She opened her eyes and blinked a couple of times, as languid as a cat snoozing in the sun. Something hit him hard in the chest.
Mine. Mine to love. Mine to protect.
His tiny daughter and the woman he’d always wanted, both looking so vulnerable and in need of his care.
“Catching up on sleep?” he asked, voice husky with unspoken suggestions.
“Someone kept me awake most of last night.”
His mouth curled with the memory. “Yeah, and he’s going to do the same tonight.”
“Is that a promise?” she asked, lifting her arms above her head in a long fluid stretch that started at her fingertips and rippled down the whole length of her body.
He watched her relax again. Just the sight of her moving so sensuously sent blood rushing south to stir his groin into potent readiness. “You really think I could keep away from you after a night like that?”
“Not in our private world,” she said, lifting one hand in a vague all-encompassing gesture. “It’s perfect for just a few days, but that’s all it can be.”
His heart constricted, and he tried to shove the sensation to one side and cover the moment with a flippant comment. “Not quite perfect—the fish weren’t biting. Let me get rid of my gear.”
With half an eye on Nicky, he set his rod and bag beside the car and peeled off his white T-shirt and old wet trainers. Then he lowered himself over Fiona and brushed his lips past the scar on her knee.
Her breath hitched, and he felt her hand touch his hair. Soon her nails scraped gently against his scalp as her fingers curled in reaction to his kisses.
“I hate to see where you got hurt because of me,” he murmured as he progressed up her thigh.
“Scars fade.”
“Some of them.”
“Not scars of the heart though?”
“Not so easily.” He slipped a finger under the edge of her thong and grinned as she bucked up against his hand and protested in a furious whisper.
“Stop it! Someone will see.”
“Not a chance. There’s no-one for miles.”
“Nicky’s right here.”
“And sound asleep.”
He pulled the elastic aside and ran his tongue over her hot flesh.
She gasped, and grabbed at his hair to tug him away. He enjoyed her grunt of annoyance as her fingers slid out of the short strands.
“Summer hair-cut. Too short for you to get much of a grip on, Blondie. You’re really asking for it now.”
He pushed a thigh between hers to hold her down, and eased his swim-shorts out of the way.
“What if Nicky sees?”
“Stay quiet and she won’t.”
God, she was a turn-on in that tiny scrap of coffee-colored lace! His good intentions to wait until nightfall deserted him in an instant, but the condoms were all in the cottage because he seriously hadn’t expected this.
“You on the pill?” he demanded.
“Yes, but—” she protested, wriggling against him as his cock glided between her thighs. “People might be looking...”
“No other people, Blondie. Just us in this big private green cave.” He yanked the edge of her panties sideways and nudged inside her.
She fought him every fraction of the way, but with a smile on her lips and stifled giggles. Finally he’d invaded to full depth and collapsed down onto her, pinning her in place against the rug. The bruised grass beneath them smelled herby and cool. The breeze rushed quietly through the willow fronds. Distant birds called to each other out in the sunshine. And all he could think was ‘mine’.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Christian’s grip on her loosened. She stopped her struggling.“Pitiful, isn’t it,” she whispered. “One kiss on the knee and I’m totally turned-on for you.”
“I did a bit more than that.”
“Not much. You didn’t need to, damn it...”
She turned her head to check on Nic, and thrilled as Christian brushed his lips down her neck, seeking out the sensitive places that had made her writhe and whimper the night before. Seeing Nic safely asleep, she relaxed a little.
“You giving in now?” he asked.
She sought his eyes and nodded.
“You’re too strong to fight off,” she teased, pushing her hips up and tightening her internal muscles around him.
“Oh yeah—that feels like fighting me off all right,” he agreed, settling his mouth over hers in a luscious leisurely exploration. When he finally lifted away he added, “If you really hadn’t wanted me Blondie, I’d have stopped. You do know that?”
“Of course I know that. Did it feel like I seriously objected?”
He stopped her query with a smile and another deep kiss. Then he began to move in long deliberate strokes. She caught her breath and pushed up at him each time he thrust, falling easily into the perfect rhythm he set. Her hands slid over his warm back, pulling him closer. Her thighs wrapped around his waist, skin against skin, sensation upon sensation.