Chapter Forty-One
When Rio took the wheel , driving a new pickup truck he’d recently purchased, Becca was deeply pleased to sit back and relax. The truck was a deep blue, with running lights, a navigation system, and satellite radio. On the bench seat, he held her hand the entire three-hour drive. At the border, for the first time, they crossed into Mexico legally, with passports and driver’s licenses. Soon they met with Julio, the pilot. Boarding the battered Cessna, Rio set inside an overstuffed rucksack filled with groceries.
Becca was gratified to see that peeking from the top was a package of Arabica ground coffee. He’d certainly planned this. The idea felt gloriously sexy. The notion of being romantically kidnapped to a wild and remote location thrilled her. The closer they came to their final destination, the more the sensual anticipation blooming within her continued to unfurl. This kind of kidnapping, she could accept.
They were going to the cabin.
****
A ll day as they traveled , Rio had only dropped kisses into her hair, or on her temple, but he hadn’t sought her lips. His eyes blazed often into hers. She’d reveled in his heated skin, in his whispered compliments.
“You’re so beautiful,” he’d told her in the car. “I have to have you.” On the plane, he told her quietly, “I want your breasts on my chest, in my mouth.” As she’d blushed, he caressed her fingers and when the plane landed, he whispered, “I’m dying to be inside you ... and to have you on top of me. In every way possible, I want you.”
“Yes,” she whispered, overwhelmed.
With every glance, his hot eyes burned in banked sensuality. Focused on her, he made her feel like the only woman on earth, madly desired, insanely attractive. She tried, and failed, to keep her own excitement to a low sizzle.
Impossible.
She wanted him with an ache only he could assuage.
By the time they arrived at the scooter, it was past nightfall. As before, riding behind him on the Vespa, Becca clung to his warm back. She laced her fingers together over his flat belly, loving touching him, loving being with him again.
She loved him. Whatever came of this trip, she would accept. For two long months she hadn’t been able to take a deep breath, to get air. Her chest had hurt so much that breathing had become difficult.
Now, touching him, hugging his big body, she realized exactly why: Rio was her oxygen. Gladly, she drew him in. He felt like life.
During their long drive and flight, she’d seen iron-clad control in his locked jaw, in his tense and furrowed forehead. It was obvious he was holding himself in check. A magnificent male animal, his blood was up. In a primal instinct as old as time, her body recognized his silent need. She swore she could smell his pheromones, and her own responded in kind. The urgency was almost unbearable.
At last they arrived at the cabin door. Desire drenched her body, consumed her mind. Rio dropped his rucksack and she let her own bag, filled with her colorful new clothing, fall to the ground. He gathered her close and for the first time in months, he kissed her. His mouth ravaged hers, taking and giving. His tongue swept inside her mouth and she moaned. Stabbing her stomach, his hard-on demanded attention.
With his strong hands, he held her head. She felt his shaking fingers ... and understood why. Without words, she knew that until they reached their destination, he hadn’t been able to trust himself. She thrilled to the knowledge that he wanted her so much.
Lost in his kiss, Becca trembled, too.
“Buttercup,” he whispered against her mouth, “I’ve missed you something awful .”
“I know,” she replied, and they both smiled.
He pulled her inside, lit the lantern and latched the door. Before he turned to her she yanked off her top and sweatshirt, and cast them aside. He paused, stared at her breasts.
“Oh, my,” he said, his voice strangled.
His gaze on her nipples, he encircled her small waist, his thumbs just below her breasts’ luscious weight.
Placing her palms on his chest, Becca lovingly traced his muscular pectorals. She cupped his shoulders, smoothed her palms down his biceps. Each contour of his masculine body, all hard angles and rigid muscle, was so different from her soft shape. He intrigued her.
“I’m so hard right now,” he told her, “I could plow a field.”
“Mmm. Maybe you could just plow me .” She touched the top of her upper lip with her tongue, the same move she’d used months ago just before giving him oral sex.
His eyes lit, remembering. “If I don’t get inside you soon I’m going to die,” he said. “But I want to tell you one thing first.”
She blinked, and held her breath.
