Page 181 of Dustwalker

Lara’s brows shot up. “In? You mean, in the ocean?”

He nodded. “Not too far, but yes.”

“It’s…not going to sweep me away?”

“I won’t let it. Nothing is going to take you away from me, wife.”

“Then you don’t have to tell me twice.”

Ronin’s laughter was such a warm, rich sound.

Drawing back, she toed off her boots and shoved down her pants, kicking them off. She wiggled her toes, digging them into the sand as she marveled at the sensation. This was so unlike the dust and dirt in Cheyenne. It was soft, almost soothing, rather than coarse and abrasive.

As she walked toward the water, the sand grew more compact, giving less beneath her feet. When the next wave rolled toward shore, Lara stopped, bracing for the chill, but the water that flowed past her wasn’t nearly as cold as she’d expected.

The water raced back out to the sea, making her heels sink into the wet sand. Even with it barely reaching her ankles, she could feel that pull out toward the endless blue. She couldn’t lie to herself and say it wasn’t a little frightening. Lara couldn’t imagine being lost out there. But at the same time, it was exhilarating.

She stepped farther out, and with the next wave, the water rose past her knees. Chuckling, she bent down and swept her fingers over the surface. Beneath the water, tiny rocks, shells, and bits of a green plant tumbled on the shifting sand.

As the water rushed back, Ronin strode up beside her. Her eyes caught on his bare feet, then ran up over his shins and thighs, stopping on his long, thick cock, which hung limp against his leg.

He’d undressed completely.

Lara’s gaze shot to his. “Ronin!”

He spread his arms to the sides, indicating the surrounding beach. “There’s no one around, and I don’t want to get my clothes wet.”

“Well, you’re certainly getting something wet.” With a laugh, she swept her hand through the water and splashed him before taking off along the shore.

When she glanced over her shoulder to find him giving chase, her heart quickened and her belly fluttered. His playful grin was belied by the focus in his eyes, which were locked on her.

He rapidly gained on her and thrust out a hand to grab her. Lara abruptly changed directions, feeling his fingertips brush along her side. Water splashed around her legs as she ran. She knew he could have caught her easily. There was no way she could ever truly outrun him, but the chase was as thrilling as it was arousing.

“Maybe if you catch me, you can see just how wet I am!” she called, wind whipping through her hair.

The splashes of his footfalls increased in speed behind her. Though it wouldn’t make any difference, Lara pushed herself faster, extending the game just that little bit. But she could hear him closing in again, could feel him drawing near.

“You’re mine!” His arms banded around her middle, yanking her up off her feet.

She shrieked with laughter as the world spun around her. And then she was drawn in against Ronin’s chest, his arms wrapped protectively around her.

“You’re mine,” he said again, voice husky in her ear.

Grinning, she turned her face toward him. “I am.”

His mouth captured hers in a deep, passionate kiss that stole what little breath remained in her lungs. Heat curled low in her belly, and she was all the more aware of his cock thickening against her ass.

When she broke the kiss, their eyes met, and she cupped his jaw with one hand. Her breath was ragged, and the ache between her thighs bloomed. But it was his hand, pressed possessively over her stomach, that stirred a different yearning.

Her words spilled out without a thought. “I want to have a baby with you.”

Ronin went utterly still. “Lara…”

“I…I mean if you want to. If you don’t, then we?—”

One of his hands thrust into her hair at the back of her head, holding her in place as his lips again descended to lock with hers in a slow, sensuous, deep kiss. That familiar desire flared hotter, licking through her veins. She moaned against his mouth.

Ronin lifted his head, pulling away from the kiss. “Yes.”