Читать книгу Four Weddings - Fiona Lowe - Страница 14
ОглавлениеAFTER BEING IN the countryside, the full-on hustle of Hanoi hit Bec like a ton of bricks. They’d flown in from Hué. Now the regional city suddenly seemed like a peaceful, rural village in comparison with chaotic Hanoi.
Their driver abruptly changed lanes, narrowly missing a bicycle so laden with fresh flowers that the woman riding it was barely visible. He then headed south around Hoan Kiem Lake.
Tom stretched, his long arms hitting the ceiling of the vehicle. Deep lines of fatigue surrounded his eyes. ‘Won’t be long now. It will be good to be home again for a while.’ He gave her a grin, his eyes dancing cheekily. ‘You can have that bubble bath you wanted.’
She sighed in anticipation. ‘I can. And I plan to.’ She turned to face him, stifling a giggle, trying to ace him on his friendly flirting. ‘So take this as advance warning—the bathroom will be occupied and out of bounds for at least an hour.’ She raised her brows. ‘And the door will be locked.’
He stroked his chin, deep in contemplation. ‘Take as long as you like. I’ll be busy.’
‘Really?’ She’d thought he’d at least take the rest of the day to recover before dealing with outstanding issues tomorrow.
‘Yep. This job can’t wait. While you’re having a bath, I’ll be fixing the cracked bathroom window.’
‘You devil.’ She gave him a gentle push. ‘I’ll have you know I have industrial-strength bubbles.’
He laughed. ‘In that case, I could be up the ladder a long time.’
His arm gently rested across the back of the seat, his fingers barely brushing her shoulder.
She relaxed her head against his arm, a sense of contentment washing through her. She knew his teasing meant nothing and he had no plans to watch her take a bath. She couldn’t believe she could exchange banter with a man like this and be safe. But Tom not only made her feel safe but protected. She felt sheltered in his friendship, she enjoyed the fact that with him she could let her guard down and be herself.
So much had changed in a short time. It was hard to comprehend that it had only been five weeks ago that she’d begged him to take her with him on the trip. The cholera outbreak had extended the entire journey by an extra three weeks but now her ‘Vietnam orientation’ was coming to an end.
Tom had been very quiet on the flight back. An unusual tension seemed to surround him. But she hadn’t pushed him about it. She didn’t feel like talking, either. Everything was about to change.
The time she’d spent with him in villages dotted across Vietnam had been brilliant. The best times of your life.
The unwanted thoughts wove into her, making themselves part of her with their clawing sadness. Today it would all come to an end. Tom would continue with his work and she had to make a decision about how best to use her money.
The dull throb under her ribs kicked into action, its ache becoming painfully familiar. She breathed in deeply, trying to empty her mind. Right now she didn’t want to think about any of it.
The driver pulled up outside the ornate iron gates of the villa and quickly unloaded their gear. Tien met them at the door with cold, damp towels and deliciously refreshing iced lemon and lime juice diluted with mineral water.
‘Oh, I think I’m in heaven.’ Bec smiled at Tien, enjoying the coolness of the towel on her face and hands.
‘Tom!’ A man with bright red hair, glinting golden in the sunshine, bounded down the curved, terrazzo staircase, his energy filling the room. ‘Mate, it’s great to see you.’ He shook Tom’s hand enthusiastically with his right hand and thumped him on the back with his left.
What was it about men and their overwhelmingly physical greetings? Bec almost expected him to finish off the welcome by putting Tom in a headlock.
‘Jason. How was the holiday?’ Tom extricated his hand from the man’s enthusiastic grip.
‘Fantastic. Caught up with the rels, and then I rode a 750 cc bike across the Nullarbor and soaked up the space. I didn’t realise how much I missed the wide open spaces of Australia or the low population, but after a year in Vietnam, it was the tonic I needed.’
His voice suddenly deepened, its tone becoming serious. ‘You should visit the farm soon, Tom. Don’t leave it too long.’ Without waiting for a reply, he turned quickly and faced Bec, his expression open and questioning.
‘Jason, meet Bec Monahan.’ Tom made the introductions.
‘Ah!’ Recognition sparked in his blue eyes. ‘You’re the nurse with a plan and the money to execute it. We need to talk.’ He shot out his hand.
Bec grasped it. ‘So you’re the Jason Tom suggested I speak to.’
‘That’s me.’ His eyes twinkled with a wicked glint. ‘But Tom quickly whisked you off to far-flung places before we could talk.’
