“Okay,” she said and he blinked. Maybe he’d expected convincing her to take longer, so she explained.
“I’m going to let you seduce me because it’s safer that way.”
“Wow.” He drew back.
She slid her arms up around his neck. He wasn’t getting away from her now. “It’s a risk-management
technique,” she assured him. “Offset one risk with another risk.”
“I’m a risk?”
Using those terms, it didn’t sound sexy at all. She’d give him that. Still, he was smiling that naughty, knowing grin of his. So maybe he wasn’t too put off.
“Uh-huh.” He knew it, too, given how he was leaning into her, closing the small space between them.
Oh, yes, he was good. Her heartbeat was racing and she was trying not to pant. This was her seduction.
She was in charge here.
“You’re—” Daeg’s lips feathered over hers and she forgot how to think. His mouth covered hers, and
she realized that ten years had only made him a better kisser. He kissed her with a whole lot of demand and heat, his hands buried in her hair, urging her on.
“I deserve this,” she said finally, tearing her mouth away from his with a gasp.
“Yeah? You want Mr. All Wrong?” There was laughter in his voice again, which was okay. She felt
happy, too.
“Absolutely.” She smiled at him.
His fingers caressed her sensitized skin. “What do you deserve?”
This was the part where she was supposed to come up with something scintillating and deliciously
naughty. Yet she was empty. All she could do was stare into his deep, dark eyes.
“What do you want, Dani?” That raw voice of his made her body soar.
“Why?” she asked. “Are you going to give it to me?”
“Anything,” he replied. “All you have to do is tell me what you want. What you fantasize about.”
What she was fantasizing about was right in front of her. And if she was being honest, she’d never
entirely forgotten Daeg Ross. Now, here he was, ready to indulge in a summer fling. It seemed the perfect means to prove to herself that she was unpredictable and exciting. No-holds-barred sex with Daeg—really, really hot sex—was exactly what she wanted. This wasn’t happily ever after—but it was happily right now, and that was more than enough.
“Okay.” It was funny how a life-changing event could be boiled down to two syllables.
He smiled. “So that’s definitely a ‘Yes, Daeg, ravish me right here and now’?”
“I don’t want to talk anymore,” she said, curling into his side. She let her hand drift over his stomach.
Bold. Daring. That was who she wanted to be tonight. He didn’t seem to mind her initiative, either. On the contrary, he shifted closer until her hand was brushing his erection. She’d imagined how he would feel, but the thick, hard length of him was better than any fantasy.
“May I?” Her hand bumped against the waistband of his sweats.
His masculine groan was sweet satisfaction for her. He sprawled on the love seat like a big, predatory
cat, waiting for her to touch him. She stroked him through the fabric of his sweats, tracing the long length.
She took her time, because he was right. They had an entire night. Even if the storm stopped, it would be crazy to attempt the roads in the dark. Her soldier would insist on waiting until daylight. It would be safer, and he wanted her safe.
She didn’t want to play it safe anymore.
“Kiss me,” she demanded, and he pulled back.
Disappointment stabbed at her, but he searched her face. “You sure this is what you want?” he asked.
“No more talking,” she reminded him. “Remember?”
“Got it.”
He kissed her, a long, hot kiss that made her ache. She wanted this man. Better yet, he clearly wanted her.
DANI’S TANK TOP slipped down nice and easy when he hooked a thumb under a lacy strap and
nudged. That inch of revealed skin made him want more. He wanted everything off, but the rules of the
game they were playing demanded slow and sweet, so he stroked his thumb over the skin he’d uncovered.
He wanted her.
All of her.
Wanted to lay her down on the rug in front of the fireplace and know every secret she was hiding
beneath that slip of a shirt. “No more talking,” he agreed. She tilted her head back. The heat from the fire had dried her hair into waves and he reached out, capturing a curl. The fine hair clung to his finger,
wrapping around him.
She looked as if the move delighted her, and he wanted to tell her that she didn’t need excuses anymore.
All she had to do was ask and he’d be there.