“I love you, Becca,” he said simply. “When we were apart, it felt as though a piece of my body was cut off. Like something vital was missing. It didn’t feel good. I didn’t like it. Being separated from you was wrong—all wrong.” As though he were surprised at himself, a flash of wonder crossed his face. “Do you know what I mean?”
“Oh, yes,” she breathed, and pulled his head down to hers.
Falling to the bed, they clawed at clothing, kissed every inch of newly revealed skin, re-learned each other in frenzied, sensual explorations.
Becca felt wild, frantic, needy. How she’d missed him, suffered the loss of his touch. She couldn’t get enough of this man.
Because he was Rio .
He made her feel splendidly beautiful, his touch both tender and demanding, as if she were delectable, delicious, and he was desperate for her. The wanton female inside her knew joy and she gloried in her womanhood.
She had to have him. Now.
Lying beside him, she reached for his thick, straining cock and stroked him, marveled at his size and strength.
He groaned. “You better stop that or I’ll come before I ever get inside you.”
Without shame, she rolled to her back and bent her knees. In one deliberate movement, she opened them, drew them up so he could see her. With heavy-lidded eyes, she invited him to look, to touch. Her breath came out in little pants. “Then come inside me. I’m so wet for you.”
“Oh, Becca.” Sitting up, he stared at the apex of her thighs, and staring at her soft, pink folds, said her name like a reverent prayer. “ Becca.” He touched her sex and his chest heaved. He was panting, too.
She could tell he wanted to be gentle, to slow down for her, but tonight she needed fast and she needed hard. In sensual demand, she pulled at him, urged him to cover her body with his own.
As he eased atop her, she guided his length to exactly where she craved him, and he obliged, pushing inside, her dampness easing the way. He filled her body and her mind with thoughts and sensations only he could engender in her. Only Rio.
She bit his neck, clutched at him, told him without words to take her hot and rough. Plunging in and out, he gave her what she needed, and like a wild mare she bucked beneath him. The bed creaked in a loud squeal of metal springs. Neither cared.
Together, they came in shattering, dual climaxes that left them only temporarily spent.
The second time, she climbed on top and rode him, deliberately grinding her sex against him in slow undulations. She arched her back, pushed out her chest, and he eagerly reached up. “I love your breasts,” he told her, sucking in air.
She leaned down to him and licked his neck. “Call them boobs,” she whispered in his ear, then bit the lobe. “Or better yet, call them tits. It’s naughty, like flashing you. And with you, I feel like such a bad girl.”
He grinned, raised a hand and gave her bottom a sharp slap. “That’s for misbehaving,” he said.
She yelped at the sting, yet the small punishment sent a thrill up her spine.
Gripping her hips, he commanded, “Now, naughty Becca, put your tits in my mouth. I want to suck on first one nipple, and then the other.”
“Yes, sir.” Easing up just enough to dangle her breasts over his face, she felt his lips surround her nipple and quickened her rocking on his body. Her excitement climbed, reaching fever pitch. Rio responded, flexing and thrusting his hips so his manhood speared her to the hilt. Sweat gathered on his chest. His breathing escalated.
His eagerness fed hers and she never wanted to stop. The friction on her body grew to delicious heights. His lips, tugging on her nipples, took her breath.
All at once she felt a tremendous climax crash over her. She shuddered, cried out, and then the next orgasm took over. When she rose again to the heights, Rio gave a final pump and lifted off the bed to pull her face to his.
As the final vibrations slammed through them, they kissed, and while they wound down, continued the kiss for a long time.
****
I n the morning, they rose from tangled quilts to take water bottles to the clear stream and refill their reserves. At creek side in gentle sunlight, they sat on a bed of pine needles and soft loam. Giving her tiny kisses, Rio held Becca close to his side.
“I’m so in love with you,” he told her. “It feels like you’re part of me. Inside me.” He laid one strong hand on his chest. “In here.”
She looked at him, misty-eyed. “I’m glad.”
Nestling her head on his shoulder, she felt happier than ever before. This man knew her, warts and all. He understood her. He’d seen into the depths of her heart and soul, and he loved her.
