around her and she bucked helplessly beneath his touch. It was wonderful; it left her speechless.

      But it wasn’t Raul.

      Luisa clutched at his shoulders and finally, as she sagged spent against the mattress, he settled between her thighs. The feel of his hot flesh there sent a spark of energy through her lax bones and a searing sense of familiarity. Of rightness.

      This time he slid home easily. She rejoiced in each magnificent centimetre, excitement stirring anew as he propped his weight above her. His solid chest brushed her sensitive nipples. Friction built to combustible levels with each measured thrust.

      But it was his eyes that transfixed her. The connection between them was different this time. She read arousal and restraint in his gaze. And more. Something unguarded and raw. Something honest.

      Raul moved faster and Luisa tilted her hips to meet him. Pleasure coiled tighter, lashing them together. It reached breaking point and still their eyes locked.

      The climax came. Earth-shattering, mind-blowing ecstasy that went on and on. Through it all their gazes held in silent communication.

      It felt like they shared as equals.

       CHAPTER NINE

      REALITY hit when Luisa woke.

      Last night she’d almost believed they shared more than their bodies. But waking alone in Raul’s bed reminded her where his priorities lay. Their marriage was about his desire for power. Sex was a bonus they shared.

      Her chest tightened as she forced herself to think of it as sex. It had felt like making love.

      Yet he’d left it to a maid to wake his bride, discreetly pretending not to notice the rumpled bed or that Luisa was naked beneath the fine linen.

      Fire scorched Luisa’s skin as the girl swept up the rumpled wedding gown, folding the metres of fine hand-worked veil with the reverence it deserved.

      Memories seared, of Raul flinging the veil away. Of her standing with the dress at her feet as he held her arms wide and feasted on the sight of her. Of their blazing passion, utterly heedless of her exquisite finery.

      Thrumming arousal beat low in her body, just remembering. Appalled, Luisa realised the need Raul had awoken was far from sated. How much she’d changed in one night!

      She nodded vaguely as the maid, eyes carefully averted, pointed out the door in the panelling connecting to Luisa’s room, for when she wanted to dress.

      Luisa hadn’t known the apartments were connected. She hadn’t even recognised the corridor when Raul had brought her here! She’d been so caught up in her response to him.

      Alone at last, Luisa stared at the empty pillow beside her.

      She had no right to feel disappointed. She’d known what she was doing. She’d initiated it! But through a night of intimacy, curled close in his arms, she’d forgotten.

      What