“No ‘I-told-you-so’s?’”
“Not this time.”
The rain surged, pelting the wooden roof above them. The moist air carried the heavy scent of pine, and in the distance a lone coyote called out to its kinsmen. Alec’s hands eventually stilled and merely held her next to the warmth of his body.
Her mind whirled, preventing the return of sleep. Alec was as complex as a jigsaw puzzle whose pieces were upside down. One minute he came off as hard and unrelenting, but the next minute he lay in the shelter of a centuries-old, burned-out building, holding her in his arms, ready to protect her from whatever might be out there. And he seemed completely comfortable in either role.
In fairness, she had to question her own sanity. Here she lay in the home of her ancestors, the last surviving heir, held warm and protected in the arms of the enemy, the very man who would destroy it all.
The low, rumbling thunder gradually became louder, the flashes of lightning brighter. Alec lay in the black shadows, holding Shea as she slept. Lowering his head, he breathed in the sweet scent of her hair.
A long, increasingly loud rumble of thunder was followed by more flashes of light. Shea turned her face into his neck and covered her ears with her hands.
“Shea?”
“The storm.”
“It’s all right, hon.” He tried to soothe her.
“I hate storms. Please try to start the Jeep again.” Her voice was high, frightened, her words partially muffled by his shoulder.
“It doesn’t have any gas, remember?” His arms resumed their circular motion on her back. “We’ll be all right. This old house has weathered more bad weather than you and I will ever see.”
Another loud crack of thunder shook the floor. She raised her head and, through the flashes of light from the storm, he saw the fear in the blue iridescence of her eyes. Her sensuous lips parted slightly and desire charged through his body like a bolt of the lightning from above.
Slowly, she reached out and placed her hand against the side of his face as if making certain he was there. He didn’t move, didn’t breathe, afraid that doing so would break the spell that held them. She leaned forward, moistening his lips with her tongue before kissing him fully. The blood pounded in his head, surged straight to his groin.
He responded without thinking as passion flared. He didn’t know if she actually wanted him or if she was half-asleep and didn’t realize what she was doing. But whatever the reason, she didn’t pull away. And despite his earlier resolve, neither could he.
With a last surge of willpower, he set her away from him.
“Alec?”
“Shea, listen to me.” His voice was rough, even to his own ears. “I can’t do this anymore. It’s no longer a game. All bets are off. If you don’t want me to make love to you, then move away. Now.”
In the ensuing silence, he assumed she realized how close she’d come to losing her resolve, that there would be no turning back. The bedroll moved as she shifted her body. But instead of turning away, she kissed his chest, her teeth nipping his skin, her tongue tasting his heated flesh.
Like a man driven by forces beyond his control, he pushed her fully onto her back, pressed her down into the thick bedroll. Warm and pliant, her flesh conformed to his like the rain that filled each tiny crevice of the parched earth.
In that moment, he knew it was no longer a bluff to get her to leave. She was his wife, regardless of the circumstances. And he wanted her. Oh, how he wanted her. He needed to feel his hard flesh sheathed inside. She was his. And he’d make damn sure she knew it. His mouth found hers, plunging his tongue inside, loving the taste of her, the feel of her. And this time Shea kissed him back.
With a moan of defeat, Alec kissed her deeply, urgently, with a hunger that threatened to consume him. He heard her whimper, and the blood pounded in his ears. His hand followed the exquisite contours of her body, cupping her perfect breast, his thumb teasing the taut nipple. He left her lips, kissing down her throat to the supple flesh he held in his hand, teasing the small nub. She arched her back, pushing her chest toward him with a soft moan and he gave equal attention to her other perfect breast. With his hand, he traced over her belly, then lower to the silken curls that framed the center of her desire.
“Alec,” she whispered, need heavy in her voice as she pushed against his hand.
The pain in his loins became unbearable as raw, primitive instinct took over.
He moved fully on top of her and she opened to him. His hand fisted her hair, drawing her head back, allowing him greater access to her mouth, and like a starving man, he fed.
