Page 78

“Admit this is more than just a fling. My heart….” She paused. “Some feelings may be involved.”
He looked surprised – no shocked – by her admission. Of course, he had been expecting a confession of a different type, but that was impossible. She would sacrifice her mission if she exposed her identity. Now she was just sacrificing her heart. “Despite the potential, it can’t be more.Wecan’t be more.”
His frown was immediate and deep. “That makes absolutely no sense.”
“I know.” In the sky, a pair of bluebirds soared high, free to be their true selves. If only she had the same freedom. “Our lives are just too different.”
“No two lives are alike, and while I’ll admit mine is more unusual than most, there are some advantages. Perhaps I need to show you.” He stepped toward her.
Suddenly, letting things progress wasn’t such a good idea. Definitely not a safe one. She took a step back, as rocks heated by the afternoon sun stung her bare feet. “Maybe you were right about keeping this platonic. You’re not even undressed. Why don’t you relax while I take that swim?”
“This hasn’t been platonic since I first removed your clothing.” He stepped closer, and his muscles bulged under the thin fabric. “I have a better idea.” He reached for the bottom of his shirt.
She meant to walk away. She meant to turn, jump into the water, go for that swim. But she was, unfortunately, only human. So she did the only thing humanly possible – stand frozen and try desperately not to drool.
He had watched her striptease, and now it was her turn. He lifted the shirt, slowly revealing six-pack abs, defined angles and corded muscles rippling with strength. He took off his watch, his only accessory. Slowly he unbuckled his jeans, bringing them down in tortuous slowness.
Where was popcorn when you needed it?
He grinned. “With all those bracelets, you weren’t that far off from winning. Another couple of hands, and you might have succeeded. Of course, I did have a backup.” He shook his jeans, and they jangled. “Twenty pennies in my pocket.”
She looked skyward, but soon all humor vanished. She stepped back, and his gaze sharpened, like a predator focused entirely on his prey. Then… he leapt.
“What are you doing?” She gasped as he easily picked her up, skin against skin, hardness against softness. Yet she didn’t protest, didn’t ask for her release. Didn’t fight what felt so right.
He handled her easily. “Helping you to the water. The footing can be loose here. I wouldn’t want you to slip, especially when you’re not protected.”
The blush pinkened her entire body. “I can walk on my own.”
He put a hand on her breast.
“On second thought,” she gasped. “I wouldn’t want to fall.”
“Exactly.”
He brought them both down into the water, gently submerging her in its cool depths. It was chilly, but not freezing, refreshing and sweet and pure. Yet she barely noticed for the heat emanating from his slick, muscular body. He set her down on a bed of sea grass. When he lowered his lips to hers, she was lost.
She moaned as she pressed into hardnesseverywhere. He tasted like chocolate and mint, pure deliciousness. He caressed every limb, traced every dip and curve, leaving no spot untouched. He carried her close to the water’s edge, where tiny waves lapped at the shore. His weight pressed into her, gently pinning her to the soft surface in the shallow water.
A virtual fire burned within her, and she couldn’t wait another moment. She opened her legs and pushed up, signaling what she so desperately needed. He took a second to don protection (where in the world had he hidden that?) and returned. In one motion he filled her completely.
It was the perfect moment. The cool water underneath her, the heat above her. As they moved together, the sensations rose higher and higher, the layers between them slipping away. She held nothing back as they danced in instinctual rhythm, like two halves of the perfect whole. Just when it seemed like she couldn’tgo any higher, she did, riding on a crest until suddenly she shattered.Theyshattered.
She screamed as he roared her name, shivers overtaking her body as the world transformed into a brand new reality. He held her tightly as they soared for an eternity, then as they descended into the land of cool water and soft sea. All around the world was peaceful and calm, accompanied by a poignant sense of rightness. She had never belonged anywhere like she belonged in his arms.
“Do you know how beautiful you are?”
She smiled at the softly spoken words. “I bet you say that to all the ladies.”
“No.” His voice was somber, serious, genuine. “Don’t ever compare yourself to others. I’ve never met another woman like you.”
She fought the pleasure the words brought, a million thoughts and emotions raging through her. It would be a dream come true to stay here in his arms, to give in to the powerful force between them.
If only it were possible.
She opened her mouth to counter him but stopped short of speaking, for the more she resisted, the more control he’d take. For this one moment, she let herself lie there, warm in his arms, pretending she really did belong to him and he to her. Pretending they were two lovers discovering each other as they prepared for a life together. What would it be like to let herself go? To let herself fall in love?
Or was it already too late?