‘You were in Australia at the time.’ Tom’s voice came out in an uncharacteristic growl. ‘She needed to experience the health issues firsthand before she could make a decision. That’s why she came on the trip.’
A flicker of a frown creased Jason’s brow as he glanced quickly at Tom before focusing his attention back on Bec. ‘I’m very keen to sit down and talk to you in detail about all the projects Health For Life is involved in or wishes to be involved in.’ All signs of the Aussie lad had vanished. Jason had his professional, philanthropic hat on, and his sincerity shone through.
Excitement fizzed in her veins. ‘I’d really like that. I have a few ideas I want to run by you before I interview other agencies.’
‘Fantastic.’ He pulled out a palm-top. ‘Now—’
Tom interrupted. ‘She needs some time to catch her breath, Jason. We’ve worked flat out for five weeks in rough conditions. Right now we both need some time out. Surely tomorrow would be soon enough to talk.’
Jason’s brows rose sharply at Tom’s protective tone. ‘Actually, I was going to suggest we set a date next week because tomorrow neither of you will be here.’
‘What?’ Bec and Tom’s voices harmonised in surprise.
Jason grinned at them. ‘The X-ray machine finally arrived for the provincial hospital in Hon Gin.’
‘Sensational!’ Tom exclaimed. He turned to Bec, his face alive with exhilaration. ‘We’ve been working toward this for this for a long time. Hon Gin is a coalmining town, and the streets are literally paved in coal and the air is filled with coal dust.’
Understanding dawned. ‘And many locals have pneumoconiosis. But why does that mean we’re not going to be here tomorrow?’
‘There’s going to be an official handing-over ceremony of the machine on Wednesday and the people’s committee of the province always like to have a doctor at such an occasion.’ Jason tilted his head. ‘So that means Tom has to go. In fact, they like a crowd and as you’ve given your time so generously to Health For Life over the last five weeks, the Health For Life board would like you to accompany Tom to the ceremony.’
It means more time with Tom.
She shook away the unprofessional thought. Accepting the invitation on those grounds was hardly ethical. ‘That’s very kind of you, but I haven’t had anything to do with raising funds for the machine so surely someone else should attend. Wouldn’t it be a bit odd for me to be there?’
Jason shrugged. ‘No, not at all. We’re helping the committee keep face. The more the merrier. We’re not a huge organisation and as I’ve only just got back from leave and the other doctors are busy, it makes sense for the two of you to go.’
She glanced at Tom, trying to gauge how he felt about the idea of her accompanying him, but his face was devoid of all expression. It’s just work, part of the job. Part of his job.
‘You’d really be helping us out,’ Jason implored her.
His words eased her guilty pleasure at wanting to spend more time with Tom. After all, it was work, not pleasure.
‘Sure. Happy to help.’
‘Wonderful. OK, I’d better get back to work and you’ll want to do some washing and repack. The driver will pick you both up at 8.30 in the morning.’ Jason turned to leave.
‘Hang on,’ Tom called across the foyer. ‘Tomorrow’s Tuesday.’
‘Didn’t you say the ceremony was on Wednesday?’ Bec’s words collided with Tom’s.
Jason spun back, a suppressed smile hovering on his face. ‘Part of the thank-you package from the people’s committee in Hon Gin was a private overnight cruise on one of the many Halong Bay boats.’
Bec’s mouth dried at the thought of being alone on a boat overnight with Tom. Not that she feared him. Not at all. She feared herself. ‘But—’
‘You have to go.’ Jason threw her a stern look. ‘It would be extremely rude not to take up the hospitality, and keeping face here is everything.’ Then his face split into a wide smile. ‘Remember to pack your bathers.’ He walked off chuckling.
‘Halong Bay is a world heritage listed area, Bec.’ Tom’s voice broke into her chaotic thoughts. ‘Every Vietnamese longs to visit. The scenery is breathtaking.’
She knew it would be. Tom in bathers, his golden chest exposed to sunlight … now, that would be breath-stopping. Dealing with it would be something else entirely.
* * *
‘Just as well it’s a digital camera.’ Tom laughed as Bec snapped her camera at yet another one of the three thousand jagged, spectacular limestone karsts, which rose majestically from aquamarine-coloured water. ‘I think you’ll find you have a hundred photos of much the same thing.’
