terri moaned as bastien bent his head to her breast and took her nipple in his warm, wet mouth. she felt his tongue rasp the erect nub then press against it firmly as he began to suckle. her head twisted on the back of the couch, a denial of what she was feeling. her entire body had gone stiff under the sudden as¬sault of sensation.

it had been so long since she had felt anything even remotely like this, so long since these now aching mus¬cles had even been utilized. she wasn't sure if she could handle it. she'd thought his kisses overwhelming at first, but this--this was a sort of torture, a pleasure pain.

her fingers, already tangled in his hair, curled clawlike and dragged at him. a moan of pleading slipped from terri's lips as she tugged until bastien fi¬nally got the message and released her.

"what is it, baby?" he asked. there was concern and question in his voice.

terri stared at him helplessly. she wanted him to stop, but she didn't want that. in truth, she really wanted him to continue. yet it had been so long for her, she wasn't sure she knew what to do to please him--or if she ever had. and terri so wanted to please him. the need to do so was almost an ache in her heart. bastien was giving her such pleasure, she wanted to be able to do that for him, too.

"i... it's been a long time since ian," she said helplessly at last. "i'm afraid--"

"shhh." expression softening, he drew her into his arms, his hands caressing her back in soothing mo¬tions. "there's nothing to be afraid of. i won't hurt you. i won't do anything you don't want."

terri pulled back at his words, her eyes wide. "no. i know. that's not what--i want to please you, too," she blurted.

surprise entered bastien's eyes. he took her face in his hands, simply staring at her long and hard before saying solemnly, "terri, you please me all the time. just by being you."

"but--"

he covered her mouth with one finger and shook his head. "let me please you this time. i want you to just enjoy it and do what feels right. do what you want to do."

"but i want--," she tried to say around his finger, but he shook his head again.

"you're always trying to please others. let me please you for a change. i want to."

terri wasn't all that certain she could stand much more of his pleasing, but she didn't argue the point.

when bastien returned to kissing her, she forced her¬self to relax and simply feel the softness of his lips moving over hers, the taste of him on her tongue, and the pleasure it all brought.

soon enjoyment wiped all concerns from her mind. moaning, terri slid her hands to bastien's shoulders, clutching the material there as she arched toward him. the action sent her breasts rubbing across the wool of his sweater, sending tingles racing through her body and rushing her toward the fever pitch she'd been at earlier. liking it, terri pressed closer and rubbed across the cloth again, chafing her sensitive nipples against the wool.

bastien nipped at her lower lip, then slid his mouth across her cheek to her ear. taking that plump lobe lightly between his teeth, he caught her breasts and cupped them with his hands, allowing his thumbs to flick back and forth over their sensitive tips.

she moaned into his mouth, the sound a half growl, wanting him so keenly it was a physical ache. if terri had ever felt this particular need before, she couldn't recall it. she was pretty sure ian had never affected her this way. it was doubtful she would have avoided sexual entanglements all these years had she known she was missing this heady, exciting, and des¬perate experience.

"bastien." terri knew her voice echoed the need she felt. she didn't care. she did need him. she wanted him. now. and if asking would get, she would ask. if not, terri felt she could be even more demanding.

"shhh," bastien whispered by her ear, his hands gentling on her back. "it's okay. we have all night. we have all the time in the world."

terri groaned, her body shifting restlessly in his arms. he didn't understand: she didn't care if they had all night. she wanted him now. now.

on that thought, she nipped his chin with her teeth, her nails digging through the material of his sweater and into his shoulder. neither action was meant to cause pain so much as to get his attention. and they did; he pulled back to peer at her, his ex¬pression startled. "terri, honey?" he asked.

"i need you," she said on a plaintive note. "please."

much to her relief, the desire in bastien's eyes flared at her raw admission. catching one hand in the hair at the back of her head, he pulled her forward for a kiss and the tables suddenly turned. where there had been gentleness, now he was masterful, his tongue thrusting into her mouth with a passion un¬leashed, and the pressure of his lips forced her head back. only then did terri understand that he had a passion to more than match her own, but he had been holding back, perhaps not wanting to shock her.

bastien wasn't holding back anymore, however, and a smile widened terri's mouth beneath his at this sign that she affected him as deeply as he did her. then she stopped thinking altogether, and simply lost herself in what was happening as he thoroughly ex¬plored every nook and cranny of her mouth.

