Camouflaged Hearts Anthology Read online

  Raising her head, she looked into his eyes. “Kiss me,” she said, her voice trembling. “Please."

  David looked at the woman at his side. The flickering candlelight danced off her silky black hair and shimmered in her deep brown eyes. She didn't need to ask twice. He lifted her chin and covered her full lips with his own.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she drew him down to the rough cotton covering the floor. He'd intended to leave some distance between their bodies, but now that her lush breasts were pressed against his chest, he couldn't bring himself to move. He'd never wanted a woman more. Her body fit him perfectly. He could only imagine how her soft curves would cradle him as he thrust into her.

  As much as he wanted her, he forced what was left of the gentleman in him out of hiding. “Moira, I can't do this."

  Hurt flashed through her wide, guileless eyes. “You don't want me?"

  Shifting to his knees, he laughed—a half desperate sound and scrubbed his fingers through his hair. “Christ, yes, I want you. I want so badly I can't sleep at night. I imagine what it would be like to make love with you—to pleasure you until you cry out my name. But I can't."

  She rose to her knees and faced him. Her arms crossed over her chest, drawing his attention to her full breasts—breasts that until recently had been pressed against him. “Are you married?” she demanded.

  "What? No. Of course not.” He sighed, not wanting to give words to his fear—to give it any kind of credence. “Soon, I don't know when, but I'll be joining the rest of the troops in France."

  She moved her hands to her hips, tapping her fingers in annoyance. “Were you planning to leave tonight?"

  He was slow to answer, not sure what she was driving at. His brow furrowed. “No."

  "If you want me, and you're neither married nor leaving tonight, why won't you touch me?” She pursed her lips in frustration, but it didn't hide the rejection in her deep brown eyes.

  "I don't want to take advantage of you,” he murmured. Well, he did. Desperately. But he wouldn't. If this war were over he'd marry Moira. He'd meant what he said the night they'd met, but this war wasn't even close to being over.

  "Have you considered that I might like you to?"

  "Would you care to repeat that?” His head buzzed with arousal and disbelief.

  She held his gaze. “Perhaps, I'd like it if you did ... if you took advantage of me."

  She was serious.

  "I might not survive.” The thought of never seeing her again twisted his gut. “I want you to be taken care of ... to marry.” The thought of another man kissing her, loving her made him want to vomit.

  Her fingers rose to the bodice of her dress and toyed with the buttons. “I don't want to be taken care of.” She slid the glass disc through the hole, baring more of her creamy skin. “I don't want to marry.” She unfastened another closure, her trembling fingers belying her composed demeanour. Dropping her gaze to the floor, she slipped the bodice off, letting the fabric hang limply over her hips. “I just want you."

  Her pale skin shone in the sputtering candlelight. David had to shove his hands deep into his pockets. It was the only thing he could think to do to keep from touching her.

  It didn't work.

  His hands slipped free and he reached for her, dragging her against him. Barely able to believe he was holding a near-naked Moira in his arms, he slid his palms over the bare, soft skin of her back and urged her closer, kissing her like he'd wanted to since they'd met. Hard and deep, he plundered her mouth. She responded in kind, opening for him and kissing him thoroughly. She melted against him, a shuddering moan slipping from her lips as her mound came into contact with his rapidly hardening cock.

  That small, strangled sound hit him like a bullet, and he jerked against her like untried schoolboy. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so frantic with need. As he left her mouth to trace the gentle curve of her jaw with his lips, she tightened her fingers in his hair. The rasp of her breath and the scrape of her nails had his muscles quivering as he fought to hold himself in check.

  She drew a shaky breath as he trailed down the side of her neck and over the curve of her shoulder, nipping at her skin before soothing with his lips. Tilting her head back, she offered herself to him. Unable to deny such a gift, he cupped the weight of her taut breasts in his hands. Her nipples pushed against the fabric of her bra, and she groaned as he palmed them. He'd never heard a more beautiful sound.

