Chapter Ten

The next morning, Dave woke in an up mood, more himself than he’d felt in far too long. Even the usual nagging morning aches stayed low-key.

Nate pushed up from his seat and gathered his breakfast dishes. “Hey, Dave, I’m heading out on a hike for some photos. Want to come along?”

“Sure.” Dave snapped out his agreement without a glance at Livie as she chatted with the girls. Not that he wanted the space, but space might be wise and hiking with Nate was another stab at normal life.

Only, prying himself from the seat for a hike was tough when he’d rather break camp, steal Livie away to a hotel in Vegas or Laughlin with room service and a king-sized bed, and not come out for the next five days. Yep, greedy, but she made him feel something besides anger and loss.

Livie and the girls waved them off with smiles and settled back into their chatting and laughter.

Nate and he hiked along in companionable silence, reminding Dave of simpler days. Nate’s frequent pauses to shoot pictures slowed the hike and, as Nate focused on light and shadow and depth of field, Dave’s mind wandered into snips of botany and biology and the unique balance of the ecosystem in this land of rock, sun, and heat.

But, like a rubber band, his thoughts snapped right to Livie and what she’d shared yesterday. What the hell was he to do about this thing with Livie?

He enjoyed how she could fish peacefully beside him, without needing to fill the quiet with chatter. He liked making the tension ease from her eyes and shoulders. That sex between them was incredible went without saying. He loved seeing the passion rise in her eyes and ensuring she enjoyed every moment.

But Sunday was coming fast, along with the end to this peaceful vacation time-out. The thought of letting Livie go set his teeth on edge, but a real relationship between them hadn’t an ice cube’s chance in hell of working out in the real world. Geography alone was a big, awkward problem, and just because he was successfully ignoring his personal issues didn’t mean they were fixed. There was too much Livie needed that he just couldn’t give her. She’d fall in love again someday and make that man a very lucky guy.

Now, if only that prospect didn’t jab like a rusty saw blade through his gut.

This is why breaking your rules is a dumbass thing to do.

“So what’s the deal with you and Livie?” Nate crouched by a clump of beavertail and adjusted his camera settings.

He was in no mood to be cornered about Livie. “Just spending time together.”

“You never just spend time with a woman here.”

“So?” He headed up the trail. Maybe if he kept walking Nate would drop the subject.

“She just divorced the asshole.”

Dave planted his cane and turned sharply. “I kinda know, yeah.” He jammed all his frustration into his words.

“She’s not ready to get involved with anyone. She’s not like your other hook-ups. You’re going to hurt her.” Nate glared, gray eyes hard as concrete. “You need to back off.”

“Hell, what are you, her brother? You know me, Nate, I don’t hurt women.” Hadn’t they done this argument a year ago? Except then, Nate had been the one making an ass of himself.

“Your love ’em and leave ’em history isn’t what Livie needs. She needs someone who’s going to be around, someone who wants a family.”

Blind rage burst out of nowhere. The next moment he had his hand twisted in Nate’s shirt. “Who are you to know what Livie or I need? You don’t know a damn thing!”

Dave shoved Nate away, but turned too sharply on his bum leg—

Falling. Sick tumbling through darkness.

He hit the stony ground hard and clumsy, as if he’d never learned to fall. His elbow slammed a rock. Blinding white pain stole his breath, and the brief seconds of helpless falling set off the damn shakes.

“Dave!” Nate reached down.

Dave rolled to his side, clutching his arm, gasping against the false terror inflicted by his screwed-up head. Thorny pains stabbed his hip. Sunbaked stones seared against bare skin. His eyes watered, half his hand was numb, and his elbow burned and throbbed. Shit! If he’d broken another bone…

“Just piss off!” he gasped, struggling for breath and control.

“Shut the hell up, pal, and hold still.” Nate planted a hand on Dave’s shoulder. “Stop being a moron. You’re shaking. What did you do to your arm?”

The worry in Nate’s eyes was the worst. Dave grimaced. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

“Let me look. You’re bleeding.”

Dave knocked Nate’s hand away and gingerly stretched his arm. Okay, bruised and cut, but okay. He pried a mesquite twig from his hip where three thorns had clawed into him through his shorts.

