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“I can’t explain it, and I don’t need to. What I feel for you is too strong to describe with words other than what I’ve already said.”
As much as I wanted to stay inside her forever, I eased my softening cock from her body. “Do not move.”
I rolled from the bed, disposed of the condom, and grabbed another from the drawers hidden behind one of the wall panels. I looked up and into the mirror on the back wall before closing it on a man I didn’t recognize.
More often than not, I looked angry. The hard edges of the life I led reflected themselves in the angles of my face. Pain, regret, struggle, purpose, and sometimes, pride lived in deep lines I was too young to have.
My dark eyes were haunted by the things I’d seen, more by the things I’d done. Too many times, I questioned right from wrong as I spent sleepless nights tossing and turning.
I had no questions now. The woman waiting for me in my bed belonged here. I knew it as well as I did my own name. This, I didn’t question. This, I wouldn’t wonder about later. The only thing I didn’t know was how in the hell I’d leave her when the next message came in, saying I was needed.
Could I put her need for me first? Could I walk away from what I’d once believed gave purpose to my life? If after making love to her only once I was considering doing so, it had to mean I would.
I returned to the bedroom, pressing a switch on my way. A small door opened to a shelf built into the wall. Beneath it was a chiller. I pulled out a bottle of water, opened it, and handed it to El, then set the condoms on the shelf.
When she gave the bottle back to me, I finished what was in it, then lay beside her, trailing my fingers over her naked flesh. I pressed a kiss on her shoulder, then looked into her turquoise eyes when she turned toward me.
I didn’t have the words to convey all I was thinking. Too many thoughts about our future raced through my head.
El rested her palms on my chest, right above my heart. The warmth of her touch spread from there to the rest of my body, like a drug in my veins.
Neither of us spoke as our hands learned each other’s bodies until long after the sun had gone down. I lit a fire to warm us and kept us both hydrated with water from the chiller. We took turns washing each other in the steamy bath. All the while, we were silent. The only movement of our lips were kisses.
There were many things I longed to say, but I didn’t want to break the magical spell swirling around us. I sensed she felt the same way.
We slept for a while, and when I woke, she was studying me.
“Levi,” she whispered.
I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her palm. “El.”
“Is this real?” she kept her voice soft, like a caress.
“It’s the realest thing I’ve ever known.” I swirled her nipple with my fingertip, loving that she hadn’t covered herself even in the chill of the room before I lit the fire. “I wish I could keep you this way forever. Naked, always ready for my touch.”
“Our children would experience a far different upbringing than the one I had.”
I laughed at the mischief in her eyes, but the idea that we would make a family together settled inside me like an oath.
“As much as I don’t want to leave this room or this bed, it just dawned on me that we haven’t eaten since this morning. You must be ravenous.” I released her and rolled from the bed. “Come. I’ll feed you.”
Eliza stood and looked around the room.
“What do you need?” I asked.
“As much as I’d like to fulfill your fantasy of always being naked, it may have to be something I work up to.”
“I left your bag downstairs.” I pressed another panel built into the wall and pulled a dress shirt from a hanger.
“Is everything hidden away?” she asked.
“The home’s designer was very particular about aesthetics and clean lines, but not necessarily concerned with convenience or practicality. It took some time before I could remember where I’d put everything.”
I held the shirt open, and El slid her arms in the sleeves, then rolled them to her elbows. It hung down past her knees, but she didn’t seem to mind, nor did she mention the need for knickers.
“I’ll give you the rest of the tour after we eat, then maybe you’d like to take a dip in the pool.”
El tapped her lip with her fingertip. “I suppose that depends on how long the rest of the tour lasts and whether I have to be fully dressed again before we begin.”