  Eyes bright with desire and determination, she lifted her hands to his neck and began loosening his tie then made quick work of his buttons. Shrugging out of his shirt, he let it fall behind him as Moira yanked his undershirt from his waistband, her cool fingertips skimming over his stomach. “I want to touch you,” she whispered as she stripped the shirt over his head.

  The melodic lilt in her voice made him crazy. The touch of her hands—the taste of her lips made him crazy, too. Hell, everything about this woman made him crazy. For a moment, he closed his eyes, loving the sensation of her hands caressing his chest—tentative at first then growing bolder with every touch.

  Opening his eyes, he gazed at her. Her teeth sank into her lower lip as she studied the bulge in his pants. Of course, the longer she stared at him, the bigger it grew. Occasionally, her fingers would skim over his waistband. He wanted to feel them wrapped around his cock, stroking him. Even more than that, he wanted to feel her mouth drawing on him and the wet clasp of her pussy as he drove inside her. But he wouldn't rush her.

  Sliding his fingers into her long, dark hair, he angled her head for another kiss. He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth. This was heaven. This was what he'd longed for since he'd first seen her. Her hands settled at his waist as he soothed the spot he'd bitten with a sweep of his tongue. Laying her back against the cotton sacking, he slowly slipped her bra straps off her shoulders and unhooking it, bared her gorgeous breasts. She looked away, a blush colouring her cheeks.

  "So beautiful,” he murmured as he lay down beside her, rolling a tight, pink tip between his thumb and fingers, loving the way she arched into his touch. While he continued to torment one nipple, he drew the other into his mouth and sucked, flicking his tongue across the pebbled flesh.

  On a moan, she grabbed him and held his head to her breast, keeping him where she wanted him. Complying, he stroked the bare skin of her stomach as his hand travelled downward and grazed her pussy through the skirt of her dress. She jerked as if burned, but she sighed his name, a long heated breath against the top of his head.

  His cock throbbed, pushing against the buttons of his fatigue pants. He'd have grooves in his flesh if he didn't get inside her soon. But he'd rather have grooves than regrets, and he'd regret not making love to Moira as long as possible. With the bombs still falling and the likelihood of him joining the rest of the troops in France, who knew when they'd have another chance.

  * * * *

  Moira squirmed against David as the longing in her belly spread lower while he drew on her aching nipple. She'd never felt anything like the bliss of the wet heat of his mouth at her breast. She should be scandalised at his attentions. Instead, she trembled beneath his hands and lips. His touch stole her breath and her will.

  As much pleasure as he gave, a restless need grew within her. She pulled him closer, loving the rub of the tight muscular planes of his body against her breasts. Needing the comfort of his nearness she closed her eyes and gave herself fully to his embrace. Explosions continued to shake the earth as well as her sense of security. She wanted more than comfort. She wanted him. Damn the consequences, she wanted to know how it felt to have his body pinning her to the ground. To know the sensation of him moving within her.

  Moira sighed and pulled David closer. Between the sensation of his mouth at her nipple and his fingers dancing over her stocking clad legs as he inched her skirt higher it was nearly impossible to think. The stroke of his calloused fingertips against the bare skin at the top of her stocking sent quivers through her womb. She'd nev
er allowed another man to take the liberties she'd offered so freely to David, nor could she imagine doing so, but with him, it felt right.

  He brushed his thumb over the inside of her thigh, and his sharp intake of breath trembled through her as if it were her own. With tender whispers, he slipped his fingers between the silk and her skin and unhooked the garter that held up her stocking. His hand radiated heat as he cupped her bottom urging her into the press of his groin. A sweet ache spread through her and she wanted more—more of the restless need, more of his drugging kisses—just more of David. She tugged at her dress where it bunched between them. There were too many layers of fabric keeping them apart.

  Releasing her for what felt like a year, he helped her skim the dress over her head. She laid back and closed her eyes, unable to bear his scrutiny. She knew she didn't compare to the beautiful blonde American women she'd seen in photographs. Forcing herself to look at him, she caught her breath. He looked at her like she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. She knew better, but knowing didn't douse the pleasure she felt at his appreciation.