“Damn, you’re a pain in the ass, Quinn. I only gave myself a stinger on the funny bone. I’m fine.”

With his worried gray eyes saying bullshit, Nate hauled Dave to his feet. “Why the hell they call it the funny bone, I don’t know. Nothing funny about it.”

Dave jerked from Nate’s steadying grip, nearly toppling again. Brilliant. He jammed his fists against his hips, fighting the shakes.

Nate shot him an irate frown and dug around in his camera bag, pulling out an antiseptic wipe and bandage. “Hold still!”

He submitted, fuming while Nate cleaned up the scraped elbow.

“We’ll head back.”

“No. I’m not fucking fragile.” Dave grabbed his hat and slapped it against his thigh. “Take your damned shots. I need to walk.” His best friend thought him an asshole? Beyond furious, he limped off along the path.

“Dave, damn it!”

He flipped Nate a finger and kept walking. Yeah, he had a history of keeping dates shallow and physical, with the lines always clear-cut. On purpose.

He’d had enough experience with serious to have learned the hurtful way that shallow was best for both parties. He worked too hard and played too hard to give more to a relationship. A commitment meant body, time, and emotion. His never being around was unfair to the girl. He didn’t need someone worrying over his jumps and the fires and not hearing from him.

But the job is gone, and are you sure you made those lines clear this time?

The day’s heat steadily soared and slowly baked the mad out of him, but not the guilt Nate’s challenge had raised.

Just before they reached the trail into camp, Nate stepped in front of him, pinning him with those far-too keen eyes. “Look, I’m sorry I got on your case. I’m just concerned for you both.”

“It’s fine. Sorry I lost my temper, but Livie and I aren’t up for discussion.”

“Got it.”

He squashed the guilt. Nate was still wrong, Livie and he were fine…but maybe they should clarify the situation.

However, as he stole Livie away over the next few days on the pretext of fishing or sightseeing, should and able proved two entirely different matters. He needed to be with her, to lose himself in her too much in the now to focus on the future. Their time together was more pure and perfect than he’d experienced before in his life.

Then why doesn’t it feel…enough?

****

“Morning.” Dave slid an arm around Olivia’s waist, pulling her away from the coffee pot into a sweet, blatant kiss.

“A very good morning.” She loved the warm, firm press of his lips against hers, his beard’s scratchy rasp. She loved his natural, down-to-earth public displays of affection. If he wanted to hold her hand, steal a kiss, or wrap his arm around her waist, he did, inspiring her to be as free in return.

Anticipation rose. She craved him and losing herself in his arms. Where would they go today?

Out of the blue, a flurry of guilt nipped her. In her involvement with Dave, she’d forgotten to worry over Uncle Jake, and she hadn’t talked to Mama in days. She would make two quick calls when they reached the marina.

However, today everyone hung at camp, spending as much time talking and skiing as possible, as if spurred by melancholy at how few days remained to share together before heading homeward Sunday morning.

She only had three full days left on this trip, and they faced the edge of decision: what would become of this relationship? Neither of them had discussed the future. She’d walked into this affair, recklessly, but with eyes wide open. He’d made her no promises.

The sensible action would be simply accept this relationship as a natural, healing rebound, part of learning to move on with her post-R.J. life. Dave was a fun companion and had given her a wonderful gift: she wasn’t lacking or frigid or any of the failings R.J. had belittled her with throughout their marriage.

Yet, below the delight Dave had brought into her life, shadowing sorrow lurked. Why couldn’t she have discovered this with R.J.? She’d loved him so deeply in the beginning.

Blindly. And hid your head in the sand.

Rage boiled in a scalding, aching rush. R.J. had chosen other women, denied her the chance to find this intimacy and pleasure together, denied her his patience, and worst of all, denied her respect.

And the deepest ache was her anger with herself that she’d failed to demand any of it from him.

After supper, most everyone headed off night fishing. She’d expected Dave to join them, but he’d grabbed the seat beside her and popped a beer. JoAnn and Lloyd were babysitting the twins, and Margie, Nate, and Kay were keeping them company.

The evening cooled. The children fell asleep and were tucked into their beds. The men reminisced animatedly about long-ago trips, full of happy memories and laughter.

