His fingers curled higher, wrapped the slope of her thigh, the crest of her hip--such smooth, cool skin.

He let out a whimper at being let go.

Could only watch, riveted, as she bent low, brushed her lips down the inner slope of his thigh, trailed kisses inward. Softly spread skin with her fingers, and--breathed damp and close against him.

She wasn't cool all over, slid warm and wet and kissed him, pooled heat behind his spine, slow and liquid, even as his heart raced, stuttered.

"Christine." It was half a moan.