His voice was unyielding as always. “You saved me from going back to a life that was killing me. How?”
It was a valid question. All of this was useful discussion, but I wanted to kiss him. Leaning forward, the smell of cedar and Stuart filled my senses. His strong arms supported me, and my lips grazed his as I answered.
“I told you. It was a dream.”
His mouth covered mine, demanding as always. He kissed me like I was a country to be liberated, and he was the Marine for the job. Tongues collided, another small noise ached from my throat. Fire sizzled under my skin.
Leaning back, he breathed in my hair, his lips grazed my ear. The scruff of his beard sent sparks down my limbs as he spoke. “I’m so sorry I didn’t trust you. I’m so sorry I thought you lied.”
Tears burned in my eyes. I clutched at his biceps, his strong shoulders. I wanted to feel his skin. “I should have told you everything.”
His lips pulled at mine again. Hungry kisses moved my mouth over and over as he desperately quelled the pain that had nearly torn me apart. I was against the wall, and he was between my legs.
“I never gave you the chance.” He kissed a line to my ear, pulling my earlobe between his teeth, giving me a little nip.
I felt his erection against my thighs, massaging between my legs. I wanted to lose the leggings, lose all our clothes and make crazy love.
“I’m covered in paint,” I gasped.
He lowered me and looked around the small room. “We should give you a shower.”
That white-hot memory flashed in my mind. My voice was trembling and eager when I answered him. “Okay.” I was on my feet and following him across the hall to my bathroom.
“Lift your arms.” He was giving orders again, and I followed gladly. I reached up, and he swept his grey Henley over my head and off.
His breath hissed when he saw me topless. Rough hands rose to cup my breasts, thumbs circled my nipples, and ecstatic desire roared through my body. How I had longed for this moment.
Lowering his caress, he touched the line of stars covering my left side. “This is new.” He leaned down and lightly kissed it, tracing a sizzling trail up my hips.
“I got it for our night under the stars.” He leaned up, eyes full of longing. “The night I made the wish.”
“You never told me what you wished for.”
“I’m still hoping it’s coming true.”
Cupping my cheeks, he kissed me softly this time, pulling first my top lip then my bottom between his. “I love it.”
I could barely take the anticipation. “Now you.” Lifting the navy shirt he wore, I smoothed it off, running my hands up and over his broad shoulders. I rested my nose against his skin, breathing deeply. “You smell so good.”
Strong arms gathered me up, and once again our bodies were skin to skin. A part-groan, part-sigh rose from both of us.
He leaned down to find my mouth with his, and we were lost in a deep kiss. I could only follow along wherever he planned to take me.
This reunion was so unexpected and sweet and incredibly welcome, it ached in my bones.
Releasing me, he stepped back to turn on the shower. Water roared against the back wall. I was still clutched against his firm torso, and his light sprinkling of chest hair teased my nipples. I was so wet. I dropped my face against his shoulder, pressing my lips to his skin, touching it with my tongue.
We had to talk about what happened, what brought him here, but for now I didn’t want to look my gift horse in the mouth. I wanted to hold him, love him, let him surround me, take away all the pain. I’m feeling no pain now. I smiled remembering his words.
“What?” His eyes were back on me.
“I was thinking of our last shower. We got dirty while getting clean.”
“I’d like to get dirtier.”
Passion bubbled in my veins in the most pleasing way as he led me into the small, rectangular space. He was behind me under the steaming hot water, and his hands slipped up my torso. Strong hands cupped my breasts while long fingers pinched the tight tips.
Dropping my head back on his shoulder, I let out a moan. His erection was at my back now, and I wanted him inside me. In one fluid motion he turned us. “Put your hands on the wall.”