  Desire thrummed through her blood at his hungry expression. As he took in her near naked form, his eyes had brightened in the dim light. They were the blue of a flame—a flame that was about to consume her. She shivered despite the heat bounding between them.

  "Moira,” he breathed.

  She loved the sound of his voice, deep and rich, his American accent making it sound almost exotic. Frowning, she realised that she might be growing to love everything about this man. She'd have a broken heart before this was over, but she'd known that as soon as their gazes had met.

  Almost reverently, he stroked her hip then dragged his fingertip along the crease where her thigh met her torso, slipping beneath the fabric of her underwear. She trembled as he drew closer to her core. A cry escaped her lips as he cupped her mound. She arched into his hand wanting more than this scant caress. As if he knew what she was thinking, he slipped his hand inside her underwear and dragged his finger through her moist folds. Dear God, had anything ever felt as good as his touch?

  "You're so wet,” he murmured.

  Shamed heat flushed her cheeks and she glanced away.

  "Don't be embarrassed.” Withdrawing his hand from her panties, he lifted her hand and placed it on his erection. “It just means that you want me as much as I want you."

  He throbbed beneath her palm. His arousal felt huge and seemed to be getting bigger by the moment. A tendril of fear snaked through her core as her fingers squeezed him through his trousers. He swallowed hard and his expression grew more ravenous, so she repeated the action. This time, his eyes closed briefly and he expelled a harsh breath through his nose.

  "I want you so badly, but if you're not sure..."

  "I'm sure."

  She didn't miss the expression of relief that spread across his face. Gently moving her hand, he shifted to his knees as he finished unhooking and removed her garter belt. He placed her foot on his thigh and caressed the length of her leg as he slid his fingers up to catch the top of her stocking and drag it down. Repeating the action, he stripped her other leg.

  She moved to pull off her panties, but he stilled her hands. “Let me."

  Yielding to his quiet command, her hands fell limply to her sides. His face was a mask of fierce concentration as he bared her completely. Her belly tremored under his heated gaze as violently as the earth shook under the falling bombs.

  "You're so beautiful,” he breathed as he gazed down at her.

  Desire darkened his eyes. They pulled at her like the tide and she wanted to lose herself in it. She wanted to lose herself in him. He made the terror and uncertainty of the war seem less overwhelming.

  David leaned over her, caging her between his outstretched arms. She skimmed her hands over the broad expanse of his shoulders before raking her fingertips through the light sprinkling of hair over his chest. Curious, she followed the trail until it disappeared into his trousers. She loved the way his stomach quivered as she stroked him. It seemed that he was nearly as affected by her touch as she was by his. Tugging at the top button of his waistband she freed it from the closure.

  Nervous anticipation fluttered madly through her stomach as she released the next button. It grew more intense with each subsequent fastener. Finally, the last button was undone and his erection sprung into her waiting hand. With shaking hands, she explored the smooth, silky steel, tracing each vein and ridge until she realised David's fists were clenched at his sides and he'd been gritting his teeth.

  She snatched her hands away. “Am I hurting you?"

  "No.” He shook his head. “It just feels so good to have you touching me."

  "Oh.” She reached out to touch him again, but he caught her hands.

  "I'm too close,” he murmured, bringing her hands briefly to his lips. “Lay back.” Lowering his head, he claimed her lips, delving deep and tasting her. He settled his weight atop her, his hips between her spread thighs.

  Locking her arms around his neck, she urged him forward.

  He raised his head and gazed at her. “Not yet."

  Kissing her, he lured away her confusion until the only thing that existed was the caress of his lips and taste of his mouth. He slid his hand up her ribcage and moulded her breast, twisting and plucking at her nipple as she writhed against him. Barely cognizant of the attack outside, she lost herself in the feel of his warm flesh under her fingers and the comforting press of his body against hers.

