“Yes.”
“I loved the kiss you gave me before. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Can we do it again?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’ve thought about it. I think now would be good.”
He smiled tenderly. “How about when you recover a little more.”
After a moment, she shifted in his arms so she could look at him. Pips jumped off her lap at the same time. “You have beautiful blue eyes. I think they’re one of your best features.” Her gaze dropped to his lips.
“How weak are you right now?” His voice had dropped into a lower timbre, a sound that teased her between her legs.
She sat up enough to slide an arm around his neck. “My garden is helping. And being with you as well, though I’m not sure why. You seem to have an effect on me and I’m coming back fast.”
She kissed him, her tongue rimming the soft fullness of his lips. She could feel her garden swaying around her, creating a breeze that carried an elixir of beautiful scents. Some were healing, others erotic. What she’d spent so much time nurturing, began to give back to her, renewing her energy with every breath, even as she kissed Connor.
The sissoo swayed above her as well.
When she drew back, Connor smoothed his fingers over her cheek. “You’re so beautiful, Iris.”
She felt him, felt his words and what lay beneath. She knew he’d been married before the alter, just as she had. But he hadn’t engaged in a serious relationship since. They were a lot alike.
Violet’s earlier words came back to her. Save Connor.
What had she meant by it?
“Connor,” she began, though no other words followed. She was still a little muddled, but getting stronger by the second.
“I’m here.” He searched her eyes, then leaned in and kissed her again, a brief touch of his lips to hers. “You feel like a dream to me, like you don’t really exist.”
At that, she smiled. “I know what you mean. I never thought I’d feel this way again.”
He drifted a series of sensual kisses over her lips, one after the other. “What way?”
/>
What had he asked? Oh, yes, the way she was feeling. She drew back enough to meet his gaze. “As though I could be in bed with you and stay there for a long time. Days maybe.”
“Is that how you feel?” He looked so serious.
She nodded.
“Iris.” His voice was low, hushed. “I think I’m falling for you.”
Her mind slipped back to earlier in the evening and seeing the red half-hearts on Jason and Sadie’s hands.
They’d been lovers.
A decade of loneliness swelled over her, putting an ache in her heart. “Me, too, but maybe we should stop.”
Connor’s gaze once more fell to her lips. “You’re right, we should.”
“Uh-huh.”
When she tilted her face, inviting him, he settled his lips on hers, but more forcefully this time. She moaned, her entire body lighting up. When she parted her lips, his tongue entered her, and he took his time searching the recesses of her mouth. Then he began to plunge, a beautiful prologue. She savored each thrust that quickly became a dedicated, very familiar rhythm.
When she pulled back, she was breathing hard. “Make love to me, Connor, right here in the garden. And right now. No more questions, or doubts, or anything. Just sex, because I think we both need this.”