Hal looked down at her. “I’m too tall.”
“Thanks for not saying, ‘You’re too short,’” she replied. “Kneel down.”
She had meant it only so she could do him the same sensual favor he had done her. But he knelt to her like a knight before a queen, going down on one knee to swear fealty and protection.
Ellie had seen a drawing of that in a book she’d read as a child. The image came back vividly to her mind as Hal knelt before her with his head lowered. Clear water cascaded over the powerful muscles of his shoulders and back.
The knight in the story had offered the queen his sword, saying, “My life for you.” And the queen had sent him out to do battle on her behalf.
Ellie wondered just how far Hal would go to protect her.
She hoped she’d never have to find out. With any luck, his intimidating size and presence alone would scare off Nagle’s goons.
Trying to push away thoughts of Nagle, Ellie busied herself shampooing Hal’s hair. It was short but not military-short, thick enough for her to run her fingers through. It looked black when it was wet. She rubbed shampoo into it, massaging his scalp as he’d massaged hers. He gave a long sigh of dreamy pleasure, and leaned his head against her side.
When she finally moved the showerhead to rinse out the shampoo, Hal opened his hazel eyes and looked up at her. “You’re the first woman who’s ever done that for me.”
She combed through his wet hair, enjoying its smooth caress between her fingers. “Those other women missed out.”
Hal stood up, and they began to soap each other. Ellie couldn’t decide which was sexier, running her soapy hands all over Hal’s body, or feeling his huge yet gentle hands caressing her. Her nipples hardened and her breath quickened under his touch.
He bent to kiss her, and she felt his own hardness as she pressed up against him. The suds were slippery between their bodies, the running water a sensual tease. Hal put his hand between her thighs, stroking and teasing her slick folds. She could feel her own liquid heat running out and over his fingers. Her clit felt almost unbearably sensitive. Even the lightest stroke of his fingertips made her shudder with pleasure.
Her eyes shut, she reached out blindly and found his steely rod. She closed her fingers around it, and felt Hal’s own shudder of excitement. His delicate skin slid over the rock-hard flesh beneath as she moved her hand up and down his shaft.
Heat pooled in her belly and sent out sparks throughout her body, each one setting its own little fire. She was trembling uncontrollably, caught up in the pleasure of his touch. He caressed her folds, her clit, and her inner walls, and she felt herself pulse around his fingers.
“I—” she heard herself stammer. “I’m almost— almost—”
She ground herself against his hand, rubbing herself against his soft skin, his hard bones. He pushed back, giving her a stronger touch. Her fists clenched and her muscles tensed, her entire body moving toward orgasm. Then she was over the edge, crying out with the strength of her climax.
For a long, lovely moment, she enjoyed the fluttering pulses of the aftershocks, each one a pleasure in its own right. Then Ellie returned her attention to Hal. Her eyes still closed, focused only on the senses other than sight, she stroked him steadily, listening to his breathing grow deeper and faster as she sent him to the brink.
“Ellie—” he gasped.
His seed jetted on to her belly, a splash of heat almost immediately washed away. She looked up at him, blinking through the water. Hal was leaning back against the wall, his head tipped back, his eyes closed. He looked so relaxed and happy.
He opened his eyes, and she knew from the tenderness in his smile that he was seeing her as she saw him, as something precious he’d been lucky to find. “You’re so beautiful after you make love. Did you know that your cheeks turn pink?”
“They do?”
He nodded and kissed each one. “Like roses.”
They dried each other off, and then Hal wrapped a towel around his waist. “Hang on. I’ll get your clothes.”
He took off, and returned fully clothed in black jeans, a blue shirt, and a heavy black overcoat. He carried a suitcase in one hand, and a bundle under his other arm.
He pushed the suitcase toward her. “Here you go. I had some of my team check out your apartment yesterday. Destiny packed your clothes. She figured you’d rather have a woman do it.”
“Yeah.” Ellie was glad to have her own clothes to wear, but she didn’t like the thought of someone going through them, even if it was another woman. “So, I can go back to my apartment now?”
Hal shook his head. “Not yet. I’m putting in a security system, and it’s still being installed. It’ll take another day or so. Meanwhile, you need to wear this.”
He held out the bundle. It was a heavy-looking black vest.
“Bullet-proof?” Ellie asked.
“Yeah. I’ll show you how to wear it. First, put on a bra and a light tank top.”