felt for her.

The desire that ha always remained within him, dormant, sleeping, but alive. He slowly moved his hands underneath her nightgown encircling her waist.

Her skin was silky, smooth.

Enticing.

Keeping a tight rein on the passions that flared in his blood, he

brought her to him and sat her on his lap.

For moment he contented himself with just looking at her.

"You were the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, from the moment I

first laid eyes on you. More beautiful than sunrise."

She remembered how he had wanted to share that sigh with her.

How wonderful he thought it was.

Caitlin closed her eyes, overcome by the feelings pounding within her

like

waves on the beach at high tide.

She entwined her arms around his neck, bringing h closer. She caught her breath as she felt his thumbs tease t tips of her nipples.

They hardened.

Her head began to swim Yes, she thought.

Yes!

This, this was all she had ever wanted.

Gray holding her.

Loving her.

Only Gray.

And it was finally going to happen.

His mouth covered hers, draining her, empowering her.

Taking everything from her that she offered and returning it to her

twofold.

There were so many emotions churning within her, she lost count.

Lost sight of everything but Gray.

Over and over again, like a starving man taking sustenance, his lips

feasted on hers.

He couldn't get enough of her, couldn't convince himself that this was real, that it was happening.

He'd never taken her before, only dreamed of it over and over again,

even years after they had gone their separate ways.

Sometimes at night she would creep into his dreams, soft and willing, and he would make love with her, only to wake up beside Celia, filled with regret.

And guilt.

And now Caitlin was here, real, flowing like hot, molten lava through his hands.

He couldn't touch her enough, couldn't hold her enough.

He wanted to steep himself in her.

If, by some horrid twist of fate, it was another dream, then he prayed

that he'd never wake up.

He couldn't get enough of her.

His hands touched, possessed, molded, worshiped, forging a path for his

mouth to follow.

He kissed, suckled, teased.

She tasted of all things wondrous and willing.

Sweet, dark, tempting.

His.

Caitlin groaned as he gently pushed her down on the sofa.

He pressed a kiss against her throat and she felt her pulses throb all

along her body, wanting him.

Demanding him.

She was ripe for him, waiting all these long, barren years for this.

For him.

Impatient, her mouth still sealed to his, Caitlin tugged at his shirt,

pulling it free of his waistband.

Her hands splayed along his skin.

Smooth, heaving, it felt hot to the touch, burning her fingers.

Burning her soul.

How she wanted him!

He raised himself on his elbow, hovering over her, defining the perimeters of her world.

He looked down7 into her face.

Her eyes were huge, dazed, her mouth mussed from the imprint of his.

He'd never wanted anyone so much in his life.

"Would you be more comfortable in your bed?"

Her arms remained around his neck, afraid that if she released them,

he'd vanish, like some elusive, magic butterfly.

"Not alone."

"I wasn't thinking of leaving you alone."

He couldn't if he tried.

Not now, when she had raised the fires of his soul so high.

He lifted her into his arms and carried her to her bedroom.

Vainly trying to hold back tears of joy, Caitlin wrapped her arms

around his neck and pressed her face against his shoulder.

He felt the dampness through the material as he brought her to her

bed.

She'd changed her mind, he thought.

"Caitlin?"