just as terri thought she might drown in his kisses and be happy in the dying, his mouth left hers on a quest. she gasped and sighed, shuddered and trembled as his lips and tongue moved across her skin: first to her ear, her neck, then to the hollow of her throat. his teeth grazed her collarbone and she shivered with excitement, her hands curling in his hair again. when bastien finally returned to her breasts, terri didn't protest; she arched and cried out his name as he both fondled and suckled first one, then the other.

his warm hand drifted down her stomach, and terri's muscles jumped and tightened by turn. she felt a tug on her jeans as bastien found and worked at the button. he was shifting farther down her body as he worked and, afraid he would soon be out of reach, she gave up her hold on his hair and grabbed his sweater, tugging it upward with determined hands.

getting the message, bastien straightened enough to grab the hem of his sweater and tug it over his head. terri reached for him as it hit the floor not far from her top. she placed her hands open-palmed on his beautiful, broad chest, then sighed happily as her fingers moved over the soft curls there. she caressed him lightly, pausing to run the tips of her fingers lightly over his small tight nipples.

bastien allowed it for a moment, then caught her hands. raising first one, then the other to his mouth, he kissed each palm, then shifted his hold to her up¬per arms. he turned her body and laid her down on the couch lengthwise, then came down on top of her, one knee sliding between her legs. terri felt his thigh press against the center of her, and shifted eagerly against the unintentional caress. when he next shifted, so that his hips rested between her legs, there was no mistaking the hardness between her thighs.

where his leg had been firm, this was rock-hard de¬sire that ground against her, the action matching the thrust of bastien's tongue in her mouth.

terri didn't realize bastien reached between them to work at her jeans until she felt cool air touching her lower stomach. the zipper worked down, and bastien's hand followed, sliding over the skin there and across her panties.

she gasped and nearly bit down on his tongue, sur¬prised, then caught herself and began to kiss him more desperately instead. muscles were clenching and unclenching all over her body. her heart beat out a tattoo as his hand moved even lower. when he fi¬nally cupped her sex through the thin white lace of her panties, she bucked violently, her legs spreading farther to accommodate him.

bastien broke their kiss, took the time to nip and suckle lightly at her bottom lip, then lifted away from her. there was no exploring of throat or chest, no gentle teasing of her stomach. he moved himself right away to sit on the edge of the couch, his eyes on hers as he grasped her jeans and dragged them down her legs.

suddenly aware of her naked breasts, and self-conscious, terri raised her arms, crossing them over her chest. bastien smiled at this sign of shyness but didn't stop. her jeans were soon a pool on the floor next to the rest of their clothes. her panties followed.

terri was completely naked now, exposed and vul¬nerable to his view. and he did look. he simply sat for the longest time, his eyes raking over what he had already touched and, in some cases, tasted. terri lay still, biting her lip and wishing he would stop look¬ing. wishing he would kiss her. wishing he didn't still have his pants on. she didn't think it would be quite so bad if she weren't alone in her nakedness. she'd barely had that thought when he reached for her hand. terri hesitated, then uncrossed her arms to place her right hand in his.

bastien pulled her to a sitting position, then knelt between her legs as he had done earlier. there was no trifle on her belly now, however, and it wasn't her tummy he was interested in. her eyes widened in shock as he urged her legs farther apart and lowered his head.

"bas--" her choked protest died abruptly as he buried his face between her thighs. terri jerked and stiffened, her body arching up off the couch. torn between embarrassment, shock, and the first slam of pleasure, she wanted to beg him to stop--but she didn't seem to have a voice to do it with. she wasn't even sure she had a tongue. or a head. the only part of her body she was sure existed at that point was the part he was busily laving. every cell of her body was suddenly focused in that area, every thought in her head on what bastien was doing to her.

terri became aware of a pain building in her chest, and suddenly she realized she'd been holding her breath for several moments. letting it out in a whoosh, she gasped in another, aware of the fact that she was now panting, but not really caring. she didn't really care about much just then; the entire world could have come to an end outside the penthouse and she wouldn't have noticed. terri was completely focused on what bastien was doing to her and the ten¬sion he was building.

the tension was becoming almost unbearable. bastien's ministrations were causing havoc, a plea-sure-pain she wasn't sure she could stand. terri wanted him to stop but needed him to continue, and her movements reflected her confusion. she began to twist her legs in an effort to escape, while at the same time arching herself upward into his attention.

bastien took it all in stride, merely catching her thighs and holding them firmly in place. he contin¬ued to drive her crazy with need, making her buck against him.

