“I couldn’t agree more.”

She dug into her meal, watching Gabe from underneath her eyelashes. There were a million questions buzzing around in her head, but she didn’t want to inundate him. As he had said, they had plenty of time to learn one another. Most people waited a little further into that learning curve before jumping into a sexual relationship, but she supposed Gabe was well used to doing things his own way, and damn convention. Besides, it wasn’t as though they were complete strangers. Gabe had been a fixture—albeit a distant one—in her life for years.

The silence stretched between them. She could feel his gaze on her, knew he watched her much as she watched him. Almost like two wary opponents studying one another before engaging in battle. Only Gabe didn’t look as uncertain and awkward as she felt. He looked confident. Like a predator closing in on his prey.

Butterflies took wing in her belly, and lower, until she squeezed her thighs together in an effort to assuage the ache.

“You aren’t eating,” Gabe pointed out.

She stared down at her plate, realizing she’d paused, fork still in hand, her steak only half eaten. She set it down and then calmly fixed her gaze on Gabe.

“This is nerve-wracking, Gabe. This is all new to me. I’ve never been in a situation like this. I’m unsure of how to act. What to say. What not to say. Or whether to say anything at all! You sit across from me staring at me like I’m dessert, and I have no idea if this is a simple dinner. A get-comfortable session. Help me out here because I’m floundering.”

A half smile curved his lips upward. Amusement flared in his eyes. “Mia, darling, you are dessert.”

Her breath stuttered over clumsy lips as she read the hunger in his eyes that had nothing to do with the steak in front of him.

“Eat,” he said in a quiet voice that brooked no argument. It was a command. One he didn’t intend for her to ignore. “I’m not going to jump you at the table. Anticipation makes the final reward all the more sweet.”

She retrieved her fork and knife and cut into the steak, but she had no idea of the taste. She ate mechanically, a tingle of awareness buzzing through her body. Evidently Gabe had no intention of easing into this relationship. But then that wasn’t him. He went full-out at everything. It was his style and what had made him so successful in business. He went after what he wanted with single-minded determination. And now she was the thing he wanted.

She sipped at the wine just to have something to fill the awkwardness. She didn’t know if she wanted to slow way down and take her time with her meal to buy her more time, or if she wanted to dive in and finish quickly so they could move on to…dessert.

Gabe finished before her and sat back, looking unfazed as he sipped at his wine. His gaze never left her, and he watched her every movement. He looked cool and aloof. Until she looked into his eyes. There, it was a completely different story. His eyes burned with impatience and simmered with heat.

Leaving only a small portion, she pushed her plate back and carefully leaned back in her own chair. Though she didn’t speak, the what now? floated almost tangibly between them. Gabe surveyed her lazily and then said, “Go to the middle of the living room and stand, Mia.”

Swallowing and then sucking in a deep breath, she rose as gracefully as she was able, determined that she would be poised. And confident. This man wanted her. Her. Not some other woman. It was time to act like she belonged here.

She walked across the hardwood floors, her heels clicking in the silence. When she got to the middle of the room, she slowly turned, only to see Gabe walk over to the armchair that was situated catty-corner to the leather couch.

He sank into the chair and angled one leg over the other in a casual pose that signaled how relaxed he was. She wished she could say the same for herself. She felt like she was on an auction block, standing before him as he devoured her with his stare.

“Undress for me,” he said, his voice vibrating over her skin.

She stared back at him, eyes wide as she processed the command.

He lifted an eyebrow. “Mia?”

She started to slip out of her shoes, but he halted her.

“Leave the shoes on. Just the shoes.”

She lifted her hands to the three buttons in front and slowly unfastened them. Then she pulled the shoulders down and let the dress slide down her body, leaving her in only her bra and panties.

Gabe’s pupils flared. Raw hunger ignited and his features became primal. An uncontrolled shiver worked up her spine. Her nipples hardened, pressing against the silky material of her bra. The man was lethal and he hadn’t so much as touched her yet. But his gaze. It was like being brushed with fire when he raked his stare down her body and back up.

“Bra or panties first?” she asked huskily.

He smiled. “Why, Mia, I do believe you’re quite the tease. Panties first.”

She hooked her thumbs into the lacy, thin waistband and slowly pulled downward. It was instinctual to try to cover herself, to preserve what little modesty she had, but she forced herself to let the tiny scrap of material drop to the floor. She stepped free and slid the panties away with the toe of her shoe.

Then she raised her hands again, pushing back her hair and then arranging it over one shoulder so she could reach the clasp of her bra. She unhooked it and the cups loosened, baring the underswell of her breasts.

“Move your hair back now,” Gabe murmured.

One hand holding her bra over her breasts, she pushed her hair back with the other hand. Then she carefully lowered the bra, allowing the straps to slide down her arms. She pulled it from her body and then let it fall to the floor with her other clothing.

“Beautiful,” Gabe said, his voice a low growl of appreciation.

She stood, vulnerable, as she awaited his next command. It was clear he was in no hurry whatsoever and he intended to savor seeing her unclothed for the first time.

Her arms crept around her middle and then up toward her breasts.

“No, don’t hide from me,” Gabe said softly. “Come here, Mia.”

She took a trembling step forward. And then another. Until she stood before him, merely inches away.

He took down his leg and widened his knees, leaving a gap. There was a discernible bulge between his legs, straining at the denim fly. He held out his hand, beckoning her.

She stepped between his thighs and took his hand. He pulled her forward and then motioned for her to crawl onto his lap.

Her knees dug into his sides, her legs wedged between him and the arms of the chair. She settled her behind on the backs of her heels and waited. Breathless. Her muscles coiled and taut as she anticipated what he’d do next.