“I love you too.” She whispered the words. Her throat felt raw.
Surprising her, he pulled a small box from his pocket. A telltale tremble shook his fingers.
Seeing the jewelry box shape, she gasped. “Really, Rio?”
“Yes, really.” He set the unopened box in his lap. “When we first met I tried to remain detached. You were a job to me and I couldn’t allow my thoughts to get twisted up. Not if I wanted to keep you safe.”
“That’s why you seemed so distant.” Just as she suspected.
“I needed my head clear. Needed to stay focused. Over the years, it’s been easier to be unemotional.”
She didn’t like the fact, but she accepted it.
He squeezed her waist. “You became so much more than a contract to me. More than just a job to complete.”
Feeling her chin wobble in emotion, she smiled at him.
Opening his box, Rio sought her gaze. “Is it okay?”
A three-carat marquis-cut diamond ring set in a filigreed-platinum band sparkled in the sunlight. Becca gasped. “It’s huge . So expensive! Are you sure—”
“I have money, Becca. All these years I’ve worked and haven’t spent the paychecks. I don’t have a lot of cars or property or clothing or anything. What I have is a fat bank account. A really big one.” He named a high dollar figure and she gasped again.
“I want to share it with you,” he said. “I’ll buy us a house. Maybe halfway between your business and mine. We’ll get a dog.”
Lowering her eyes to the ring, she allowed him to slip it on. “I love it.” She held up her hand, gazed in awe at the huge rock. “I want that house with you. And the dog.”
“Good.” He smiled and his dimple made an appearance. “I designed the ring myself, and the jeweler is prominent in his field. For you, only the best.”
For a single moment, she hesitated. There was one matter left. “How do you feel about children?” She bit her lip, then before he could answer, she forced out the rest in an anxious rush, “Because I’ve fantasized about it, about bearing your son. Maybe even two.”
A crease appeared between his eyes and deepened into a frown. Becca held her breath. If he didn’t want children, her heart would crack in half. It would devastate her.
“We can’t just have boys, Becca,” he said. “I definitely want at least one daughter.”
Relief washed through her. She threw her arms around his neck and they kissed. His frown disappeared.
Abruptly, her mood changed. She slanted him a mischievous glance. “Um, Rio? I’ll be right back.”
“Gotta pee? Okay, I’ll wait.”
She definitely didn’t have to pee.
Getting to her feet, she left him sitting at creekside and made her way into the trees. Taking a circuitous route and keeping the undergrowth between them, she found the path to the ledge. Climbing up, she found the place where months ago, he’d run shouting to frighten away her stalking mountain lion, the spot where he’d tackled her and ended her escape attempt.
Then, it had been snow and ice covered. Now, beneath the trees, it was all fragrant soil and green foliage. Up on the ledge, she tore off all her clothing, and tossed it aside with joyful abandon. Resplendently nude, she felt cool air bathe her skin. She felt free and open and very turned on.
“ Rio ,” she sang out.
Glimpsing him through the trees, she saw him emerge from behind the screen of leaves to find her. When he looked up, she shimmied her bare breasts so they swayed.
Spotting her, he gawked.
“Hey, baby,” she teased, “want somma this?” Smiling in glee, she proudly thrust out her chest. Next, she turned to present her bare ass. Giving him an impudent grin over her shoulder, she patted her butt cheeks. “How about a little of this ?”
Without taking his gaze from her, Rio put both his hands to his head. “You’re flashing me? You little minx! Come down here.”
“Come up and get me,” she taunted.
Needing no further encouragement, he began to run along the base of the ledge to where it ended at the tree line choke point. As he ran, he never looked away from her. He wore a wolfish grin.
On a parallel path above him, Becca ran too, waving, blowing him teasing kisses. Her new ring glinted in the sunlight.
When finally they met, Rio swung her up into his arms.
Giddy, she laughed.
He bent his head to nuzzle her chest. “My little exhibitionist,” he mumbled, then caught one pink nipple between his lips.
Becca gasped.
The remainder of the morning was lost in a haze of sensual exploration, delight, and fulfillment.
Becca had her man, she thought in wonder and appreciation.
And he was good.
The End