"please," terri cried, twisting wildly, then gave an excited cry that even seemed loud to her own ears. a shaft of embarrassment slid through her, along with the fear that she might be heard by vincent or c.k., drawing one of the two men to see what was wrong. not wanting that, she turned her head and bit firmly into the couch cushion. it didn't stop her moans, but muffled them.

just when she thought she could stand no more, terri felt bastien slip a finger inside her, adding to the pressure. she crumbled, her body convulsing as she cried out into the couch. wave after wave of ecstasy washed through her as he continued what he was do¬ing. those waves slammed into her hard and fast, one after the other, again and again until she was sobbing with the release. only then did bastien finally lift his head. moving onto the sofa beside her, he took her in his arms and eased them both to lie on the couch where he held her gently as she trembled and shud¬dered in aftermath.

terri held him back, wonder and gratitude upper¬most in her mind, but too exhausted by what she'd just experienced to offer him either. she lay still and quiescent as bastien kissed her closed eyes, the tip of her nose, her lips. the kiss was gentle and soothing at first, then became more demanding, and despite her exhaustion terri found herself responding.

when his hand closed over her breast, she sighed and arched against him. when it slid lower and dipped between her legs, her passion reawoke as if it had never been sated. she moaned into his mouth, her legs opening like a flower at the promise of sunlight.

bastien groaned and broke away.

"i want you," he murmured against her cheek.

"yes." terri reached between them and found him through his trousers. he was hard against her fingers as she squeezed and ran her palm over his length. she slid her hand to the button of his chinos, but after fumbling with it for a moment, bastien moved to help. within moments, his pants were undone.

terri caught the waistband and tugged down as far as she could, then she changed to pushing the cloth down over his hips. she gave up the effort the mo¬ment his sex sprang free of the clothing and landed, hard and heavy, on her stomach. forgetting about re¬moving his trousers, she caught it in her hand.

bastien gasped, then reclaimed her mouth, kissing her almost violently as he thrust into her hold. then he reached between them and brushed her hand away, replacing it with his own as he eased himself lower against her. she felt him probe at her entrance, then he guided himself into her a little way, stopping when she moaned at the stretching sensation.

terri shifted; and bastien withdrew, eased back in a little, then withdrew again. it was as if he were teas¬ing her, taunting her with what she might have but didn't. she turned her head slightly to break their kiss, then bit at his chin in silent demand. then terri reached down to his behind and dug her nails in there as she arched upward, trying to force him to enter her all the way.

bastien gave a breathless laugh at this maneuver. but he also reclaimed her lips and gave her what she wanted, thrusting his tongue deep into her mouth even as he finally, fully, thrust his body into hers.

terri cried out as he filled her. it was what she wanted, needed, but it was almost too much. it was almost a relief when he withdrew. almost. but the moment he did, she wanted him all the way in once more. fortunately, bastien had finished with his teas¬ing and thrust forward again almost at once. then he withdrew and thrust forward again and again.

giving up her hold on his buttocks, terri moved her hands to his back, her nails unconsciously digging in and scraping the skin up to his shoulders, then she grasped his upper arms and thrust against him. that need was building once more, straining, urging her to urge him on as terri struggled toward the release he'd already given her once. she wanted it again. needed it.

a keening started in her throat as the pressure built. the urge to twist her head back and forth was strong, but even as she tried to do so, bastien caught one hand in her hair to hold her in place. his kiss be¬came more insistent as he drove into her over and over until terri stiffened beneath him, her eyes shoot¬ing open as release slammed violently through her body. the moment it did, bastien broke away with a groan, tossed his head back, thrust one last time, pin¬ning her shuddering body to the couch, and spent himself in her heat.

"are you all right?" he asked a moment later.

terri stirred lazily, her eyes fluttering open. she lifted her head to peer at bastien. she had been barely aware of his coming down atop her, then shifting them both so that their positions were changed. he now lay on his back on the couch, with her splayed on his chest, limp as a rag doll.

"yes. thank you," she said, her voice a husky rasp.

bastien smiled at the polite words and lifted a hand to brush the hair from her face. "i wasn't too rough, then?"

terri shook her head, aware that a blush was mak¬ing its way up her face. it was rather dismaying to have to actually discuss what they'd just done. which was silly, she supposed. they had just performed the most intimate act known to man, and she found it embarrassing to talk about it?

bastien lifted his head slightly and pressed a kiss to her lips, then drew her head down on his chest and continued to simply hold her. his hand rubbed sooth¬ingly over her back, caressing the soft skin. she felt her eyes droop closed; then he murmured, "thank you."

terri blinked her eyes open and raised her head to peer at him. "what for?"

