He lifted his head quickly, his eyes running over her naked form with a look of unmistakable ownership.
“I told you to stay in bed.”
She grinned. “I was curious.”
“Why am I not surprised?” He softened the remark with a smile and stood. Now it was Lilah’s turn to study him. He was better than any Greek God; he was a picture of masculinity and virility. She had no doubt he could scale any building, swim any river, kill any beast and outrun a sand tiger. He was pure male sex-appeal.
She swallowed as her eyes dragged down his body and then back to his face. His smile was indulgent. “See something you like?”
Her nod was jerky.
Will groaned softly as he moved towards her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “What am I going to do about you, Jalilah Mazroui?”
“Me? What do you mean?”
“I told you there was danger here,” he said cryptically, kissing the top of her head. “Don’t you feel it?”
“I … I feel nothing but happy right now,” she said honestly, tilting her pretty face towards his.
“But what will you feel tomorrow? Or the day after? What will you feel when the time comes for us to return to the city?”
A shadow flicked across her features. “Don’t think of it.”
His smile was forced. “I won’t if you won’t.” He pulled on her hand gently, guiding her to the bath. “Care for a bath?”
“You will join me.” It was said in such a haughty, commanding tone that he laughed.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m sorry,” she winced. “Old habits. Will you join me?” She rephrased her command subtly, her eyes enormous as she stared up at him.
“I will.” He stepped into the bath and pressed his back against the porcelain of the bath. She stepped in afterwards, seating herself between his legs. It was not a large tub, and the only way to be comfortable was for Lilah to lean against his chest. Her breasts formed perfect circles in the top of the water. Will was hard again, with the feel of her skin and the sight of her naked body, caramel against the cream of the bath.
They sat in such a way for almost ten minutes, breathing in unison without speaking, simply feeling the lapping of the warm water, admiring the view beyond of the heavily wooded area capped with crisp white snow.
“Are you –,”
“You said –,” She paused and laughed. “Sorry, you were saying?”
“You go,” he demurred, dribbling water over her legs.
She leaned back towards him, an enigmatic smile curving her lips. “What is this place?”
“This place? It’s a national park.”
“I mean this cabin. You said it belongs to a friend of yours?”
And even though she couldn’t see him, she could feel his shift in emotions. There was a powerful connection between them. She understood his silence as though he’d spoken.
“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “One of the guys I met on my fifth assignment. We were in Iraq.”
“Is he still there?” She prompted, though a heavy weight in her heart was warning her that this was not a happy story.
“He died.” The words were as hard to say as ever. “Six months ago.”
“I’m sorry.” Lilah pressed her hands into his thighs, squeezing him reassuringly. “I’m so sorry.”
He dipped his head in acknowledgement.