He brushed her face with his lips, kissing her eyelids, her cheek, the corner of her mouth. Ellison licked across her cheekbone, then returned to her mouth, sliding his tongue inside as the first of his shudders hit him.
Maria was feeling it too, he knew, her eyes half closed, little sounds of pleasure drifting from her throat. She kissed him back as her body moved with his, her hips rocking to pull him farther inside her.
“Damn . . .” Ellison released, control leaving him. Joy poured over him, every piece of his body aching with pleasure.
It was beautiful. She was beautiful. The sun flushed Maria’s face, and her eyes were warm, her body welcoming. The Goddess had made her for Ellison, and Maria was embracing him and taking him. Ellison needed her in his life the same way he needed air every second of the day.
Maria gave a little cry, Ellison thrusting now in crazed need. He kissed her, she kissed him, they struggled to hold each other in the slippery water.
“Ellison,” she said, her voice stricken.
Ellison held her close. “Shh,” he said. “Shh, love.” He shivered with release. But he was hot too, inside himself, where they joined, and wherever she touched him.
“Shh,” he said again. Maria kissed his cheek, the kiss languid, and Ellison gathered her and held her close.
***
Ellison carried her out of the water. Maria trembled in reaction to her impulsive decision to make love to him and the sudden cold of the breeze on her wet skin.
Ellison set her on her feet on the bank, wrapped his big body around her to cut the chill, and kissed her.
All the heat of the spring day poured from the kiss into her. Maria warmed, though she still shivered. She wanted to stay here forever in this beauty, this feeling.
Fear was gone. She had Ellison, passion, this flood of happiness. She wanted to hold the moment, swathe herself in it, and never leave for the real world again.
Ellison caressed her cheek, his kiss slow with lassitude and lovemaking. His body was as wet as Maria’s, but his skin held so much warmth, hotter than any living being’s should be.
I’m falling in love with you. The thought came to her unbidden, as natural as the breeze that ruffled the lake. I’m falling in love with you, Ellison.
He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the backs of her fingers. A cloud slid over the sun, and Maria’s shaking increased.
“We’d best get you dressed,” Ellison said.
He looked up at the tree from which he’d hung their clothes, and started laughing. Next to his jeans, a couple of blankets dangled in the breeze.
“Good old Granger. Don’t worry, he didn’t look.”
Still chuckling, Ellison yanked down one of the blankets and folded it around Maria. The scratchy wool smelled of smoke and outdoors, but it cut the wind.
When they were dry, they dressed again. Ellison looked at Maria plenty as she pulled clothes over her damp body, and she didn’t pretend not to look at him. He grinned at her again as he picked up his hat, but he didn’t set it on his still-wet hair.
The sun was setting by the time they reached the trailer, the long spring day drawing to a close. Granger had a small fire going in his front yard, and was poking at it with a long stick. He invited them in, and Ellison took Maria’s hand and led her into the trailer.
Inside was small but cozy. Granger was a bachelor, obviously—no woman’s touch in the cluttered interior. Maria sank down on the seat under the window, and Ellison was beside her. His arms went around her, drawing her back into his warm body.
Maria started to drift off to sleep. The smoke from the fire held a strange, sweet odor, the trailer was comfortable, and afterglow from lovemaking made her want to lie here with Ellison and never get up.
Ellison slid his thumb under her jaw and turned her face to his. His kiss was slow, hot, holding the same afterglow.
Granger came noisily in. Ellison broke the kiss and cradled Maria back against him, and she started drifting off again.
“You’re gonna get yourself arrested,” she heard Ellison say, humor in his voice.
“Nah. The sheriff’s deputies around here are my best customers. Hey, I have some errands to run. You guys hang out here as long as you want, and leave when you’re ready. There’s beer in the fridge and some food. I forget what.”
“Sure.” Ellison’s voice rumbled in his chest.
Maria snuggled up to that rumble. In the pond, she’d given in to her desires, and she didn’t regret it one bit. In the water, so close to the strong, caring Ellison, she’d put away fear and acted on new feelings.
Ellison had been tender, gentle, taking it easy. She’d felt him shaking, holding back his incredible strength for her. He hadn’t wanted to hurt her or scare her.