Death Times Two(37)

“But then I wouldn’t get a nap, would I.”
He gives me a slow, coaxing kiss and then pulls away. “Definitely not.”
I push at his chest and step back. “I’m not saying no. I’m just saying no for now.” I shed my pants, which leaves me in a long t-shirt, and crawl under the covers. I pat the bed. “Come on.”
He turns on the bathroom light and cracks the door an inch. Very deliberately, Asa unzips his pants and steps out of them, and then pulls off his shirt. I frown at him and he smiles. “Just leveling the playing field.”
“Tease.”
Pulling back the covers, he slips in next to me and wraps me in his slightly cooler embrace. “Honey, teasing is the last thing I want to do to you.”
His skin feels good against mine. I swear my body temperature has risen three degrees since I met him. I snuggle against him and sigh. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a man’s arms around me. Even way before my husband died. We had a hands-off practice when it came to actually sleeping. He stayed on his side of the bed and I stayed on mine. But with Asa that’s not what I want.
My eyes drift shut and I’m asleep within minutes.
When my eyes flutter open a few hours later, he’s still there, still wrapped around me, still keeping me safe. Even though I didn’t move he must have sensed when I awoke.
“Sleep well?”
“Better than I have in a long time.” I lift my head and look at the clock. “Ten.” My head drops back to the pillow. “Dang, I was really tired.”
Asa doesn’t move to get up, but his hand slides up my arm. It would be so easy to turn over and make love to him right now. Giving in a little, I do roll to face him. The red numbers from the digital clock reflect in his eyes. His stare is intense and it takes my breath away.
“I really want you, Lisa.”
Usually I’d come back with some coy comment but humor escapes me, because I want what he wants. Skin against skin. “One more ghost and I’m all yours.” He pushes me to my back, covering my body with his. I spread my legs and he settles between them. God he feels good. His erection presses against me. “You’re not making this easy.”
“I know.” His mouth captures mine and his hand creeps up my ribs to cup my breast. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”
His thumb strums my nipple, bringing it to a tight peak. A whimper of desire and angst escapes me. I run my hands down his back and over his tight buns. They’re just as nice to touch as they are to look at. Unable to help myself I grind against him and open my mouth in invitation.
He accepts and for a few minutes we’re lost in a cloud of sensual caresses and kisses. To my surprise, Asa draws back first. “Listen, if we go much further I’m not going to be able to stop. Good news is you don’t have to worry about disease or getting pregnant.” He grins at me wickedly in the semi-darkness.
A glimmer of light from the clock glints off the top of his fang. Oh yeah, that’s hot, but he’s right. I’m not sure what kind of shape I’m going to be in, so I’d rather reap this last ghost and then let the chips—or clothes—fall where they may. “Then we’d better stop.” I use my own argument on him, certain the sliver of doubt I place will be enough to give us both the willpower we need to get dressed. “Because if I have to rest for a few days after we make love, I don’t want to worry about Emiko.”
His body tenses and stares at me. “Do you think… that us being together will be to rough?”
I squeeze his ass and wrap my legs around his thighs. “If we do it right.”
A slow smile spreads across his mouth and his body relaxes. “Let’s go reap this bitch.”
In an instant he’s off the bed and getting dressed. “Uh, okay.” I shove the covers the rest of the way off. “Nothing like a little enthusiasm.”
The rasp of his zipper hisses through the darkness. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
That spurs on my own efforts to get dressed. Within minutes we’re out the door and back in the tunnels, practically running. “You got the gold?” I huff out.
“Yep.” He slows to a brisk walk. “Three pieces in case Hal decides to barter.”
We continue down tunnel after tunnel. “Tell me about Emiko.”
“Small, Asian, deadly, fully trained as a ninja like three hundred years ago—and if she could die again I’d gladly do the honors.”
The vehemence in his voice shocks me. “So, we’ve saved the worst for last?”
He stops suddenly and turns. I almost run into him, but halt just in time. “Don’t let your guard down for a second. Don’t let go of me. And don’t believe the crap she’s going to spew at you. There’s nothing good about Emiko. She’s no innocent soul that needs to be saved. She was a master vampire and did a lot of really bad shit when she was alive.” I open my mouth to ask what, but he holds up a hand. “No, don’t ask. They’re the kind of things that will keep you awake at night. Trust me when I say, you don’t want to know.”