‘Philistine. Besides, everyone needs a photo of the teapot.’ She aimed her camera toward the oddly shaped karst with its outcrops of rock that did look like a teapot spout. Then she swung around and took a photo of him, her face alive with excitement.
His body vibrated with heat. She had no idea of the effect she had on him. How he breathed more deeply when she was close, just to get the scent of her. How he created reasons to touch her and made them appear platonic. How the sound of her laughter made everything around him seem brighter, and that her empathy for Vietnam connected her to him like no other person.
The deities were mocking him, sending her into his life now. She deserved a man’s love and undivided attention. He couldn’t offer her that. And he couldn’t ask her for anything else. Friendship was all they had and yet it was nothing like any friendship he’d ever experienced.
The hum of the boat’s engine lulled them into a lazy haze of relaxation as they puttered around the karsts, and in and out of small bays.
‘I have no idea how the captain knows where he’s going. It all looks the same to me.’ Bec leaned over the teak railing, breathing out a sigh of satisfaction. ‘This is the most amazing place I’ve ever been to. I love the idea of the legend that a dragon’s tail carved out the bays.’
‘See over there.’ Tom extended his right arm.
‘See what?’ She peered ahead.
Leaning in close he dropped his left hand onto her shoulder and lifted her right arm to point in the correct direction. ‘Look along there, a third of the way up the karst.’
‘Oh, I see. Is that a cave where the greenery stops and the grey starts?’
He nodded. ‘That’s right.’ He forced his voice to sound casually friendly even though he desperately wanted to pull her into his chest and trail kisses along the curve of her neck. ‘There are vast caves all around this area. They’ve been used for all sorts of things. The French used them as cool storage for food before exporting around the world and the Vietnamese used them as training areas and hospitals for wounded soldiers, but the most amazing story of all is that Kublai Khan, the Mongolian emperor, was defeated here, using the high tide and bamboo sticks.’
‘That’s pretty awesome. So, it’s a significant area for lots of reasons. I read in the guide book that one cave is a temple for fertility.’
‘Yeah, but that particular piece of rock where people worship doesn’t look anything like a teapot.’ He dropped his arm from her shoulder, immediately missing the contact.
A small sampan passed by with a woman and three young children on board. Bec smiled and waved. ‘Looks like the fertility cave is doing its job.’
He gave a wry smile. ‘There are plenty of kids in Vietnam. We have one of the youngest populations in the world.’
Bec continued waving to the children, her gaze fixed on them. ‘What about you? Do you plan to add to the number?’
Her question came out of left field, assaulting his defences. He immediately deflected the question.
‘Mum would love to be a grandmother. She’s never happier than when she’s up to her elbows in play dough, paint and glitter glue.’ He laughed. ‘She’s still working as a kinder assistant to get her fix. Dad teases her but he’s just as bad. He enjoys teaching some of the wayward kids woodwork and he gets them down in the milking shed, mucking out. He reckons there’s nothing quite like getting kids working with animals to help them see the world in a new light.’
Bec’s expression took on a dreamy look. ‘I bet your mum baked cakes and helped out in the classroom.’ Her voice suddenly dropped in volume. ‘And your dad watched you play sport, and insisted on teaching you how to change the tractor oil.’
Somehow she made the ordinary, everyday things of his childhood sound extraordinary. An incredibly clear image of his dad suddenly projected itself into his memory—Dad walking into the kitchen from the milking shed, a broad smile on his weather-beaten face, a billy of creamy milk in one hand and his other hand raised in greeting. An unexpected wave of homesickness rolled through him.
The boat dropped anchor, the rumble of the chain loud in the silence.
‘Tom, you avoided answering my question.’
Her firm voice broke into his thoughts. She’d pinned him down and he knew her well enough now to know it was easier to just answer. He shrugged. ‘I don’t know if I’ll have kids. I have no medical history so I could be passing on a genetic illness.’
Her violet eyes flashed with disbelief. ‘You’re not serious?’
He kept his voice steady, belying the ire that streaked through him. ‘Why wouldn’t I be serious?’
Concentration lines appeared on the bridge of her nose. ‘I understand that as an adoptee you have no idea of your parents’ medical history, but many of us don’t have much of a clue. My mother died when I was too young to have asked the questions and I was estranged from my father. My aunt has some idea but I have a black hole on my father’s side.’
‘And doesn’t it worry you that you could carry a predisposition to a genetic illness?’ He folded him arms across his chest.
‘Doesn’t it worry you that this boat could sink right now?’