Kay and JoAnn knew the old stories well, but the do-you-remember conversations left Olivia lost in their history. Margie and she exchanged commiserating shrugs. The hazards of being the new kids among old friends.

When she slipped away to freshen her drink, Kay joined her and surprised her with a warm hug.

“Thank you.” Kay’s voice caught, husky with emotion. “It’s good to see Dave being himself again. I’m sorry again for what I said the other night. You two are good together.”

“We’re just friends.”

Kay hugged her again and stepped away with a smile. “Right.”

Dave laughed at something with Nate, and stretched in his chair, raising his arms up and back, drawing his T-shirt tight across his chest. He did look better, some of the old snap and playfulness brightening his face. He’d simply needed this time with his best friends and to immerse himself in happy memories.

When Olivia returned to her seat, Dave slipped his hand in hers without pausing his conversation, his warm, callused fingers wrapping around hers in a welcoming squeeze.

Tonight, life was very good.

Content, she drifted along in the rambling exchange, until a yawn escaped her. She smiled and rose. “Good night, all. Too much sun and fun for me today. I hear my cot calling my name.”

Dave rose with her and slipped his arm around her waist. “I’ll walk you back.”

“Thanks, I’d like the company.”

After a round of goodnights, they headed up the hillside trail. In the distance, a coyote sang, a lonely, oddly serene song. Odd creaks, whirs, and chirps added their own delicate rhythm to the night’s peace.

“You okay being alone until the others get back? Might be a couple more hours.”

“Yes. I’m very comfortable here. I understand why you all come year after year.”

“I can hang awhile, if you like?”

“I’d like.”

Down in her camp, he turned on the lantern for her and then kicked back in a chair. “Go on, do your thing.”

Olivia was glad of his company, but, despite the physical intimacy they’d shared and being accustomed to the lack of personal privacy in the camp, following her bedtime routine with him watching was strangely awkward. After changing clothes to the light tank top and knit shorts she slept in, she turned to find him slouched comfortably, his face set with a contemplative expression. He straightened and held out his hand.

Heat swept her. When she took his hand, he drew her down to straddle his lap and into a devouring, hot kiss, body to body. Groaning, he traced his lips over her cheek and pressed kisses down her throat with licks and little nips. “You smell so good. You taste even better.”

His hands cruised to grip her bottom, greedy and sensitive, and drag her tight against him. They strove together for more and more contact, her body riding against his, her soft to his beautifully hard, lost in the hungry, crazy kisses. She loved this tease of tongues and deep wet kisses and shared breath. Oh, what he could do with his mouth…everywhere.

He skimmed his hands underneath her top to cup and stroke her bare breasts. “I need you.” Another groan growled from him. “But…”

“We’re alone. We’ll hear them coming.” Excitement sizzled, and she reclaimed his mouth, abandoning all worries.

“Your cot. Now.” Briskly levering her onto her feet and then himself, he backed her toward her tent, locked in a rich and consuming kiss. Despite greedy hands and hungry mouths they managed to let go long enough to unzip and zip the netting doorway.

Struggling to strip clothing and laughing as limbs tangled in the confined space, they sprawled onto her cot. She sighed at the heavy warm press of his body. His mouth sank over hers, sparking off more feverish, delicious kisses and touching. Aching for him, she wrapped her legs around him impatiently. “Hurry.”

Dave shoved away abruptly, expelling a fervent “Shit!” and leaned over, searching his hand around the tent floor. A gusty “Thank you!” followed by a thin crinkling rip set her to laughing.

He grinned, anchoring himself over her on those strong arms and returned the laugh as he thrust inside her. They both groaned in relief, loud in the quiet night and they shushed each other, breaking into more stifled outbursts of silly laughter. He silenced them both with another hard, deep kiss and slick, gliding thrust.

She latched her hands on the cot railing, urging him on with a roll of her hips, and again, still impatient.

“Aw, that’s the way.” He growled and filled her hard, harder, his controlled roughness exciting. She rose and met each stroke in the crazy hot wonderful pace. They’d only made love in the heat and glare of broad day. Night changed, intensified everything. Touch, sound, smell, taste, all grew close and intimate. The raspy dark stubble of his strong jaw. His fierce kisses. The salt on his skin. That perfect, warm outdoor scent of him. How he filled her so deeply. Her heart pumping in a storm of sensation and emotion.

