Final Target(87)
He was silent a moment, and when he spoke his voice was uneven. “ I believe that’s crystal-clear. But you went through a hell of a lot tonight. Are you sure that you’re able to judge—”
“Oh, for God’s sake. Of course I’m sure. Stop quibbling. Do you think this is easy for me? Not that I’m some shrinking violet, but it’s—”
“Shh.” He reached out and probed gently between her legs. “ Now I believe you. Christ, you’re quick.”
“Don’t you be.” Her voice was trembling as she pressed against him. “ I want this to last a long, long time. . . .”
“ You’re very good.” Melissa shifted and then cuddled closer. “ For someone who likes to stay on the outside, your inside technique is remarkable.”
“ If you’d warned me you were going to seduce me, I’d have put some thought into innovation.”
“ Instinct is better. Besides, I didn’t know. I wasn’t sure. Not until you actually stopped arguing and touched me.” She brushed her lips across his chest. “ Then I knew it was the right thing to do.”
“ It was definitely the right thing.” His hand tangled in her hair. “And I’m glad you didn’t decide it wasn’t the right time and the right man at that late stage.”
“ I’m no tease. I wouldn’t have cheated you.” She chuckled. “And I certainly wouldn’t have cheated myself. What a wicked man you’re turning out to be, Michael Travis.”
“ I aim to please. You said every carnal act.”
“ I think we’ve reached that boundary.”
“ Nah, we haven’t even started.” He took her hand and sucked on her index finger. “Have we?”
She felt a surge of heat move through her. Jesus, he was good. Sex with him had been like nothing she had ever experienced. A closeness that was fever hot and more than sensual. “Maybe we haven’t.” She drew closer. “Show me. . . .”
The sun was high in the sky when they walked out on the porch.
“ There’s Galen, sitting on that dune.” Melissa returned his lazy wave and watched him as he stretched, yawned, and then lay back on the sand. “He looks so relaxed, just zoning out, looking at the boats. It’s the first time I’ve seen him lazing around since we got here. He’s always bustling, cooking, or on the phone, managing the world.”
Travis followed her gaze to Galen and then to the two boats anchored up the coast. “ The universe. But maybe he’s more tactful than you think. He wouldn’t want to disturb us. He understands things.”
“ What things?” She glanced at him. His hair was tousled, his shirt mussed, and his expression . . . She looked away. She’d thought she’d had enough, but maybe . . . “ What do you think Galen understands about us?” She smiled. “Do you believe he thinks I seduced you to get my way?”
“He’s no fool.” He looked straight ahead. “ But would you care to confide in me why I got lucky?”
“ I wanted to do it,” she said simply.
“ It’s not that easy.”
“ Yes, it is. I was the one who was making it difficult, which isn’t like me. Every moment of life should be lived to the max. I wanted you but I wouldn’t take you. But I was scared to death last night. I thought I was going to die and then I was afraid you were. It jarred some sense back into me. I feel . . . something for you.”
“ What?”
“ I don’t know. Sometimes I feel so close to you, and that . . . intimidated me.”
“ You could have fooled me.”
“ What’s wrong? Are you insulted? I wanted to be honest with you.”
“Oh, you were. I can understand why you fought against feeling anything for me. We’re at opposite ends of the universe.”
“And you don’t want to make any commitment to anyone.”
He was silent.
She smiled. “ But you’re going to have to make a commitment to me. Because I can’t turn my back on the people I become close to. So like it or not, I’m in your life.”
“ You are?”
“Don’t panic. There are all kinds of commitment. Friendship is one. You should feel safe with that.”
“ I believe I’m becoming a little annoyed with your analysis of my character.”
“Sorry,” she said wearily. “ I suppose I’m just trying to work my way through this. It came as a shock to me that I’d feel this strongly about you. I don’t want anything to happen to you. It would make me—”
“Sad?”