‘That’s hardly a comparison.’ He heard his ‘I’m the doctor, I know best’ tone. The one that made his mother purse her lips.
Bec raised her brows and matched his crossed-arms stance. ‘Yes, it is. You’re saying you want certainty but nothing is certain in life. This boat could sink on this trip but you took the trip anyway.’
Her logic chafed like prickly heat. ‘Right, so your decision not to have children based on not risking a relationship is more valid than mine based on a lack of scientific data.’
A tremor of tension raced across her shoulders. ‘I think you’re living your life based on facts, and facts don’t always give the true picture. What about the fact you could be giving a child the most wonderful grandparents?’
Frustration bubbled in his veins. He spun away from her. ‘Don’t romanticise my childhood.’
‘Why not? From where I’m standing, it sounds pretty good to me.’
Her words tore at him. Her childhood had been far from good. He turned back. She stood small and determined, her chin jutting forward, her lips plump and firm and her breasts straining against her shirt.
All his indignation fled.
The need to protect clashed with the need to haul her against him and kiss her senseless. Think friendship. ‘We’re spending the day in one of the most beautiful places in the world so why are we disagreeing?’
She wrinkled her nose. ‘You’re right.’
He feigned surprise. ‘Can I have that in writing?’
She rolled her eyes. ‘No such luck, but I will concede that Halong Bay deserves nothing less than harmony and understanding.’
‘And swimming.’ They needed to have some fun and put their differences aside. ‘The crew have taken a picnic over to that little beach you can see. They’ve left food, towels and kayaks. We’ve got a few hours while they take a siesta here on the boat.’ As he pulled his T-shirt over his head, he talked through the fabric. ‘It’s a tradition to enter the water from the deck of the boat and swim to the beach.’
He raised his head as he dropped the shirt to the deck. Eyes like large purple pools met his gaze, backlit with swirling emotions.
His solar plexus took a hit. Raw, intense need pounded him as he glimpsed desire emerging from the swirl in her eyes.
She swallowed as a flare of fear darkened her eyes.
Fool. ‘Can’t you swim?’
She shook her head. ‘Oh, no, I can swim. I’m a good Aussie girl and was dispatched to swimming lessons from the age of five.’
‘Great.’ He gave her a reassuring smile. ‘Well, there’s no need to be scared of the jump. I’ll go first and demonstrate.’ He climbed quickly to the highest point wanting to kick himself that he’d even thought he’d seen desire in her gaze. It had just been fear at the thought of jumping from the deck of a boat into the water.
She’s your friend. Nothing more, nothing less.
With an almighty whoop he freed his mind from the jumble of clashing emotions and jumped off the boat. Clutching his knees, he embraced the four-metre drop, bombing into the clear water below.
Salty water encased him, the exhilaration of the jump propelling him again to the surface. He pushed his arms forward and swam around the boat, using the exercise to put his libido back in its box. He rounded the stern and looked up.
Bec stood at the highest point of the boat. Two tiny pieces of blue and pink Lycra were moulded to her body, concealing little and emphasising every delicious curve and contour.
Blood raced around his body. Suddenly the water wasn’t anywhere near cold enough.
For weeks she’d hidden her lithe body under baggy trousers and blouses, leaving everything to his imagination. His imagination had failed to do her justice.
Her voice called out, ‘What’s the water like?’
‘Fine.’ Had his voice sounded strangled?
‘So I just jump?’ She peered over the side, nibbling her bottom lip.
His blood pounded faster. Impossibly, even more blood surged to his groin. ‘Yep, it doesn’t matter that you can’t dive, just jump. It’s great fun and there’s nothing to be afraid of. Enjoy the leap, it’s quite cathartic.’ He spread his arms out. ‘I’m right here when you land and I promise I’ll protect you from any lurking dragons.’
‘OK.’ She elongated the word, her hesitancy clear as her voice trailed off. Leaning forward, she extended her arms high above her head, the action pushing her breasts up and out against the flimsy Lycra.
He gave an internal groan.
She flexed her legs and, rising up on her toes, pushed off the deck, executing a perfect dive.
Mesmerised, he watched her taut hands slice through the water, her body following in superb fluid motion, the dive ending with the tiniest flick of water as her toes disappeared under the surface.
Incredulity tangoed with delight. She continued to amaze him in every way. Who would have thought she could dive like a professional?
Kicking up, she broke the surface, teasing devilment on her face. ‘Good dive, was it?’