This time the heat rose and streaked through her, powerful and wild, and before she had a chance to marvel, she shattered in hot, lovely bursts.

He smothered her cry under his kiss and shifted on the rocking cot, raising on his arms as he drove into her again and again. All she could do was feel, feel, feel, loving to watch as he came with a guttural, breathless “Livie!”

Chest heaving, he sagged against her.

“Wow,” she gasped. “So glad I bought the sturdier cot.”

“Wow, hell, yeah.” Panting chuckles shook him and he pressed his cheek to hers. “Good choice.”

She stroked his sweat damp shoulders and laced her fingers into his hair, combing strands away. Stretching contentedly, she tightened around him, relishing his reflexive jolt within her and his long satisfied groan. He shifted them to their sides, keeping them joined, and tugged her close, their lips brushing drowsy kisses, his eyes deep and thoughtful. As she drifted in sweaty, boneless bliss, he played his fingers over her skin in lulling strokes.

They’d have to move soon, but this was lovely, yes, very, almost perfect…

The next she knew, she was waking alone to the rumble of Chuck’s boat arriving at camp, the sleeping bag draped over her and her top and shorts tucked under her hand. She wriggled into her clothes and played possum as her campmates tiptoed about readying for bed. She hugged her arms around her, breathing in the scent of Dave clinging to her skin, missing the weight and heat of him, and uneasy with the odd hollowness left by his absence.

****

Saturday arrived, and the girls had a party planned for the evening to celebrate the last night of vacation and Nate and Kay’s first anniversary. Incredible to think that a year ago they’d all been at that Las Vegas hotel and he’d kissed Olivia for the first time—that so wrong, so right, unforgettable kiss.

At the last moment, he changed his mind about the party. He didn’t want anyone dancing with Livie on this last night. Seeing her in another guy’s arms—no, just couldn’t bear that picture.

Dance with her yourself then.

Hah! Like that could happen. He didn’t dance, never could, and sure as hell couldn’t now.

He threw his sleeping bag and pad onboard and packed a picnic dinner of easy to nibble finger food into his boat’s cooler: tortilla chips and salsa, sliced leftover steak, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, and for dessert, sliced apples and chocolate chip cookies. He needed this last night for himself. He needed Livie, to lose himself in her body until he couldn’t think anymore about tomorrow. Selfish. Yeah.

Nate’s accusation rattled around his head, “Your love ’em and leave ’em history isn’t what Livie needs. She needs someone who’s going to be around, someone who wants a family.”

He hated that Nate was right. He wasn’t going to be around. He didn’t want a family. He wasn’t what Livie needed. Only…

Hell. Everything had gotten so damned complicated.

He pulled Livie aside, wrapping his arms around her waist, and nuzzled a kiss below her ear. “I know there’s the party and all, but come cruise with me. We’ll have a picnic supper and count stars.” He held his breath, a mixed-up mess of hopeful and doubtful.

The way her eyes softened and smile bloomed sparked a fresh burst of hope, lust, and guilt in his chest.

“Sounds lovely. Let me talk to Kay a moment.”

She pulled Kay aside and whispered in her ear. Kay hugged her, giving Dave a nod and a smile over Livie’s shoulder.

Dave headed the boat south, taking Livie on the promised cruise along the shoreline, sweeping into coves and rounding points, finding her vistas for vivid sunset photos, and then cut across the lake and turned north, until he spotted the notched hillside marking the private cove he wanted. Camp lay far across the lake beneath the blazing gold, orange, and purple sky.

As he anchored, he caught Livie’s puzzled glance around the rugged, beachless cove.

“Kick back and relax. We’re picnicking onboard. No beach, but we’ll catch a nice breeze here and we can always swim off the platform.” He dug in the cooler and pulled out a water bottle with two lime slices floating inside. “A vodka and tonic for you.” He winked and handed her the bottle.

“Thanks.”

“And a beer for me. Here’s to us.” He tapped his can against her bottle and brushed a kiss to her mouth.

While Livie watched curiously, he unfurled the bed pad, sleeping bag, and largest beach towel onto the cockpit floor, with more rolled towels for pillows, building a comfy nest between the bench seats.

“All set. Give it a try?”

