Page 75 of Critical Doubt

"No, but it's whatever you want, Savannah. You don't owe me anything. You were joking earlier when you said you owed me a kiss. I don't have to collect."

"I know that. The truth is I've been thinking about kissing you ever since we first saw each other at the church. After the explosion, the kiss felt so good that I couldn't stop thinking about doing it again. But if we try to recreate what we had, it might be disappointing."

"Or incredible." He paused, giving her a serious look. "It wouldn't be just sex this time, Savannah. I like you. I don't want to hurt you. Which is why I'm still talking…"

She smiled. "I like you, too. You don’t have to worry about hurting me. I know what I want."

"That's what you said the first time we met. I liked how direct you were."

"I meant it then. I mean it now. So, are we going to talk all day or—"

He suddenly moved, cutting off her question with a hungry, possessive kiss. Running his hands through her hair, he trapped her in his embrace, and she had no desire to escape. She wanted more kisses, more touches, more of everything.

Today felt a lot like the first time they'd been together, when the passion had exploded—hot, intense, needy, driving every other thought out of her mind.

She pressed her body against his, her nerves jangling, her anticipation building. Wrapping her arms around his back, she pulled him even closer. He might think he was weak, but she could feel the power in his body, the demand in his kiss. And she gave him what he was asking for, because it was exactly what she was asking for.

He broke away, giving her a scorching look as he drew in a ragged breath. "Bed," he said shortly, grabbing her hand and leading her down the stairs to his stateroom.

"It's so neat," she murmured. "I hate to mess it up."

"Are you kidding? I can't wait to mess it up."

"In that case…" She pulled her sweater up and over her head.

He groaned when he saw her breasts spilling out of her lacy black bra. "I missed these beautiful breasts," he said, cupping them with his hands.

She reached behind her back to undo the clasp and he helped her take off her bra, sliding his warm fingers across her nipples.

And then he stepped back.

"Where could you possibly be going?" she asked in surprise.

"One second." He moved into the adjoining bathroom and came back with two condoms, which he tossed onto the narrow shelf next to the bed. "Now, I'm ready."

She put her hand on the impressive bulge in his pants. "I'd say so."

He laughed. "Let me get these off."

"Do it fast."

"Everything is probably going to be fast," he joked.

She smiled, reminded of the fun they'd had before. She'd forgotten this part—the teasing, the smiles, the laughter. Nothing about that night had been awkward and it felt exactly the same way now.

While he was getting rid of his clothes, she stripped off her jeans and panties and stretched out on the bed, taking a moment to appreciate his very fine male body. But he didn't give her long to look. He was eager to taste and touch, and so was she.

It wasn't just as good as she remembered; it was better. Their hearts were connecting as well as their bodies. Every intimate gaze meant something. Every kiss brought them closer.

When they came together completely, he was looking right at her, and she thought for the first time in her life that he really saw her, really knew her. And she knew him. There was nothing but honesty between them and that made their climax so much more intense and also a little terrifying.

Any rejection that might come later was going to hurt. But she pushed that thought out of her head. She'd deal with the pain if she had to; now it was just going to be about pleasure.

Ryker held Savannah's soft, naked, sexy body as they came down from the wild ride they'd just been on. Now, they lay on their sides, face-to-face, their breaths beginning to slow down. Savannah's hair fell over her bare shoulders, and he played with the silky ends, as he gave her a smile that came from way down deep.

He'd almost forgotten what it was like to feel so happy, so complete. And he hoped she felt the same way. Her light eyes were sparkling in the now shadowy light, which brought a new sense of awareness to the passing time. He shifted slightly so he could look at his watch.

"Is my time up?" she asked, humor in her voice.