“So you say. Your pants said otherwise.”
He laughed, and the low vibration hummed through my body. Oh God, it was so insanely powerful, heat pooled between my legs. “Okay, so certain parts of my anatomy liked them. But others did not.”
“Why? Every one of those women is smart. And successful. And, obviously, they’re beautiful.”
“I can’t say why I didn’t connect with any of them. There was just…something missing.” His lips grazed the side of my neck.
My entire body stiffened. “There are others.”
“Hmm?”
“Other women.”
He nipped my neck and a shiver swept up my spine. “Tell me what you like, and I’ll introduce you to more women. Better women.”
“Okay,” he murmured against my skin. “Um…I like brunettes. Who are ambitious. And beautiful, of course. But she needs to possess natural beauty, the kind that glows from within.”
“You sound like you memorized that from some stupid book,” I said, shivering again.
“Are you cold?” his lips slid up to the sensitive spot under my ear. “You’re shivering.”
“No. I mean, yes. I’m cold.”
“I can take care of that.” Straightening up, he shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. “Better?”
No. That wasn’t better. Now his scent was filling my nose. That was all I needed--another sensation to add to the many that were already overwhelming my system. “Yes, thanks,” I said.
At least he’d let my wrists go.
My gaze jerked from his face--he was looking a little flushed--to the stairs leading up to the deck. “I…think I need some fresh air.”
“Sure.” He walked very close as we made our way to the stairs and then up them. On the deck, I went to the railing and looked out over the water at the beautiful sunset. The sky was painted in hues of indigo and salmon, and the low-hanging sun was reflected on the rippling surface. I saw no other boats. No other people. It was quiet. Peaceful. Serene.
I dragged in several long, deep breaths.
Tevin leaned a hip against the railing, close to my hand. “I could spend months out here, if I was given the chance.”
“By yourself?”
“Maybe. Life is different out here. You can live every minute. They don’t fly past you.” He smiled, shook his head. “That probably doesn’t make any sense.”
“Actually, it does.”
Our gazes locked.
My heart skittered around in my chest.
“Daryl.” His head tipped, moved down. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but dammit, I want you.”
At the sound of torment in his voice, I threw my arms around his neck. He hooked an arm around my waist and whirled around so I was backed up against the railing and his body was holding me there. His mouth descended upon mine, his tongue shoved its way in, and within seconds, I was writhing against him.
A little groan vibrated against my chest, echoed in our joined mouths. In response, a pulse of erotic heat washed through my body. Swirls of desire curled in my deepest parts, making me tremble. I felt myself losing control. My mind was shutting down, my senses focusing on just one thing. One need.
More. I needed more.
It was my turn to moan now, as Tevin cupped my head and held me in place. He deepened the kiss, tongue stroking deep inside my mouth, filling it with sweet, intoxicating flavor. Within seconds I was ready to surrender to the fierce heat simmering through my body. My knees were getting soft, wobbly. My heart was thumping so hard it almost hurt. And the heat was nearly unbearable. A whimper slipped up my throat as I hooked my fingers into claws and raked them down his chest.
He broke the kiss, stared down at me with eyes full of male hunger. “I’m sorry, Daryl. I can’t let you go now. I won’t.” He scooped me off my feet.
We kissed again as he carried me back down the stairs. Once we were inside a bedroom, he set me on my feet, but I was too shaky to stand. I hung onto his neck, arms wrapped tightly, and lost myself in another demanding kiss.
Oh. My. God.
I had been kissed lots of times, but never like this, like he was staking a claim, conquering me. His mouth did things to mine that made me breathless and eager for more. And his hands, they did too, as they slowly explored my body, one inch at a time. I felt my knees start to buckle then his strong arms catch my waist. Still kissing me, he walked me toward the bed. I stumbled as I followed his lead, eyes closed, head spinning. He was holding me. He wouldn’t let me fall.
I felt myself being lowered down, and then the mattress was under me, and his large, strong body was over me, bent legs straddling mine. The sound of water lapping at the side of the boat blended with the husky rasp of our deep breaths, creating a sexy song that only amplified my need.