  His touch dulled the noise of the falling bombs but did nothing to quiet the sound of her pounding heart. For a brief moment, she questioned her sanity, lying naked in the arms of a virtual stranger, but when she looked into David's eyes, the worry faded along with her uncertainty. Nothing mattered but the places where their bodies touched.

  David trailed his lips along her jaw to her neck and over the swell of her breasts. Drawing one nipple then the other into his mouth, he suckled on her, drawing needy moans from her as she drove her fingers through his hair. She'd never felt anything like the sensations he roused inside her. She wanted more, greedily arching her back, desperate for more of his sensitising touch.

  As he continued to nip and draw on her aching nipples, he trailed his fingers downward, over her belly do dip between her moistened folds.

  "Please, David ... I need you inside me,” she whispered, pushing her hips upward into his pleasuring hand.

  He raised his head and stared into his flame blue eyes. “I want to taste you first."

  "But you..."

  He slipped two fingers deep inside her sheath, and she lost the ability to do more than groan.

  Thrusting in and out of her, he laid a trail of kisses down her stomach to her mound. “I want to feel you come against my mouth,” he murmured against the inside of her thigh.

  Her stomach rippled in nervous response to the nearness of his mouth to her pussy. Gently withdrawing, he spread her wide before dragging his tongue through her gathering moisture. She'd never felt anything like it. Dear God, she wanted more. She needed more. David seemed to understand her strangled cry and responded by repeating his action.

  With the tip of his tongue, he circled the swollen bit of flesh between her legs and returned his fingers to her clutching body. Moira trembled as she held his head in place with her hands. She wanted him pressing her into the earth, his cock filling her, but she didn't want him to stop what he was doing. As her hips rocked in quickening rhythm to his ministrations, she realised she didn't have a choice. Her body would follow wherever he led.

  The sharp scent of her arousal permeated the dimly lit wine cellar as desire clawed at her, desperate for release. She writhed on their makeshift bed as his fingers filled her over and over and her juices covered his hand.

  Lapping at her, he groaned. “You taste so good."

  His words set off tremors that vibrated along her thighs, and her breath stalled in her chest. He slid his hands beneath her bottom to fit her more snugly to his mou
th, and her body tightened like a rope pulled too taut. Sensation raced through her to centre in her womb as his thumbs played over her slick skin. Without warning, he sucked her engorged clit between his lips, his teeth scraping across the needy flesh.

  The restless tension that had claimed her shattered, sending wave after wave of release flooding her body. Convulsing, she thrust her hips into David's face as he continued to draw on her as if he needed the taste of her to survive. Lights sparkled behind her closed lids as the tremors finally ebbed and faded leaving her sated.

  Chapter Three

  David finally lifted his head and met Moira's heavy-lidded gaze. She'd propped herself up on her elbows and watched him in the sputtering candlelight. He'd never tire of her—the taste of her sweet flesh, her throaty cries as she climaxed, the sound of his name falling from her lips. Everything about her excited him. More importantly, she filled something inside him he hadn't even realised had been empty.

  Shifting, she sat up, drew him to his knees and palmed his aching cock. Absently, he thrust into her hand. He couldn't believe he'd managed to keep from coming as she'd found her release. He'd never seen anything more beautiful.

  Now, holding his gaze, she caressed the length of his shaft, stopping to smear the drop of fluid that had leaked from the slit. With a secretive smile, she bent and swirled her tongue around the aching head before taking the tip into her mouth and sucking. Hard.

  "Stop,” he snapped, his hand tangled in the hair at the nape of her neck. He was too damn close to let her continue with her innocently erotic actions. Cupping her face, he kissed her in an attempt to soothe the wounded look in her eyes. Drawing back, he stared at her. “Please Moira, let me love you properly."

  Urging her back against the floor, he finished stripping off his pants and boots then covered her with his body. He settled between her spread thighs, the tip of his cock grazing the sweet, wet heat of her pussy. His cock jerked. With more restraint than he thought he possessed he resisted the need to bury himself inside her warmth.