‘You rotter.’ He splashed her and tried to sound indignant as laughter shook him. ‘Here I was being all chivalrous, a knight in shining armour, promising to slay dragons and rescue you if you needed it, and you took advantage of my good nature.’
She grinned. ‘Sorry, I couldn’t resist it. I also had years of diving lessons. I shall restore your honour.’ She flailed her arms about and slipped back under the water for a moment and then rose out again. Passing her hand across her forehead, she feigned distress. ‘Oh, gallant sir, please help a maiden in distress.’ She gasped overdramatically then disappeared again under the water.
Joining in the fun, he dived under the water. Slipping his left arm around her waist, he pulled her toward him, holding her back tightly against his chest.
They broke the surface together, her body wriggling deliciously against his, sending sparks of need shuddering through him.
She trod water, giggling and started to pull away from him, her hand against his forearm. ‘You are too kind, sir. Thank you for rescuing me.’
Two could play at this game. He whispered against her ear, ‘I haven’t finished rescuing you yet.’
‘Oh.’ The word came out on a breath as she stiffened slightly, before completely relaxing against him, her legs tangling with his.
It scared him to think about how good it felt to have her in his arms. He assumed the rescue position, his left arm holding her head above water and his right arm propelling them toward the tiny strip of sand.
His feet touched sand and he stood up in water up to his chest. He swung her around to face him, his arms loosely circling her waist.
She tilted her head and raised her brows. ‘I didn’t know knights could swim. I thought they were pretty useless without their horses and their swords.’
‘Careful.’ His arms tightened around her, pulling her gently toward him, holding her body against his. Her length lined his and her ankles twined around his calves. ‘Cheeky maidens can be thrown back.’ His voice came out low and hoarse.
Humour danced in her eyes. ‘I apologise most sincerely.’ Laughing, she hooked his gaze and suddenly all traces of fun vanished, replaced with a look so serious it seared him. She gazed up at him, her eyes dark violet, shimmering brightly with undisguised need. Tiny droplets of water clung to the tips of her thick brown lashes, and a pulse fluttered at the base of her throat.
It took every ounce of willpower not to flick the droplets off with his tongue.
‘Thank you for rescuing me, Tom.’
She spoke softly, the sound evaporating so quickly it was almost as if the words had not been said. But the echo of the message resonated loud and clear, vibrating in his chest.
Tilting her head forward, she pressed her lips gently against his cheek.
The touch was brief, a light caress. But the softness and warmth of her lips sent a riot of sensation ricocheting through him, making every part of him vibrate with suppressed longing.
She trusts me. The warning sounded faintly in the recesses of his mind.
She wants me. Need dominated.
Weeks of concealed emotions exploded inside him, pushing every rational thought from his head. He couldn’t hold back any longer. He needed her arms around his neck, her legs around his waist, her lips against his own. He needed her now like he needed air.
For the first time in forever he was living for the moment. Taking what was on offer, no questions asked.
Bec’s lips tingled, deliciously grazed from the stubble on Tom’s cheeks. She looked up into eyes alive with a smoking desire that matched her own.
Had she been standing on the sand she would have melted against him, her legs unable to hold her.
His desire-filled gaze swirled with tumbling emotions. Adoration and reverence emerged, penetrating deep into her soul, warming all of her, releasing parts of her she’d locked away. Freeing her. This amazing man had rescued her, opened her world and taught her to trust again.
This man she loved.
The thought rocked her through to her toes. She loved him. Oh, God, she loved him.
She waited for the fear to grip her heart.
She braced herself, waiting for all the reasons to flood her brain and tell her why this was a bad idea.
She waited for the overwhelming urge to flee.
None came.
Instead, peace and tranquility, linked with a sense of belonging, slid through her.
This was right. This time, with this man, she’d got it right. This man who was her friend, her confidant and her mentor. Her partner, the future father of longed-for children.
She wanted him. She wanted to mesh this amazing psychological bond they shared with a physical one.
She lifted her head up, greeting his lips as he slanted his mouth across hers. Tenderness, mixed with a restrained firmness sent shuddering ribbons of wonder swirling through her.
Her heart cried out in joy. He was waiting for her to tell him she wanted him, too.
She flicked her tongue against his lips. He tasted of salt. Of heat. Of thundering need—all the flavours she knew he would taste on her. She plunged her fingers into his thick hair and opened her mouth to his.
