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“And all that water’s gonna boil away to nothing.”

She snuggled closer. “Mmm.”

“If it does, I might just make you go out to the well to get more.”

Annie gave a dramatic sigh. “You’re a hard man, Sanchez.”

Dec wiggled his eyebrows. “I certainly hope so.”

She laughed. He smiled, kissed her again, and sat up. “Come on. We’ll do a quick wash-up and then I’ll make us my world-famous Chef’s Special.”

“Which is?” she said, letting him draw her up beside him.

“Which is whatever’s in a couple of those boxes and cans. How’s that sound?”

Annie’s stomach rumbled. Declan chuckled. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

He filled the basin by the fireplace with warm water. Then he led her to it. Annie stepped in and reached for a big bar of soap.

Dec took it from her.

“Lieutenant Sanchez at your service, my lady. Shampoo first?”

“Lovely,” she sighed.

He washed her hair. Rinsed it. She almost purred with pleasure.

Next, he bathed her… Except there had to be a better word for what your lover did when he stroked you from head to toe with a soapy cloth, lingering in all the places only a lover would know.

“Not fair,” she whispered, when he cupped her breasts and rolled her nipples between his fingers.

“Just trying to make sure I’m doing a good job,” he said, but his husky voice gave him away.

And it really wasn’t fair when he slipped his hand between her thighs and gently rubbed the wet cloth against her clitoris until her head fell back and she gave a soft, sweet moan.

“You just wait,” she said. “I’m going to get even.”

Dec looked down at his erect penis and gave a rueful laugh. “I hope so.”

When it was her turn, she washed him with meticulous care, stroking the wet cloth over his face, his shoulders, his chest and back, pausing to kiss each scar.

She could feel the tension building in his muscles.

“Darn,” she said.

“What?” His voice was low.

“I don’t know how I missed this,” she said with perfect innocence.

Her hand closed around his erection.

“Anoushka…”

She stroked him. He groaned and closed his eyes.

“Am I doing this right?” she whispered.

He put his hand over hers. “You’re doing it right,” he said hoarsely. “Just a little harder… That’s it. That’s…”