Alec raised his head and through the flashes of radiant light, he looked into the blue iridescent depths of her eyes and with a hoarse, almost feral growl, he pushed inside.
The thunder rolled, escalating in power, mirroring the intensity of their joining. Shea struggled to accept him, her body stretching as his power filled her. She knew no fear of the storm. Her mind and body were consumed with Alec, all senses tuned to him. She could no longer think. Only feel. And the feeling was incredible. Every movement of his big, powerful body propelled her higher. Her arms slid up and over his broad shoulders to circle his neck, her fingers gripped his thick hair.
Alec’s lips returned to hers, his tongue pushing deep. His hands cupped her head, holding her where he wanted her to be and a pressure inside began to build, causing a need that was almost painful in its intensity.
“Alec!” she cried out against his lips.
“I know, babe. Let it happen.”
Rotating his hips, he pushed hard and suddenly her desire crested and her mind shattered into a million brilliant pieces. She cried out his name as wave after wave of complete and total fulfillment coursed through her body.
He kissed her again with animal hunger. He began to move with a driving force, bringing her to the edge of mindless release for a second time. She clutched at his broad shoulders as his hands moved to cup her hips, lifting her, filling her, until, with a wild growl, he reached the summit of his own release. He shuddered against her as the spasms of his completion vibrated through him, and pushed her over the top yet again.
Spent, he collapsed on top of her. His heavy weight made it difficult to breathe, but she never would have asked him to move away. Surrounded by his musky scent she could feel the rapid beating of his heart. Wrapped in the warmth and protection of his arms, she floated slowly back to earth. Outside their shelter the rain continued to fall.
It was as though neither of them was inclined to move for fear they would somehow lose this sweet accord, this exquisite joining of their bodies and souls. She wanted this moment to go on, for him to hold her like this forever.
Rising up on his arms, his eyes captured hers, his thumb gently tracing the contours of her lips. In those moments, time stood still.
Finally, he eased from her but held her close.
“Did I hurt you?” he asked, bringing her hand to his lips.
“No.” She smiled and gently touched his face.
She knew the pain would come later.
When this situation was over and Alec said goodbye.
“Shea—” Alec’s voice called to her, bringing her back from the blissful realm of sleep. “Shea, hon, wake up.”
She moaned her disgruntlement and attempted to snuggle back into the heavenly cocoon of their soft makeshift bed.
“Come on, sweetheart.” Alec kissed her before pulling the warmth of the bedroll away from her. “I think we’re about to have company.”
Before she could respond, a piercing light shattered the darkness, followed by the sound of an engine and tires bouncing through the small pools of water in the rain-drenched earth.
Struggling to sit up, she pulled the top of the sleeping bag around her. “What is it?”
“I think we’re being rescued.”
“Rescued? What time is it?” The rain had slowed to a drizzle, but the sky was still black.
“Just after midnight.”
“You both all right in there?” Hank’s voice called from the truck as he pulled up in front of the foundation. “Got kinda worried when the storm broke. Figured I’d better come out and check.”
Her eyes locked to Alec’s, she didn’t immediately move. Then, with a grimace, he rolled onto his side and reached for his jeans.
Shea found the blanket he’d been using, pulled it around her, gathered her wet clothes and stood up. Hank’s arrival had effectively melted away the sweet fantasy and slammed her back to reality.
What had she done?
She didn’t look in Alec’s direction as she walked toward Hank and the truck.
The trip back was made in silence, her earlier intentions to wring Hank’s neck now overshadowed by confusion. She must be crazy. How could she have made love with the man who threatened to take away her ranch and everything she cherished?
A slight tremble ran down her spine and she pulled the blanket more tightly around her. Alec reached out and turned up the heater. But it wasn’t the temperature in the truck’s cab making her feel chilled to the bone.
Entering the house, she went straight upstairs. Maybe, with any luck she could be in bed and feign sleep when he got there. She quickly grabbed a clean T-shirt and panties, entered the bathroom and turned on the shower. Stepping under the spray, she leaned forward, placing her forehead against the shower wall, and let the hot water stream down her back.