In awe he lowered his head, bringing his lips to the nipple he could clearly see through the wafer-thin fabric. Snaking out his tongue, he lapped over it, tasting the rosebud. Yes, this was what he’d missed all his life: a taste of Rose.

Rose’s hands working his buttons instantly stilled and instead gripped the lapels of his shirt as if holding on for dear life.

Continuing his sensual assault on her nipple, his hands went for the bra straps, sliding them quickly over her shoulders, allowing him to push the fabric away from her breasts. When his lips and tongue met her flesh, he sucked greedily, the nipple in his mouth having long ago turned hard.

Not wanting to neglect her other breast, Quinn switched sides, licking and sucking the other nipple in the same way while kneading her flesh with his hand. The aroma of her skin intensified, filling his nostrils with the sweet smell of aroused woman. Her skin tasted of rose pedals, engulfing him in an English garden filled with hundreds of rose bushes.

Knowing there were more places on her body he needed to taste, he continued to undress her, his hands making quick work of the button and zipper of her pants, then shoving them over her hips. Pulling them down her legs, he dropped farther down, leaving her breasts, and instead bringing his head to the apex of her thighs. As she stepped out of her pants, having discarded her high heeled sandals moments earlier, he steadied her with his hands on the back of her thighs.

Rose swayed for an instant, but he pulled her toward him, pressing his face into her center, where her panties hid her sex. As delicate as the wings of a butterfly, the fabric clung to her, hiding his view, yet her scent escaped.

At the next intake of breath, he filled his lungs with her delectable aroma, feeling how it did things to him no other woman had ever managed: his heart softened, the walls around it cracking for the first time in two centuries.

Her fingers dug into his shoulders. “Stop.”

He raised his head to look at her, surprised at her command. Had she changed her mind? When he met her look, he noticed her smile.

“I want you naked too.”

Quinn rose, his fingers jerking the last button of his shirt open in the process, then shrugging the garment off his shoulders.

“Better,” she approved, then she motioned to his jeans. “Now your pants.”

Stepping out of his shoes, he brought his hands to the button of his jeans, opening them, then fingered for the zipper. Her hand slid over his, taking the task from him. Deliberately, slowly, she lowered the zipper while she stroked alongside it with the palm of her other hand, caressing the hard ridge that curved against his groin.

Quinn let a hiss escape his mouth. “Fuck, Rose, do that again, and this’ll be over before it began.”

She clicked her tongue, then smoothed her hand over him again. “And here I thought you were the experienced playboy who had more stamina than anybody.”

He slowly shook his head while he clamped his jaw shut, fighting the onslaught of emotions that her tender hand unleashed on him.

“With you, I’m only a green boy. It’s like the first time again.”

She pulled his pants to mid-thigh, then brought her hand back to him, sliding it into his boxers. When she captured him in her palm, his heart stopped beating. It was like the first time again, just as magical and new.

“Is that why you’re already weeping for me?” She rubbed her finger over the head of his cock, spreading the bead of moisture that had seeped from his slit.

“Yes.” He closed his eyes, allowing himself to enjoy her touch to the fullest. “That’s why pulling out didn’t work back then.”

She lifted her head. As their gazes connected, he saw a sad smile on her lips.

“Let’s not talk of the past.”

With his hand stroking her jaw, he pulled her closer, nodding. “Let’s live in the present,” he agreed, and sank his lips onto hers.

Her hand squeezed him in agreement, and her lips yielded to his touch.

Within seconds, he’d rid himself of his pants. Rose took care of his boxers. When her bra and panties finally joined his clothes on the floor, he drew her back into his embrace, their bodies sizzling wherever they touched.

Lifting her into his arms, he carried her to the bed and laid her on it as if placing a precious item on a surface to be displayed. He ran his eyes over her, letting the moment sink in.

“You’re beautiful.”

Her eyelashes fluttered; her lips were parted and moist from his kiss. “That’s what I always thought of you.”

The way her eyes admired him, hungrily scanning his body, made him even harder than he already was. If she continued doing this, he would burst without another touch from her.