She shook her head. "No, you-"
But he had. Yes, it was reassuring to have all the control, but she wanted him to respond. She wanted him to truly want her and to prove it in his kiss. Even twenty-four hours ago, she wouldn't have been able to imagine needing him to kiss her. Now she ached for what he held just beyond her reach.
"What I mean is, I think I'd like it more if you kissed me."
"Do you really want me to kiss you?" Dane asked. "Because I won't keep my hands off you. I'll take control. Just a kiss, Lea. It won't go any further than that. I'll kiss you and hold you. And then we'll go to sleep."
He was baiting a trap. She sensed that he'd push a bit beyond that … but she was alive after a harrowing day. And she realized that for the first time since Cole Lennox had pulled her out of that brothel, she wasn't terrified. Somehow, kissing them made her feel like she was taking control of her life again. Doing what she wanted, not what fear allowed her. No way would she stop Dane now. She wanted to know what it would be like to kiss him.
"All right," she murmured.
He sat in the sand and leaned against the tree, then patted his lap. "Sit here."
If she did, so much of her would have to touch so much of him. He'd maneuver them into a position that ensured he was in control. But she knew Dane would honor his promise. Just a kiss.
"It's all right, Lea," he said, that hard tone to his voice disappearing. "Let's just get some rest. You sleep between Cooper and Lan. They'll keep you warm."
She'd been such a coward and she was through with it. They had been nothing but kind to her. She didn't have to be afraid of them. They were all alone on an island. No pressures, no reporters, no threats. Right now, they didn't know everything in her past. Maybe they never would. This was her clean slate.
Someone would eventually rescue them, but maybe she could take this time and enjoy it. She could be their Lea just for a little while.
She scooted on to his lap and felt his erection right against her hip. Dane Mitchell wanted her. That was all that mattered tonight.
Dane's expression changed, turning hard and dominant. He reached up and touched her face, brushing across it with his fingertips as though trying to memorize the feel of her skin. Alea had to swallow down a gasp as his hand trailed down her neck to her chest.
"I'm going to touch your nipples."
She nodded and felt them tighten before his fingers even got close. They strained against the cotton of her bra, trying to meet him halfway. While his right hand traced the hard points and a soft sigh escaped her, his left wound around her waist, clutching her hip.
And she wasn't freaking out because this was Dane, the man who had risked his own life to save hers.
He cupped the nape of her neck, pulling her forward. "Put your hands on me, Lea."
There was something about his deep, rich voice that had her fingers moving to his chest and stroking him. She rubbed her palms over his muscled shoulders as he brought her closer and pressed his lips to hers.
His hand slowly fisted in her hair, every movement precise and slow. She wasn't startled. Once she reminded herself that he wouldn't hurt her, she let go of the fear. Then he was drugging her with long, slow kisses, leading her closer and deeper. God, he smelled like a man, musky, potent. She couldn't stop herself from melting.
When his tongue licked along the bottom of her lip and she opened for him, he invaded, sliding against her. Over and over, he dipped inside her mouth, taking possession, as his fingers toyed with her nipples. Heat pooled low in her gut. She gave herself over to the moment, moaning softly, arching her breast into his hand.
Then suddenly, Dane leaned away. He dropped one last, chaste kiss on her lips. "Time for bed, Princess. Lay down on your belly, and let Lan and Cooper touch you for a while."
"What?" It was over? And she was supposed to do what?
Dane moved, shifting her off his lap and standing up. He held a hand out to help her up. "It's part of your training. Or rather it's part of your retraining."
"I'm being trained?" She was a little unsteady on her feet as Dane led her back to Lan and Cooper.
"Yes, you're being trained to accept love and affection. Lay down. They're not going to do anything except stroke and rub you until you relax."
Landon and Cooper had made a place for her between them. She was the only one with a "bed." They had saved the cushions from the plane and laid them out so she would be comfortable. They would sleep on the sand. She had argued with them, but to no avail. They wanted to know she was comfortable.