He kissed her again, and this time he pushed the lacy top all the way down, exposing her to his greedy
gaze. The thin cups of her white bra hugged her breasts, creating a luscious line that he traced with his fingers. All the time in the world, he reminded himself. That was what they had. The storm outside was no match now for the one building inside the cabin.
She pressed her breasts into his palms. “Daeg—” His name was a throaty demand. He liked this, the
lush, anxious anticipation as he held her, and then worked the tank top down until the soft cotton was
bunched around her waist.
“More?”
“Please,” she sighed.
He undid the front clasp of her bra and her breasts tumbled free into his hands. He gently eased her
back on the love seat, the fire casting a warm glow over them. For a long moment, he just enjoyed the sight, running his hands down her sides. Soft and yet strong. The feminine muscles beneath those curves were so very pretty.
“Daeg?”
“Shh, let me look a little. You’re so beautiful.”
Truthfully, he didn’t deserve this woman, but she made him laugh, made him want, aroused and
seduced him, so he’d make sure she enjoyed every minute of this night. He tucked a cushion beneath her
head.
“Watch,” he ordered and her eyes darkened. “I’m going to kiss you now.”
He lowered his head, brushing his cheek against those soft curves. Trailed kisses, openmouthed ones,
over her breasts. His tongue made a path his fingers followed.
“Tell me what you want.”
A small moan escaped from her as his fingers found her nipples.
“Or do you want me to guess, Dani?”
He rolled, pulling her effortlessly on top of him.
“Your leg,” she gasped, bracing her hands against his shoulders.
He wasn’t thinking about his leg. At all. Instead, he pressed up against her and the telling heat at the juncture of her thighs.
“Believe me, my leg’s fine.”
He drew down her yoga pants and panties. He wanted her naked. Now.
DAEG’S CALLUSED HANDS moved over her hips and thighs, ruthlessly baring her to his gaze. Her
clothes dropped carelessly to the floor, he reversed their positions again, placing her on her back.
“Let’s see if we can heat you up some.”
His strong hands stroked every inch of revealed skin as he rose up onto his knees.
“Are you going to strip for me?” She wanted him naked, but she wasn’t in charge here and that
realization was its own erotic thrill.
He chuckled and pulled his shirt off. That still left him with too many clothes on, in her opinion,
because the ridge of his erection demanded uncovering. When she reached for him, however, he captured
her hands with his, threading his fingers through hers. The rasp of his rough palms against hers was an erotic friction that sent heat shooting through her belly.
“Impatient? I like that. And it’s only fair because you make me lose all reason.”
Good.
A particularly strong gust of wind tore at the cabin’s roof and she was startled.
“We’re safe, I promise. Focus on me, on what we’re doing.” Reassurance filled his voice, as rock steady as the big body before her. Yes, she was safe with him. In the literal sense. Her virtue, thankfully, was clearly at risk.
“You sure the roof will hold up?” She pressed up, nibbling at his neck.
“Uh-huh.” His scorching gaze roamed over her body. “Although I think it could come down right now
and I wouldn’t really notice....”
He moved with grace, shifting backward, easing her thighs apart. “Let’s try this.” His voice made her
shiver.
Excitement and anticipation had robbed her of any words, instead, another moan escaped her lips.
“I’ll take that as permission.” He grinned and slipped her legs over his shoulders. A now-burning need
for him had her tensing, pushing aside any fleeting embarrassment. She was right where she wanted to be with the only man she’d wantonly desired.
“You’re so beautiful—” His hoarse voice and intense look reassured her. He obviously liked what he saw.
He lowered his head to touch her intimately and she was ready. When finally, finally, he put his mouth on her, she stopped thinking altogether. He kissed and teased her, each erotic stroke of his tongue sending her higher and higher. So good, so good, she thought as he cupped her backside and increased her
pleasure.
The wicked sensations continued. He made her writhe. She’d never experienced such outright bliss. She
placed a hand on his head to encourage him and felt the soft rasp of the military cut beneath her fingertips.
More.
He chuckled and he gave her what she wanted. “Dani, you have no idea how lovely you are.”