Page 16 of The Rough Ride (Sanctuary, Inc. #3)

He hesitated with his response but decided to go for it, anyway. “If you ever question your safety, Liz, please don’t take any chances. Let me fix you up with some kind of security. Sanctuary, Inc. would be glad to help you out after all you’ve done for them.”

She rolled her eyes. “I am no senator in need of a bodyguard. Don’t go all Kung Fu and guns-blazing on me. Thank you, though.” She reached over and squeezed his hand. “You know, I’d forgotten how good you are at discussing a situation without really knowing the details.”

How could he make her understand? She was worth fifty senators to him.

He hadn’t seen her this uneasy about a job since the night before the minefield in Iraq.

She’d paced the barracks half sick with worry that she wasn’t the point person on the mission.

She couldn’t stand waiting for umpteen tiers of brass to decide what she was going to do in a situation where her own team wasn’t in place.

Liz had always functioned better in the alpha position, and 98% of the time, her decisions were spot-on.

Riding shotgun had never been her long suit .

“More wine or a coffee maybe?” Me, perhaps? No, he’d need to bide his time and be patient.

“No wine, it’ll make me sleepy. A decaf would be nice, though.” Liz got up and took their dishes to the sink and started running the hot water. “I can’t thank you enough for the delicious dinner, Sergeant. Your timing and food choices were impeccable.”

Nick rose and followed her to the kitchen.

“You’re welcome, and I haven’t forgotten how much you love Aunt Bertie’s chocolate chip cookies.

I had them deliver a bag fresh from the bakery.

Want one?” He really wanted her for dessert, but would she’d let that happen?

He grabbed a cookie, broke it in half, and stood behind her at the sink gently waving it in front of her.

“Want a bite?” The warmth of her body invited him closer, and he pressed against her.

“Oh, they have nuts. It’s a temptation I can’t resist.” She pulled the cookie in, took a bite. “Next bite is yours, mister. Watching the calories these days.”

He had nuts, too. Tempting nuts. Waiting for her soft bite.

He admired the gentle slope of her shoulder as it turned downward into a firm but feminine arm.

“Far be it from me to comment on your calorie intake, but from my vantage point it looks like you’ve put each and every one in the right place. ”

She chuckled. “That’s because you’ve always been a rear-view guy.”

He laughed. “Right.” His fingers slowly traced her back to her waist, down to her hips and up again. “You’re beautiful, babe. Inside and out. It’s nice to be with you and enjoy some time together.”

She turned the water off, braced her hands on the sink edge, and rotated her hips against his hard-on. “We’re definitely in the same emotional space, Nick. I’ve missed you. Terribly.”

Thank God. “And?”

“This is just what I need.” She let out a long sigh.

“I’ve longed for this, every day since Iraq.” He placed a hand on each hip and pinned her to the cabinet. Her bumping and his grinding threatened to set him off like an ill-timed firecracker in that position. He slacked off to regain control.

She whimpered, undid her skirt, and let it pool at her feet. “Please touch me. If you only knew how much—”

Her breathy plea became his only focus. “Shh, just feel, my love.”

He freed her dark hair from its holder and swept it to one side, tracing the sweet spots on her neck with his tongue. She shivered and reached back, pulling his hips close again. He could tolerate her gyrations this time, elated to feel their hips moving in unison.

“How do you want me, Liz?” His fingers danced down her hips and traced the outline of her lace underwear.

She was even more stunning than he remembered.

Her curves filled his hand and he was desperate to feel more, claim what was his.

She’d always been his greatest temptation and desire.

One moonless night ten years ago, she’d captured him, body and soul.

“Desperate, Nick. Want. You. Please.”

“Like this?” He slipped her panties down to mid-thigh and ran a finger through her crease.

She whimpered.

“There’s a nice big bed in the other room.”

“No, like this.” She threw her head back and sighed.

Of course, she wouldn’t choose the bed. A bed represented more than comfort to Liz—it depicted a kind of permanence.

This was a quick after dinner romp. For all he knew, she’d bolt from his life like she’d done after the Sanctuary rescue.

He tried to memorize the feel of her touch just in case the memory was all he had after tonight.

He slid an arm around her waist and slipped his other fingers into her slickened folds. She was so wet that his fingers easily swirled in and out and around. She bucked against his hand while he tightened his hold around her waist.

“I can’t hold back anymore,” she gasped with a moan.

“Let it go, Liz. Come for me, baby.” He set his cheek against hers and held on.

She shuddered and groaned aloud in his arms as her knees buckled. And then, what the hell? She started to cry, gasping for air at the same time. The seconds morphed into minutes until she confided in a quiet murmur, “I’ve never had an orgasm that made me cry.”

“I’ve got you, honey. I won’t let go.” A promise he intended to keep if she’d only let him.

She turned and unbuttoned his shirt, pulling him in for a tear-infused kiss. “I need you inside me.” She undid his belt and zipper, shoved the pants down—taking his boxers with them and setting his erection free. He toed-off his shoes and kicked them away.

He scooped her into his arms and set her on the chaise section of the couch. Damn furniture needed to be broken in anyway. Her hair fanned out underneath her like a mass of dark bronze silk in the fading amber light of dusk. She took his breath away.

“Please, Nick. Now. I want you.”

He almost asked if she wanted the prosthetic off, but she sat up, took hold of his shaft and stroked, fondling his balls. He couldn’t think straight. “Whoa, girl. Go easy. I want to savor this.”

He slid inside, inch by glorious inch. She was like home, warm and comfortable, and his. He inhaled her every breath with kisses, felt her quiver as she tumbled over the edge, and then shouted with his own release.

“I’ve been so lost without you.” She nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck and ran her fingers through his hair. “I love you.”

“You’re my everything, sweetie. Stay with me tonight.”

“I can’t, but come for dinner on Friday night. There’s so much I want to talk about.”

The exhilaration of their lovemaking faded with her refusal to spend the night. Love had never been their problem. Permanence was.

He set his head on top of hers and let the hurt wash over him. Why won’t you stay, Liz? What is more important than us? He swallowed the angst and focused on her invitation. “Did you learn how to cook?” He kissed her nose. It tasted of dried tears.

She chuckled. “Very funny, but I’ve become pretty good with a crockpot.”

Hell, to do this again, just skip the food. “Yes, to dinner at your place on Friday. Whatever you make or order will be delicious.” He slid his hardening cock into her tight channel and punctuated his point with a couple thrusts.

Her lips parted, and she wrapped her legs around him again. “Ooh, you feel good, so deep, and so damn good.” She took his mouth in a wanton kiss. “You’re everything I wanted tonight, Sergeant. Let’s do it slow this time.”

A half hour later, as he tucked her in her car to leave for home, she took his face in her hands. “You’re the love of my life. Don’t ever forget that. Okay?”

He kissed her cheek and nibbled her bottom lip. “I love you, too. Drive safe. I’ll see you Friday.”

As she drove away, his brows furrowed. She’d said she loved him. Then why did her words leave him with a sense of dread?

Like they stood on the edge of something unknown that might rip them apart.