"for this," he said simply. "for giving me the greatest pleasure i've experienced in my life."

she uttered a wry, almost embarrassed chuckle. "i didn't do much. you did all the work. i should be-- thank you," terri ended lamely.

bastien smiled and ruffled her hair, then tugged her upward until their lips met.

much to her embarrassment, the moment his tongue swept her mouth, terri felt the tingling begin in her body again. there was no way to stop the moan that rose from deep in her throat. her embar¬rassment died the moment she felt bastien begin to harden again beneath her thigh, which lay draped over his hips. it seemed she wasn't the only one who still had a little more fire left.

beneath her, bastien felt his need for the woman in his arms stir again, and he almost groaned. he couldn't be ready again already. but he was. just the way terri gasped and shifted against him stirred his passion to life once more, making him immediately hard. he didn't recall ever wanting anyone this much, or ever being this hungry for a woman. even josephine hadn't fanned the flames of his desire like terri could with a mere murmur of pleasure. the way she had moved against him earlier--the way she'd moaned, and cried out, and clawed at him--had all conspired to elevate his excitement to unbearable levels. now it was hap¬pening again; his body coming alive like never before.

catching her by the waist, bastien shifted terri over him so that they rested hip to hip. he kissed her, his mouth demanding what she was offering. then he caught her by the backs of her thighs and urged her legs apart so that she half straddled him. he wanted to enter her now, let her warm wetness close tight around him and down his length, but he wor¬ried that it was too soon. it was clear from the things she'd said that terri hadn't had a lover since her hus¬band's death, and bastien didn't want to leave her sore and aching from too much too quickly. unfor¬tunately, his body wasn't as reasonable, and his hips shifted of their own accord, pushing upward and grinding against her.

terri immediately moaned into his mouth and ground back. she slid across his sex where it swelled between their bodies. aware that she was as excited as he, bastien decided it would be cruel to stop. he'd just avoid making love to her this time. he'd pleasure them both without actually entering her; and his hands found her breasts and began to gently knead.

gasping into his mouth, terri placed her palms on his chest. she levered herself upward so that she sat atop him. once she had her balance, her hands cov¬ered his and she intertwined their fingers, urging him to caress her more firmly as she slid along his shaft again. her eyes were closed, her head tilted slightly upward so that her long chestnut hair trailed down her back, and bastien in fascination watched the play of emotions glide over her face. pleasure, need, des¬peration--all crossed her features as she writhed back and forth over him. then her eyes popped open and she speared him with a look he recognized at once. bastien had seen it before. he'd been watching her face as he pleasured her with his mouth, and that same uncertainty and fear had claimed her just before she found release against his tongue.

"please." it was one word with a wealth of mean¬ing: please pleasure me. please keep me safe. please take me where my body wants to go. perhaps even: please love me.

"please," she repeated, then added with a sort of helpless frustration, "i can't..."

unable to restrain himself anymore, bastien rose up on the couch and shifted them so that he was seated properly, with her astride him. then, despite his earlier intentions, he reached between them and guided himself inside her.

a small sigh of relief slid from her lips as terri eased onto him, her arms slipping around his shoul¬ders. bastien caught that sigh in a kiss, and grasped her hips and began to urge her to move, controlling the rhythm as their bodies slid together, working to¬ward the release they both wanted and needed.

terri suddenly broke the kiss and pressed her cheek to his, gasping in his ear, "bastien. please."

turning his head, he caught her neck in his mouth and felt his teeth slide out. her vein pulsed between his lips. he almost bit, almost sank his teeth into her tender flesh and drank from her. it was an automatic animal instinct, but he caught himself and tore his mouth away, forcing his fangs to retract.

"please," she groaned once more, and bastien again claimed her lips, this time in a violent kiss. he'd had that same biting instinct the first time they'd made love, wanting to hold her in place with his teeth like a cat, but he'd fought it then as he fought it now, the struggle turning the kiss almost into a punishment. he knew by the way terri responded that she, too, was almost frantic with need, desperate for release, teetering on the edge, but unable to find fulfillment.

bastien could feel his own release creeping up on him, threatening to make its arrival whether she found hers first or not. deciding he'd best move her along, and fast, else leave her disappointed, he reached between them and found the center of her excite¬ment. caressing her feverishly, he urged her toward the release that would free him to find his own.

