“Oh no. Ian, you’ve got that look in your eye.”
He took a step toward her. “What look is that, doll?”
“The one that says talking is the last thing on your mind.”
“I want to talk. After.”
“After what?” She swallowed visibly, but he saw the flare of answering heat in her eyes. “We have sex?”
“Make love. It’s never been just sex with you, Sarah.” He stopped in front of her and caught her face gently between his hands. “Not then.” He pressed a brief kiss against her lips. “And not now.”
There was a flash of relief in her eyes before she let out a soft sigh.
“Do you really mean that?”
“I have no reason to lie.”
“You have Emily. Maybe you’d say anything to keep us here—”
He crushed the rest of that offensive sentence with a harder kiss. Slipping his tongue out, he teased hers into an equally passionate response.
He lifted his head a moment later. “Does that feel like a lie to you?”
She shook her head.
“I’ve been thinking about it, and if you don’t want to move to Whidbey, then I’ll accept your decision.”
“You will?” Pain flashed in her eyes and her words were choked. “Just like that?”
“Aye.” He gave a sage nod. “But you should be warned that I’ll plan to move to Virginia as soon as possible.”
Her mouth parted. “But…your shop is here. Your family is here.”
“I love you, Sarah. I never stopped. And I want to be with you and raise our daughter.” His jaw flexed and he let out a shuddering breath, knowing his words were the truth. “If following you to Virginia is what it takes, than aye, I’ll do it.”
She stared at him a moment longer, before her eyes filled with tears and she blinked them away.
Oh shite. That wasn’t good. Now he’d gone and made her cry? “Sarah…”
“You always know exactly what to say,” she choked out, before throwing herself into his arms. “You’re right, we can talk later. Make love to me, Ian.”
His chest swelled with the jolt of pure relief, even as the feel of her body flush against his had need coursing through him.
He caught her hips and kissed her again—more thoroughly this time, as if his leaving or staying would be decided by this moment. The way she clung to him and kissed him back, though, gave him hope.
The last two times he’d made love to her, it had been too quick. He hadn’t touched her the way he’d wanted to. Tasted her everywhere he’d wanted to.
Sliding his hand up her back, he found the hidden zipper in the dress and tugged it down. Sarah lifted her head enough to assist him and shrugging out of the sundress.
When the cotton fabric disappeared from her body, a strangled groan escaped him at the sight that was left. No bra, just the sexy curve of her naked breasts and a thin pink thong with flowers on it.
“Ah, you’re so lovely.”
He watched the shiver take her body at his words. Saw the flare of need in her eyes.
He lifted his hands to cup her breasts, thumbing each dusky peak and watching them tighten in response.
“I love how they do that, doll.”
She arched her back, pressing herself firmly into his hands.
“Ian…”
He knew what her soft plea was for, and lowered his mouth to close around one nipple. Her husky moan was all the appreciation he needed.
Lightly, he played with one breast while bathing the nipple of the other with his tongue. Her head fell back against the door and the small moans she made grew in frequency.
His own arousal grew with each flick of his tongue over the soft, textured tip. He sucked harder, grazing with his teeth now.
When her hips slammed into his and she made a sharp cry of need, he knew she was ready for more.
Sliding a hand between them, he moved his palm down her belly to cup the heated mound of flesh between her legs. The discovery of the damp thong had his cock hardening in response.
He traced his fingers back and forth over her sex, wanting to bring her higher on that plateau of desire.
After a moment, she made a cry of frustration and clenched her thighs around his hand. As if to stop the sweet torment. Or maybe a plea for more.
“Spread your legs,” he ordered softly.
It took a moment before his words even seemed to register, but then she shifted her stance and opened her body to him.
Ian made another slow pass over her mound, before curling two fingers into the panties and tugging them to the side.
He slipped his hand over her naked, heated flesh. His groan mixed with hers at the moisture that he discovered.
Unable to draw out the torment, he slipped a finger deep into her body.