His restraint fell away and with a groan he plundered her mouth, taking what she offered him. His tongue explored, each flicking caress spiralling her need for him higher and higher.
His arms tightened around her—lust simmering with tenderness. He drew her so closely against him that not even water separated them.
It wasn’t close enough.
She felt him hard against her thigh. A thrill of secret power shot through her that she could do this to him. Her nipples responded, firming into peaks, pressing against his chest, tingling and tight. Aching. Aching for his touch.
His mouth moved from hers, trailing kisses along her neck and up along her ear. Butterfly-light kisses with pinpoint accuracy. Each kiss zeroed in, showering her in waves of quivering shivers.
Glorious sensation racked her. She threw back her head, her shoulders following, letting him and the water support her. Begging for him to extend his wondrous touch.
‘You’re completely stunning, Bec.’ His deep voice pulsated through her. ‘You’ve hidden amazing treasure under baggy clothing. I’ve spent hours fantasising about what you look like naked, and the reality will far exceed expectation.’
‘Really?’ The needy girl inside her rose up.
His gaze, hot and simmering, burned into hers. ‘Believe it.’ He pushed the Lycra aside, his thumb grazing a breast in decreasing circles, the touch bringing pleasure and exquisite pain exploding in mini-bursts all through her body.
Despite being in the water, fire raced across her skin, her breath becoming ragged gasps. She’d never been touched like this before, with such reverence. Such adoration.
He groaned and lowered his mouth, covering her breast, his tongue flicking slowly at her nipple before giving in to his hunger for her and taking it into his mouth.
Showers of silver light reined down on her. Her body took over from her brain, taking her into another realm, completely centred on the glorious sensations that streaked through her.
She bucked against him, the throbbing deep within her crying out for his touch. She moved to touch him, wanting to feel her hands in his hair, have her lips explore his face, but his hand slid between her legs, driving out every thought, blanking her mind.
He cupped her.
Sensation ruled. Need conquered.
She pushed against his hand, desperate for pressure, quivering to be filled. She raised her head.
‘Stay and enjoy, I want to give this to you.’ His silken voice stroked her.
Just like his hand. His fingers traced her slickness, wet with water, wet with longing. She should have felt exposed and vulnerable. But she felt safe and treasured.
Every barrier she’d built in eight years crumbled to dust. She gave herself up to him completely. Opening herself up to the sheer bliss of his touch.
Gentle, long, shallow strokes reduced her limbs to liquid muscle. Each tantalising caress slowly deepened, bringing her core to fever pitch, driving her higher and higher and higher until pleasure morphed with pain and the temptation of release taunted her.
Shuddering, she clenched against his fingers as his thumb circled her.
Reality receded. Sensation consumed her.
Colours exploded in her head as a cry of release left her throat.
A deliciously languid feeling rolled through her as her mind slowly came back to the present. Strong arms cradled her to a broad chest and she laid her head on Tom’s shoulders. ‘Thank you.’
His eyes, thick with desire, stared down at her. ‘You’re welcome.’
‘That was incredible. I had no idea it could feel like that.’ She trailed her forefinger across his chest, enjoying the dips and rises of toned muscle, and slowly snaked a path downward. ‘I think I could perhaps return the favour on the beach.’
He gripped her harder. ‘If you want me to walk to the beach, you’d better stop your hand’s adventures right now.’ His voice rasped.
She laughed, overjoyed that her touch could wield so much influence. Reluctantly she moved away from him. ‘I’ll race you to shore. This time I might just win.’
She ducked under the water in a shallow dive and swam the short distance until the length between her and the sand was only a few centimetres. She ran out of the water toward the picnic rug all set out for them. She bent down, quickly grabbing the rug, and ran toward a secluded area, surrounded by trees.
‘Gotcha.’ Tom’s hand gently closed around her upper arm.
She turned straight into his arms, melding her mouth to his. Together they fell to the rug. Hands tore at bathers until they were skin on skin. Need meeting need.
‘I need you now,’ his hoarse voice implored.
She gloried in his words. ‘I need you, too.’ Cupping his jaw with her hands, keeping her gaze riveted to his, she lowered herself over him. Glorifying in the fire of the stretch as she filled herself with him. Moulding herself to him. Claiming him as hers.
Ecstasy played across his face as she rose with him. With gazes fused, they drove each other closer and closer toward the precipice. Together they dived into the glorious vortex, shattering simultaneously, re-forming as one.
