“Wow. This place is... beautiful.” Her eyes opened wide as she took in the scenery.
Pulling her into his arms, he said, “Yes, you are.”
She laughed. “I haven’t had a shower in two days, and I look like I’ve been beaten. You’re either tired or blind.”
“There are other reasons that we can discuss later. I do agree; a shower sounds good.” Letting her go, he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it to the ground. Pointing to the waterfall, he asked, “Care to join me?”
Alex kicked off his shoes, removed his belt, jeans, and socks. Standing in his boxers, he waited for her to respond. By the curl of her lips, she contemplated his offer. Her eyes focused on his left thigh. I’d forgotten about that.
“What happened?” she asked, as she stepped over and touched the wound gently.
Ziva might’ve been trying to soothe the pain, but she created an entirely different ache within him.
“Just a graze. Nothing to worry about.”
“You were shot?”
“No. Rajani was shot. This is just a flesh wound. Actually, cleaning it in the water is probably a good idea.” Not that he thought she needed any encouragement to join him, but he didn’t want to stand there talking about anything right now. He felt his cock begging to be released. Alex wanted her but didn’t want to rush her.
She looked as though she doubted what he told her. Then he ran his fingers over the injury and said, “See, it’s fine.” Of course it hurt like hell, but he wouldn’t admit that. If he were home, he would’ve gone to his brother Logan to get a few stitches. Until she brought it up, he had no idea how bad it was. Graze may be an exaggeration.
She must’ve bought it because she turned and looked at the water. “Is there anything in there that bites?”
He laughed. Here he was trying to be romantic, and her concern was for creatures that might be lurking around. “Not that I’ve experienced before.”
Ziva turned to him again and said, “So you’ve brought other... people here before?”
She almost sounded jealous. No one had ever cared who he was with or when. It was odd, but he liked it. “No. I’ve only been here alone. And now with you.”
She smiled as though that’s what she’d been waiting to hear. He watched as she pulled off her T-shirt and removed her shorts. She wasn’t one who wore fancy lace bra and panty sets. Ziva was practical, even in the choice of her undergarments. Both white cotton. Would’ve shocked me more if you were wearing a thong.
Alex saw various cuts and bruises along her body. She’d been put through hell these last two days. He wanted to hold her and tell her it’d never happen again. That was in the past, and he didn’t want to bring it up. Not now. They both needed healing and not only physically.
He walked past her and entered the water. It was cool but not cold. He went to the waterfall side where it was more than chest deep. Turning, he watched Ziva stick her toe into the water to check the temperature. Or to see if anything besides me wants to take a nibble.
She surpassed everything he expected: touching the water with a single toe, rushing in and diving under the water, and coming up beside him. When she stood, he wished he were the water droplets clinging to every inch of her body. Dropping, he submerged completely then came back up.
“Alex, do you see those purple flowers growing along the edge? It’s lavender. Do you think you can get me some?”
“I’d rather stay here with you, but your wish is my command.” Alex wasn’t going to admit he couldn’t refuse her anything. He wasn’t ready to relinquish that power.
Climbing along the edge of the waterfall, he grabbed a large handful and brought it to her. She took one of the stems, pulled the flowers off, rubbed the flowers between her hands, then rubbed her hands on her arms and upper body. A sweet aroma filled the air. Finally, she ran her hands through her hair and dove under the water to rinse off. When she popped up beside Alex all he could think was how damn good she smelled. Good enough to eat.
Ziva reached out and took another stem, rubbing her hands together once again. This time, after rubbing the flower briskly between her hands, she brought her hands up to glide over his arms and chest. “Turn around please.”
He didn’t want to as her hands felt amazing on him. But she was enjoying it, so he wasn’t about to stop her. Alex allowed her to clean him just as she had herself. It was very intimate. After he’d rinsed off, he tossed the remaining flowers onto the shore. They could use them again later. Right now, I want one thing. To hold and kiss every inch of your lovely body that’s been teasing me since you undressed.
He pushed past his own desires and remembered she’d been through hell and back. They also had a lot to discuss. Things she deserved to know. He took her by the hand and led her away from the pond to a bed of soft grass that was perfect for sitting. All the comforts of nature.
“I figured you might want to talk.”
Ziva stopped dead in her tracks. Alex turned to face her, expecting to see concern or seriousness. Instead, she had a wild look in her eyes. She gave his hand a tug, encouraging him to come back to her. He was more than willing to oblige.
“Can’t we talk later?” Her voice was throaty with need. She went up on her tip-toes and still couldn’t reach his lips, so he bent to give her access. The kiss was better than the one they’d shared before. This one started off hot and explosive.
She parted her lips, and his tongue entered her mouth, twisting around hers, teasing and letting her know what was to come. Ziva took all he offered and then took control, entering his mouth and claiming all of him as well. When he pulled back, she clung to him, drawing him back to her.
Alex was on fire. His cock throbbed with need, and every cell in his body wanted to touch her. I need to taste every sweet inch of you. Nothing would stop him now. They wanted and needed each other. As his kisses deepened, his tongue filled her mouth again, and her body melted against his. She began to explore, running her hands over his chest and biceps; his muscles tightened everywhere her fingers made contact.