He smiled at the despair in her voice. There would be more. He could promise her that. He quickened his pace to catch up with her climax, then exploded inside her, as relentless as a bullet. He caught a last glimpse of her face in the thrall of orgasm before he was lost.
Lost.
He rode the feeling, unable to do anything but enjoy the woman who gripped him with her arms, her ankles, her sex, not letting go, never letting go.
She was both soft and strong. Her skin was as soft as butter, but it was resilient, pliant and sturdy. She was like that, too, he knew, deep inside, where he connected with her in a way he didn’t want to acknowledge.
They both quieted, breathing hard. He started to roll away, but she held him with her heels and looked up at him. “That was great,” she said with a satisfied sigh.
He nodded, his heart still pounding in his ears. He needed a little distance, a break to collect himself. He caught sight of his camera a few inches away, the medium lens in place, and reached for it.
“What are you doing?” she asked when he pointed it at her, touching her hair.
“You look incredible. Lean on your elbow for me.”
She turned on her side and gave him a seductive look, blocking her nipples with her arm. Very nice. “So, you are my artist, capturing the inner me on film?” She fluffed her hair and spoke in a teasing voice, shifting her leg to hide her pubic area, which was fine with him. He wanted that to be his alone to see. “That’s a fantasy I have, you know,” she said.
“A fantasy, huh?” He pulled her hair forward, the dark red waves gentle beside her cheek. Midday sun dappled her skin through the trees, turning her body into an impressionist painting. Leaf shadows arrowed from her breasts to her belly, adding texture.
“I’ve never been naked for a picture,” she whispered.
“I’ve never been naked taking one, either. First time for everything.” He ran his hand along the soft topography of her hip. “It’ll be fine, Samantha. Trust me.”
She relaxed under his touch. He felt that—deep—her trust of him and wanted always to be worthy of it.
She closed her eyes on a sigh and when she opened them again, they were blue fire. I want you.
He was shaking so badly he could hardly hold the camera to his eye, but he snapped the shot and it was perfect. He’d captured her in her double glory—soft and fierce, innocent and carnal, shaky and sure. She plain took his breath away.
At this moment, nothing mattered to him but her. Not the case, not being a cop, not his personal rules of conduct.
What the hell was happening to him?
SAMANTHA WATCHED Rick’s eyes change color like a mood ring, going from hot to cool so fast she almost gasped. He was sorry they’d had sex. He would apologize now and stop them again. She couldn’t let that happen. This was way too good to give up.
“Don’t be sorry, Rick. Please.” She rose on her elbows and pushed him to the blanket. “We’re great together. Just let that be enough for now.” She cupped his face, kissed his forehead, stared down at him, willing him to agree with her.
He was trying to smile, but she could tell it wasn’t easy.
“I know you want sex to mean more,” she said. “And it does.” More than she’d expected it to, anyway. More than adventure or discovery or a fantasy fulfilled. It had been glorious and moving and tender and powerful. She hadn’t quite grasped all the implications, but she knew she wanted more.
“Sex can mean plenty all on its own,” she said. She grasped him and he went immediately hard.
“When you do that I stop thinking,” he said, his eyes flaring hot.
“That’s good. Don’t think. Just feel.” She straddled him, rose on her knees and guided him smoothly inside her. “Feel this,” she said, leaning forward so he cupped her breasts. “Feel me. All…of…me.” She dragged out the words, rocking as she spoke.
“Oh, yeah,” he said, swept away. She loved that she was driving this restrained man crazy. He looked at her as if he’d never seen anyone more beautiful.
She’d never felt more like a woman. Her blood sang with the thrill and power of this moment. Talk about a fantasy fulfilled.
She and Rick were naked under the sky, surrounded by nature. A bird called nearby, the creek gurgled past, and wind rustled the aspens and hissed through the pines that stood guard over them while they engaged in this most primal of all acts.
“This is another fantasy of mine,” Samantha said, looking down at Rick, seating herself firmly on him, so that he reached her deep inside. “Having sex out here…like this.”
“That’s good.” He gripped her hips to keep himself from going too deep.