Sliding his hand around to her nape, he gripped her and pulled her to him, crushing her lips against his. His breath whispered over her face, hot and rapid. His fingers slid higher, into her hair, wrapping the strands around so his grasp on her was even tighter.

And then, just as quickly, he pulled her away, his hand still wound tightly in her hair. His breaths were sporadic and his chest heaved. His eyes burned brightly with lust, enough to make her shiver with the raw heat emanating from him.

“I wonder if you have any idea just how much I want you,” he murmured.

“I want you too,” she whispered.

“You’ll have me, Mia. In every conceivable manner.”

The promise slid over her like silk, warm and inviting. Husky and so sinfully sexy.

He loosened his hold on her hair and then placed his palms on her belly, sliding them upward until he cupped her breasts. Holding them, he lowered his mouth, sucking one nipple between his lips.

She moaned and quivered beneath his touch. She braced her hands on the arms of the chair and tossed her head back as he ran his tongue around the puckered crest.

Alternating between the mounds resting in his hands, he teased and toyed. Sucked and licked, nipping lightly at the taut peaks until they were rigidly erect and straining outward, seeking more of his touch.

He released his hold on one breast and ran the tips of his fingers down her rib cage, and then lower to her belly and between her spread thighs. His touch was delicate as he delved through the curls and to the sensitive flesh of her pussy. One finger danced over her clit, and her entire body tightened in response.

He teased over the damp flesh, circling her entrance with a finger while his thumb gently stroked the tiny bundle of nerves.

“Gabe,” she whispered, his name more of a moan.

She lowered her head just enough that she could see him past half-lidded eyes. His mouth on her breast, sucking at her nipple, was exciting and erotic, fueling her already out-of-control desire.

His finger slid inside her and she moaned again. His thumb applied more pressure, moving in a circular motion as his finger stroked deeper. Then he nipped at her breast, grazing his teeth over the puckered ridge.

Her hands flew to his shoulders, her fingers digging deep, anchoring herself more firmly against him. She stirred restlessly, her orgasm building. It was impossible to remain still. Her entire body was taut, tension coiling low in her abdomen.

“Come for me, Mia,” Gabe said. “I want to feel you come in my hand.”

His finger slid deeper, pressing against her G-spot. She gasped as his thumb pressed over her clit and he sucked her nipple into his mouth once more. She closed her eyes and cried out his name as the first wave swept over her. Tumultuous and overwhelming.

“That’s right. My name, Mia. Say it again. I want to hear it.”

“Gabe,” she breathed.

She arched up, frantic as he relentlessly pushed forward, taking her higher. She twisted in his hold and then slumped forward, catching herself on his shoulders, holding tight as she sucked in deep, steadying breaths.

Slowly he withdrew his hand and then wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in to his body, his warmth. She rested her forehead on his shoulder and closed her eyes, wrecked by the intensity of her orgasm.

He slid his hands up and down her bare back, soothing and stroking, his touch gentle and comforting. Then his hand tangled in her hair and he pulled just enough that her head came up and their gazes met.

“Hold on to me,” he said.

She’d barely wrapped her arms around his neck when he pushed forward and then stood, lifting her into his arms.

“Wrap your legs around my waist.”

He hoisted her higher, his hands sliding underneath her bottom to hold her as she hooked her ankles around his waist. He strode from the living room and down the hall into his bedroom.

Leaning over, he landed her softly on the bed and then just as quickly withdrew, tearing at his clothing. She lay there, dizzy with exhilaration, her body still humming in the aftermath of her release. Her pussy throbbed and ached. She wanted more. She wanted him.

She lifted her head as he unfastened his jeans and yanked them down his hips. He was so freaking hot, standing there, his erection straining, his eyes burning over her with blazing heat. His desire for her was right there to see, in every inch of his tightly coiled body. She could stare at him for hours. He was beautiful and all brooding, alpha-in-control male, his muscles bunching as he reached for her. He grasped her legs, pulling her roughly to the edge of the bed, spreading them as he positioned himself between them.

“I can’t go easy, Mia,” he said, his voice strained and edgy. “I want to be inside you more than I want to breathe right now. I have to have you. Now.”

“I’m okay with that,” she breathed out, her voice a husky whisper as she stared into those intense blue eyes.

He hauled her the rest of the way to him and she felt the head of his cock push into her swollen heat. He paused only for the briefest moment before he surged fully into her, seating himself deeply into her body.

Her gasp mingled with his. The shock of his entry nearly sent her over the edge. How could she possibly orgasm again so soon?

The sensation of him inside her was overwhelming her. She was filled. Completely. So tight around him she wondered how he could possibly even move. Or how he’d managed to go so deep.

His fingers dug into her hips and then his touch gentled, almost as if he were reminding himself to take care. He stroked and caressed, sliding his hands to her belly and then up to her breasts, palming them and tugging at her nipples.

“Did I hurt you?” he rasped.

Even as seemingly out-of-control as he was, how desperate he was to possess her, there was concern in his voice. She knew without a doubt that if she wanted him to stop he would. No matter how crazy for her he was in the moment.

And oh man did she love that he was this crazy. Over her. To have her.

She shook her head. “No. Not at all. Please. Don’t stop.”

And it was begging. If he stopped now she’d die.

Her hands went to his wrists where his hands covered her breasts. She let them slide up his arms, reveling in all that strength he possessed. She could touch him forever.

His hands moved to hers, covering them for the briefest moment. And then he yanked her arms over her head, her eyes widening at the ferocity in his face, at how his eyes narrowed as a low growl rumbled from his throat.