Three
Brant closed and locked the door behind them, sealing out the world, sending her pulse thundering, making her question her decisions. The pain of his desertion still lay coiled in a corner of her heart.
She reminded herself he was still the same man who’d left.
Or was he?
He’d never been so revealing before. His explanation about his mission had been laden with emotion, captivating her. She’d viscerally experienced his loyalty to his fallen teammate, and she respected that.
Enough so that she’d boldly responded to his sensuous, demanding kiss. And then shocked herself by inviting him back to her cabin.
Though her brain continued to blast warnings at her, she ignored them in favor of the hunger burning inside.
“Ready to eat?” He dropped his backpack to the tile floor.
“Maybe later.”
His slow, sizzling smile riveted her. “Something else on your mind?”
She trailed two fingers down his chest, stopping on his rock-hard abs. And then she gasped when he leaned toward her purposefully, seizing control.
He backed her up against the door, sweeping up her shirt, then effortlessly tugging off her sports bra. Her eyes widened, and her mouth parted. Her nipples throbbed with insistent demand.
“I’m asking permission.”
Always, always, he was the gentleman, even in the throes of passion. “I want you.”
As she kicked off her sandals, he unfastened her hiking pants and let them fall.
Before her, he dropped to his knees and tugged off her panties.
Unerringly he closed his mouth around her heat, licking, sucking, driving her wild. Her knees buckled, and she grabbed his hair so she didn’t topple over as the first climax ripped through her. “Brant!”
He spread her wider, then teased her clit with his tongue, flicking back and forth until her knees buckled.
“I need…” This was so much, too much, and simultaneously not enough.
“Ask me.”
He’d never allowed her to be passive. At first she’d been uncomfortable, but over their time together, she’d discovered her own power, and she’d always appreciated that.
“I want you inside me.”
“Fuck, Kara. From now till the end of time.” He inserted a finger deep inside her, angling it to find her G-spot.
Sensation after sensation ripped through her, and she screamed his name, digging her fingertips into his shoulders. “I want more, Brant. Make love to me.”
He groaned. “Please tell me you have condoms.”
“In the bathroom. Through the bedroom.”
He captured her wrist, loosely enough that she could escape. But she didn’t want to.
It only took him a few seconds to find the half-used box, the same one she’d had at the old place.
He picked it up, then glanced at her.
“It’s only ever been you, Brant.”
“Jesus.” His groan was guttural, arcing through her.
Impatiently she fisted his shirt, untucking it with one solid pull. He helped her take it off, then she tossed the garment on the vanity.
His chest bore a couple of new scars, another awful reminder of what he’d been through. She ached for him, and a sudden yearning to keep him safe rippled through her.
After pocketing a condom, he swept her from her feet and carried her to the bed. Gently he sat her on the side of the mattress.
“I missed you.” She’d never meant to admit that aloud, but his honesty had created an air of intimacy that invited her deepest confession.
He removed his pants. From his biking, his calves were chiseled, and his tight boxer shorts showed off his buttocks that were perfectly shaped.
Their gazes locked, he removed his underwear.
Her mouth dried. No matter how many times she saw his naked body, the hard angles and flat planes mesmerized her.
He bent to retrieve the condom, then extended the packet to her. “Will you do that for me?”
“Yes.”
He was hard, and a tiny drop of precum glistened on his cockhead. Shocking herself, she leaned forward to capture it with the tip of her tongue.
“Stop.” With a groan, he cupped her head and eased her away from him. “I won’t last more than a couple of minutes if you keep that up.”
Kara ripped open the packet and rolled the thin latex down his massive girth. As always, she experienced a shiver of apprehension at his size. It never seemed possible that he would fit inside her.
She looked up at him, and he smiled, reassuring her.
“I’ll make sure you enjoy this.”
He captured her shoulders and laid her down before pinning her arms over her head.
She gasped when he licked one of her nipples. As it pebbled, he sucked harder, then gently bit it. Arousal arrowed through her, and she lifted her lips, more in demand than invitation.
“Not yet, my precious Kara.”
“But—”
“I’ll decide when you’re ready.” His voice was implacable, and she knew no amount of arguing would sway him.
He slid his hand between her legs, then stroked her clit.
Desperate to hold on to him, she struggled to free her wrists, but he held her firm. “You’re driving me mad!”
As she helplessly writhed, he brought her to the edge but never let her go over it.
He captured her mouth, and she tasted her earlier orgasm. It was more intoxicating than the wine they’d shared.
As he deepened the kiss, he slid a finger inside her, then he eased in a second, stretching her wide.
Certain she couldn’t take any more of his sweet torment, Kara wrenched her mouth away from his. “Make me yours.”
With a moan, he adjusted their positions, and she parted her legs to welcome him.
He entered her slowly, giving her time to adjust.
“Yes.” In their time apart, she’d fantasized about him, but nothing compared to the reality of inhaling his scent, being branded by his kiss, having her whole body tingle. This was right. More than that, it was perfect.
With calculated restraint, he brought her to orgasm once more.
Their gazes locked, and flames of hunger burned in his eyes.
“I never want to let you go.”
Part of her wanted that too. But the cost of being in a relationship with him was too high. There was no doubt he’d leave her again, and she wasn’t the type of woman who could deal with that. “We’ve got tonight, Brant.”
“It’s not enough.” His words were uneven, broken with emotion.
She gave him a tiny smile, but it couldn’t hide her pain. “It has to be.” She closed her eyes against the tears that scorched them.