“I’m sure.” He was burning up, but not from fever. He stepped closer. “Are you still interested?”
She didn’t back away. “I could be persuaded…if I knew what brought on the change of heart.”
He dove in completely. Meeting her gaze, he lifted a lock of her long hair, winding it around one finger. “I didn’t like it when those guys tried to hit on you back at Angel’s.”
Her eyes darkened to a richer hue. Desire shimmered in the chocolate depths, and a pleased smile tipped her lips. “So that explains your snippy behavior.”
“You sound pleased.”
She shrugged. “Maybe I am. Nobody wants to be rejected, even if the reason is a sound one.” She paused, biting down on her lower lip.
“I’m not turning you down this time,” he assured her.
She nodded her head in understanding. “But…”
“What?” He couldn’t take it if she rejected him, and steeled himself for whatever she said next.
“Are you sure you’re up to it?” She reached out and gently drew her hand over the still-fresh scar on his chest, her fingertip delicate and hesitant as she touched his skin.
Memories of waking up and seeing her in his hospital room came flooding back. Of Sara asleep in a chair, watching over him—caring for him. Yes, they’d already bonded emotionally, and knowing she cared deeply merely assured him that this next step was right.
Necessary.
As necessary to him as breathing, Rafe thought. Because there was no way he could walk away from her.
“So, what do we do now?” she asked.
“This.” Rafe tugged lightly on her hair and pulled her toward him.
She came willingly.
Her lips met his, and all the oxygen sucked from the room. This was what he’d been waiting for. Starving for. He swirled his tongue inside her mouth and found himself surrounded by her scent and her taste, aroused by the sweet feel of her lips urgent and insistent on his.
She snuggled in close, plastering her body against his until his bare chest crushed her br**sts. Skin against skin, every soft curve pressed tightly into him. There was no room between them. Not even air.
She trailed kisses with her lips from his mouth to his jaw, her hot breath against his cheek, her wicked tongue whispering over his skin.
He shuddered from the arousing sensations he never wanted to end.
“Take me to bed,” she whispered into his ear.
She asked for what she wanted, and he liked that about her.
Rafe grabbed her hand and led her into the bedroom. He paused by the nightstand and opened the drawer, pulling out a box of condoms.
“I like a man who’s prepared.” She sat on the bed and eased back against the pillows, the pose provocative and arousing: everything he hadn’t let himself want, there for the taking.
His heart beat hard inside his chest. He placed the foil packet on the corner of the mattress and sat beside her, deliberately leaving the dim light on so he could enjoy the view. Her hair fanned over the pillows, her eyes hooded and pupils dilated. He watched in awe as her ni**les tightened, peaking beneath the flimsy material, silently beckoning to him.
He slipped his hand beneath the thin strap of her top, his finger deliberately grazing her skin. “I never knew you liked silk and lace,” he murmured. But he was damned glad she did.
Sara lifted one shoulder in a light shrug. “That’s because we didn’t spend much time together outside of work,” she said, her voice sexy and raw.
“That’s because I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you.”
“And now you don’t have to.”
She met his gaze, her need crystal clear, so he slid the straps down over her arms until the entire camisole gave way, pooling around her waist, exposing her full br**sts to his view.
He hadn’t known she was so full or ripe, and he wondered what other surprises awaited him. His mouth watered, the need to taste her growing stronger. “Beautiful.”
She made no move to cover herself, merely braced her hands behind her, thrusting those luscious mounds forward, teasing him, tempting him, as she waited for him to make the next move.
He cupped her br**sts, letting their weight settle in his hands, her ni**les puckering and pressing into his palms. Just the feel wasn’t enough; he turned his attention to those tight peaks, rolling and plucking her ni**les between his thumb and forefinger, watching with satisfaction as she threw her head back and writhed beneath his touch.
He’d found her sensitive spot, he thought, pleased, and continued the sensual assault.
Her breathing grew more and more uneven, and suddenly Rafe was on a mission to see how far he could take her this way. Dipping his head, he sealed his lips over one breast, pulling the distended bud into his mouth. His other hand never left her other breast, and he continued giving them equal attention.
Her breathing increased, while his body tightened more with each pant until her body convulsed and she let out a long, drawn-out moan of pleasure.
He lifted his head in time to see her slide her hand from beneath the waistband of her silk shorts.
Startled, he met her heavy-lidded gaze. “Should I be insulted?” he asked lightly.
Because he wasn’t. He was even more turned on.
She shook her head, a naughty look in her eyes. “Only if you’re insecure.”
He burst out laughing. “I admire a woman who isn’t afraid of anything.”
She grinned. “I believe it’s your turn now.”
“I’d like mine the old-fashioned way.”
“I think that can be arranged.” A slow, seductive smile curved her lips. “I don’t want you to exert yourself. You’re still recovering, after all.” She sat up and eased his shoulders down until he lay flat on his back.
Liking this show of control, he placed his hands behind his head and grinned. “Then take care of me, babe.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Sara pulled the string on his sweats, releasing the waistband, then lowered the soft cotton only to discover he wasn’t wearing boxers. Or briefs. Or anything but a raging hard-on meant just for her.
She glanced at his swollen member and swallowed hard. “Commando.”
He merely shrugged.
“That means you sleep…”
“Naked.”
Just as she’d thought.
“Is that a problem for you?” he asked.
“It certainly isn’t.”
“Good.” He kicked the sweats off, leaving him gloriously naked. “Your turn.” He watched her intently.