Chapter 23 #3
When she stood naked in front of him, he gave her a soft smile. “You’re exquisite,” he murmured. “Inside and out. Never doubt it.”
The cool cabin air hit her skin, and she shivered. “Colton. I need you to hurry it up.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. In a flash, he was naked and rolling on protection.
“Where the heck did you get a condom in the middle of bum-screw nowhere?” She blinked. “Let me guess, you keep one in your wallet.”
“I believe in concealed carry.” He gave her a self-satisfied grin. “You never know when you might jump a smokejumper.”
“I bet you were a Boy Scout. Always prepared.”
“Damn straight.” He eased her down to the sleeping bag and covered her body with his. The warmth of his skin was intoxicating.
Hungry desire spiraled through her. She squirmed beneath him, her breasts meeting the firmness of his chest.
“Dammit, Davis, I can’t stay mad at you when you do this!” she breathed.
“That’s why they call it makeup sex.” He trailed kisses to her stomach, and his hands skimmed either side of her body to her thighs.
“I’d say it qualifies,” she groaned, her breath hitching the lower he kissed.
He paused with his warm lips below her belly and looked up at her.
“You drive me out of my mind,” he growled. “It’ll take a shit ton of slurry to put my fire out, baby.”
“Show me how much.” She threaded her fingers through his hair and tugged him to her so she could lose herself in him.
They molded into each other, their touches needier now, tinged with the possibility they could lose each other after what they’d each been through. Colton’s hands explored her body as if he feared she’d vanish.
Deanna raked her nails down his back. “Never walk away from an argument with me again.”
“Not when making up feels like this.” He caught her lower lip between his teeth, and she gasped. “Don’t take risks again like you did today. Deal?”
“Deal.”
“Best thing is, you’re mine. All mine. Don’t you forget it.” His possessiveness made her feel claimed, like she was truly valued. And truly his. He couldn’t care less about her truckload of flaws and weaknesses.
“Then claim me.”
“I’ll do more than that.”
His mouth found the dip at the base of her throat, then his lips traveled lower. Her hands tangled in his hair as he worked his way across her ribs, the curve of her hip, the soft inside of her thigh. By the time he lifted himself over her, she trembled, begging without words.
When he entered her, they both gasped, the sensation a glorious relief after the emotional turmoil of the day. The ancient bunk groaned under them as they burned into each other. She wrapped her legs around him, drawing him in, wanting him where physics didn’t allow.
She arched into each thrust, every motion an unspoken apology.
I’m sorry. I’m here. I’m yours.
His name spilled out of her, and he answered with a broken whisper in her ear. Their argument was replaced by an urgency that had built since they’d each had their close calls. She’d lost track of how many.
He thrust into her, and the pressure intensified, a primal ascent toward an electrifying summit that only he could deliver. Her body tethered to his, anchoring herself to his stability in a dangerous world that had spun wildly out of control.
His breath caught, and it unraveled her as a white-hot flash of euphoria launched her over the edge with Colton’s name on her lips. Her body racked with pleasure as he followed her over, shuddering, his arms tightening around her like he’d never let go.
Afterward, the only sound was their breathing as they spiraled down. The bunk had survived, which was a miracle. Colton drew light circles on her hip while she listened to his heartbeat return to its normal rate.
“So.” Colton tucked her hair behind her ear. “First fight, first makeup sex. We’re hittin’ milestones.”
“While hunting kidnappers in the mountains,” she pointed out.
“One thing is for sure,” he said, chuckling. “You can’t say we’re underachievers.”
She laughed, the sound filling the tiny cabin. “We’re insane.”
“Yes. Both of us are very much insane.” He gave her another luxurious kiss, his arm heavy and warm across her stomach.
In the back of her mind, words from a notebook she’d scribbled a lifetime ago surfaced.
Step Three: Do. Not. Sabotage. For once in your life, don’t sabotage it.
So far, she hadn’t. Knock on wood.
Somewhere in these mountains, Kylie was still captive in the hands of a criminal. The clock didn’t stop for nightfall, and guilt tugged at Deanna for every hour she didn’t spend searching. The drainages turned deadly in the dark, and a wrecked rig would help no one.
Tomorrow they’d resume searching. But tonight, in this forgotten cabin, she and Colton found each other again. He’d called her reckless. She’d called him a control freak. They were both right, so they called it a draw.
“No more running off alone,” Deanna reaffirmed.
“Check. No more treatin’ you like you’re a damsel in distress,” he said.
“Also check. Seal the deal with a kiss.”
Their kiss led to making vigorous love again. And for this brief respite, Deanna was euphoric, knowing they were right where they needed to be.
In each other’s arms.