just when bastien thought that he couldn't stand a moment more, terri tore her mouth from his and tossed her head back on a cry of triumph. her body clenched in spasms around him; squeezing and releas¬ing, then squeezing again. relieved, bastien immedi¬ately allowed himself to let go. his own body stiffened as he drove upward one last time and poured himself into her.

terri lay limp against bastien's chest as he shifted her and eased to the edge of the couch. she'd collapsed against him after finding her pleasure, and now lay with her face nestled in the curve of his neck, sound asleep. or unconscious, he thought wryly, consider¬ing how she wasn't even stirring. he'd sat for the longest time, just holding her in his arms, their bodies still joined. but she was showing no signs of waking up. if anything, her breathing was becoming deeper and more relaxed. the woman was dead to the world.

smiling as she murmured sleepily and shifted against him, bastien carefully stood, stepped out of his pants, which were bundled at his ankles, and scooped terri into his arms. even that didn't wake her. she merely cuddled against his chest and made lip-smacking sounds against his skin, as if she were either eating or kissing someone in her sleep. hopefully she was kissing him if it was the latter option, he thought as he strode across the living room with her.

bastien did consider how risky it was to be wan¬dering naked around the apartment, with an equally naked terri in his arms. but then, it had been even more risky to make love in the living room, where ei¬ther vincent or chris could have come upon them at any time. fortunately, they'd been lucky in that re¬spect, and he could only hope his luck held out. bastien was too exhausted to bother dressing himself, let alone her, and it didn't appear she was in any shape to dress herself. he had definitely worn the poor woman out with his demands, he thought with satis¬faction, though she had been equally demanding.

he managed to make it all the way to the master suite without running across either vinny or chris. after setting terri down in his bed, he made a quick trip back to the living room for their clothes. bastien was aware that she would be terribly embarrassed should the others find that evidence scattered across the living room floor in the morning and guess what had happened. he wanted to spare her that.

bastien heard knocking as he started back to his bedroom, and glanced up in alarm to find chris standing at the end of the hall outside the master suite, rapping loudly. afraid the noise might wake terri, bastien picked up speed to reach the man and stop him from knocking again. at the last moment, he remembered the clothes he carried and glanced down. he'd bundled them all together, not bothering to separate them. spying terri's lacy bra on top, he tucked the clothes quickly behind his back to hide this indicator of what they'd been up to.

"chris!" he hissed as the fellow raised his hand to rap on the door again. "what are you doing up?"

"oh, bastien." the editor turned, opened his mouth to speak, then noticed his nakedness. he let his breath out on a vexed sigh. "what is it with you and your brother? did you guys spend your sum¬mers at nudist camps while growing up or some¬thing? don't you guys have any decorum at all? sheesh."

bastien glanced down at himself, started to bring the clothes back around to cover his nudity, but at the first glimpse of white lace, quickly tucked them be¬hind his back again.

"never mind that," he said with a scowl. "why are you knocking at my door at"--he glanced at his watch, the only item he still wore--"at two o'clock in the morning?"

"oh." reminded of his purpose for being there, chris sighed and absently rubbed his stomach. "i'm not feeling too well, and i wondered if you had any¬thing like an antacid or something. i don't think that casserole i ate agreed with me."

bastien peered more closely at the man, taking in the pallor of his skin and the way he was trembling. then he breathed in, noting the acrid scent of chris's breath. "it more than disagreed with you, didn't it?" he asked grimly. "you've been sick."

"a couple of times," the editor admitted.

"any stomach pains or diarrhea?"

chris grimaced in answer, and bastien nodded. it was just as he'd thought. "go get dressed," he in¬structed, moving past him to the door of his suite.

'i'm not the one undressed," c.k. pointed out dryly.

"in your street clothes," bastien clarified. he glanced at the editor's boxers and t-shirt, which had obviously been pulled on to come out into the hall. "you're going to the hospital."

"i'm sure i don't need to go to the hospital," c.k. protested.

bastien arched an eyebrow. "chris, your symptoms suggest food poisoning. and with the streak of bad luck you've been having lately--not to mention the fact that you only ate two hours ago, yet it's already hitting you hard--i'm guessing it's going to be a seri¬ous case. go get dressed."

grumbling under his breath, the editor turned away and moved back toward his bedroom. bastien waited until he'd stepped inside, then opened the door to his own room and slipped through, not at all surprised to find terri standing near the door. the sheet from the bed was wrapped around her sarong-style, and there was concern on her face. chris had obviously woken her with his knocking. she had probably heard most of their conversation.

that was good, he decided. he didn't have to wake her up and explain.