I sink into the kiss. Ash tugs me closer so I’m curled in his lap, and I slide my arms up around his neck, savoring the feel of his body against mine. This isn’t fevered and wild like last night; no, this is a leisurely heat, simmering between us in the morning sun.

Bliss.

I sigh with pleasure as his hands move over my body: stroking my hair, sliding down over my back, sending ripples of warmth right through me with every touch. His fingers tease at the hem of the shirt I’m wearing, gently whispering against my bare legs and creeping higher, until I’m wriggling with anticipation.

Ash chuckles against my mouth. “Ticklish?” he murmurs, tracing circles on the inside of my thigh.

I catch my breath. “Maybe a little,” I whisper, moving to explore the line of his jaw with a trail of teasing kisses.

“Hmmm…” Ash’s touch strays higher. “How about…here…?”

His fingers slide under my panties, warm and slow. I exhale in a shudder, my eyes falling shut as he strokes in gentle circles, igniting the flames. “Yes,” I whisper against him, my body turning liquid. “Don’t stop.”

Ash shifts me on his lap so I’m sprawled against him, my back to his chest. I lie back, surrendering completely to the feel of him; his fingers buried between my thighs, stroking me with a slow, delicious pace. His stubble rasps against my cheek as he kisses my neck; his free hand roaming softly over my body. He opens the shirt buttons one by one, reaching to cup my breasts in turn and gently tease my nipples into two aching peaks.

God, he’s incredible. I want to stay, suspended in this dream-like haze of pleasure, but already, my desire is coiling tighter, needing release.

“Open your eyes,” Ash orders me softly.

I look up—and find myself staring at our reflection in the dressing table mirror across the room. Damn, that’s even hotter: the sight of us here in bed together, my body splayed across his lap. Wanton and undone.

Ash’s eyes lock on mine in the glass, and I can see the fierce heat in his gaze.

He pulls my shirt open, baring my body completely. This time, his eyes don’t leave mine as he strokes and squeezes at my breasts, displaying them to me. His other hand slides deeper beneath my panties, his fingertips teasing at my slick desire.

Heat pulses through me. I’m transfixed, totally caught in his dark, knowing stare and the wicked sight of us together. He’s teasing me, controlling me, but I don’t care. All that matters in the feel of his hands on my body, and that incredible pleasure rising higher; burning brighter inside me, ready to combust.

He strokes me in a mindless rhythm, refusing to speed the pace. I whimper, writhing back against his lap—and the hardness pressing against me—but Ash just locks his arms tighter, trapping me in place.

I can see it in his eyes, the heat, the intensity. Pleasure shudders through my body, hotter still. I’m bucking against him, desperate for more of his wicked touch, the hypnotic slide of his fingers against me. “Please,” I gasp, “Ash, I’m so close.”

Ash dips his head and kisses my neck in a whisper of sensation. He’s everywhere, his arms, his touch, his body. I’m drowning in the heat of it, arching desperately against his hand. More. There.

Please.

He curls one finger up inside me, then another, thrusting deep as his palm rocks against my clit and he bites down softly on my shoulder.

God, I shatter with a gasp, glittering pleasure sweeping my body in a swift, stardust haze. I fall back against him, reeling.

That was incredible.

I’m about to show him just how good, when Ash’s cellphone sounds. He reaches over me to grab it from the nightstand, but I wrap my arms around his neck, holding him back.

“Leave it,” I tell him. “We’re not done here yet.”

“I should really—”

“I said, leave it.” I wrap my legs around his waist and bite down lightly on his shoulder. “We’re not done here just yet.”

I can feel him, still hard against me, but instead of pinning me down and continuing where we left off, Ash carefully lifts himself away and picks up his phone. He scans the message, and sighs.

“Damn, I forgot I had an early call with New York scheduled.”

“I guess you got a little distracted…” I slide my hand down his chest, skimming over the fabric of the sheets tangled around his waist. I close my hand around him and give a flirty grin. “Make that a lot distracted.”

Ash focuses on his phone a second, tapping out a message in reply. Then he turns back to me and gives me a quick kiss.

“I wish I could stay, but I’m already behind.”

“They can wait.” I kiss him deeply, my nerves still glittering with heat. “After all, you’re the boss.”

I massage him again, slowly. Ash lets out a low groan.

“I shouldn’t…” he says, but his hips are already moving against me. I roll on top of him and start to kiss my way down his chest.

“But we have unfinished business of our own, right here,” I tease, moving lower, savoring every moment. Ash falls back against the pillows, his fingers tangling lightly in my hair, guiding me down. I ease the sheets away, baring him completely.

God, he’s gorgeous, every last thick inch.

I dip my head, ready to take him in my mouth, when suddenly his phone sounds again. Ash flinches, and just like that, I see the lust shatter from his expression. It’s as if he’s waking up, somehow, shaking off the desire that just moments ago was threatening to consume us both, all over again. He rolls away, grabbing his phone.