Page 37 of Her Hidden Smile

That can’t be right.

But then I didn’t care, as I felt the heat of his skin beneath my palm and reveled in the feel of the rough bristles of his unshaven face as they abraded my skin. I went farther up until I was tracing the curve of his ear, then pushing my fingers into his short, dark curls. They should have made him look feminine, but instead they highlighted his masculinity.

I traced my way back down, slowly. Taking my time to test the soft beauty of his lashes, and watch them flutter, then I followed the line of his straight nose. My fingers hesitated over his lips.

Dare I?

They were well-defined, but it was his lower lip that drew me in. It was the part that lifted up and smiled, and I’d felt it more as he’d kissed my hand. I couldn’t help myself a minute more. As lightly as I could, I tried to be like a butterfly. I traced my finger over his bottom lip.

Did I feel him tremble?

Really? Is it really true?

But I definitely saw his eyelids flutter again.

“Millie,” he whispered against my finger.

Everything I’d ever believed told me to pull back, but I didn’t. Then he did the most outrageous thing. He kissed my finger, and my stomach clenched and goosebumps flared all over my body. My scalp even tingled. I watched as his mouth opened and he lightly licked the tip of my finger.

I didn’t wince. Instead, I melted, and found myself leaning against his body for support. Renzo clasped me to him, in the lightest of hugs, one of his hands resting on my lower back, and one supporting me between my shoulder blades. He didn’t try to pull me tighter; he just held me enough so that I could stand. I hadn’t felt this safe since my parents had died.

“More?” His whisper was barely a breath of sound.

I nodded, but he didn’t see me.

“Yes,” I whispered.

My eyes widened as I watched him open his mouth and surround my finger between his warm lips. It wasn’t a whimper that left me this time, it was a moan. He sucked my finger deeper and I felt his tongue lave against the tip. I felt that caress all over. From my toes to the end of each strand of hair, but then it settled between my legs, to my very core. Heat blossomed, and I thought I might come apart just because of this small caress.

Who is this man and what magic does he wield?

His hand on my upper back moved upwards and was soon sifting through my long hair. Again and again, his fingers tangled in my hair, softly pulling, adding to the sensation of him sucking and licking my finger. I pressed closer to his body.

So many sensations were gliding over my skin, under my skin, until I felt the sensations sparking through my very veins. As I tingled with warmth, I realized I was feeling desire for this man, and I wanted so much more from him. I tugged at my finger, forcing him to release me. He opened his eyes. They sparkled like black diamonds.

“Too much?” he asked.

“Not enough.”

I pushed both of my hands up and wrapped my arms around his neck.

“Kiss me, Renzo.”

His gaze searched mine. “Are you sure, Millie?”

I nodded.

He tugged at my hair, arching my head back even further, and slanted it to the left, then he smiled. “You’re in charge. Anytime you want to stop, just pull away, or pull my hair, okay? Do you understand?”

I nodded.

“No, sweetheart, tell me you understand.”

I rolled my eyes. “I understand.”

He didn’t even chuckle. His gaze rested on my lips and he lowered his head. Then he brushed his lips against mine, as soft as a butterfly, but that wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted more.

I pushed up hard and smashed my lips against his, grinding my teeth against the back of my lips. I mewed with pain.