Livie smiled and slipped down onto the makeshift bed. “Very cozy.”

He eased down beside her, and she reclined in his arms. They lazily exchanged playful kisses and fed each other bites of food, relaxing to the tranquil sway and rock of the boat as the sun sank slow and hot over the Eldorado Mountains and twilight deepened.

After the last bite of apple, Livie caught him close, clasping his nape, lengthening their next kiss, and his comfortable ease flashed over into sharp need.

She nipped at his bottom lip, and he opened his mouth to her with an encouraging rumble of approval, tightening his hand on her hip.

All too quickly, she broke the kiss and pushed up to kneel beside him. His hands tightened possessively for a second before he reluctantly released her.

Livie traced her fingertips over his cheek, her eyes solemn, as if she wrestled some difficult question. The desert evening’s peaceful quiet and the lake’s rhythmic lap against the boat and rocks filled the interval.

Raising a brow, he smiled to encourage her. If she needed to talk, he’d listen.

With a nervous sip of breath and a new, determined expression, she straddled his lap, her weight on her knees as she caught her T-shirt hem and pulled the top away in a perfect slow reveal of her lovely breasts cupped in her red bikini. Her nipples raised tight points behind the fabric.

He clasped her hips, nudging her to settle into his lap.

She hesitated, always so gentle and cautious.

“No problem here.” He tugged her forward, her slim body a welcome weight on his thighs.

He ran his hands up her ribs to caress her breasts, drawing her nearer to press a kiss to each, nipping gently over her bikini top. She arched into him and caught onto his shoulders as he bit and sucked, her body brushing his straining erection.

“Yes, that’s the way.” Losing himself in pure sensation, he played with her breasts and mouth, sharing deep kisses and silky strokes of tongues, rocking together, skin growing damp and tingling hot, and enjoyed her every expressive writhe and shiver.

Breathless and aching for her, he pulled back and dropped his hands to rest patiently on her thighs as they caught their breaths, fighting to keep things slow, rather than rolling her under him to drown this need in her as his body demanded.

Their gazes locked, he slid his hands to the back clasp of her bikini top. At her nod, he freed the hook.

She licked her lips, caught the string tie of her top behind her neck, and slowly pulled the bow loose. The freed ties clung to her shoulders, barely holding. Drawing a breath, she skimmed a finger down along the tie until she reached the string join of the bikini cups. She smiled, and with a gentle tug, let the top fall away from her perfect breasts.

His body tightened, pulse sped, and his mouth watered, but he locked his hands firmly at her hips. “Tell me what you want.”

****

What did she want? A firm sway of the boat sent her riding against the hard ridge of his arousal. Under the sweet surge of pleasure, her mind stuttered. Everything.

“Tell me.” His dark low growl fired a fresh hot blush.

She’d always let him take the lead. Could she? Her heart rushed at the idea. Actually take charge? “I want…you to kiss me.”

His slow smile broadened. “Where?”

Stop worrying.

She took a breath, cupped her breast, arching back and offered herself up.

He bent his head, and closed his mouth over her nipple, engulfing her in sweet hot bliss.

His tongue rasped, pleasure jolted her, and she cried out. He chuckled softly and resumed the lovely torment of sucking and gentle bites. She clutched at his arms, panting and squirming in his lap. Those moans were hers?

He straightened. “Tell me what else you want.”

What? Jarred by the loss of his hot mouth and distracted by the warm night air whispering a sensual prickling chill over her wet nipples, she struggled to answer. “I want…”

That was the problem. She wanted so much her mind spun with indecision.

“Whatever you want. You can’t do anything wrong.”

Not true, but his reassurance was sweet.

I like being touched, he’d said, and she liked touching him. She wanted to explore. “I want you to take off your shirt.”

“That’s easy.” After dragging off his T-shirt and dropping it aside with her clothes, he lounged back, breaking into an irresistible smile, arms outstretched over the seat cushion behind him, all sculpted muscle and bone, scars smoothed under the shadows of evening.

Next?

When in doubt, kiss.

Olivia laughed and claimed his mouth. Losing herself in the sweet sensual kissing diverted her mind from stressing over her odd role of initiator in their play. She drew her fingers through his dark chest hair, traced over the firm, flat nub of male nipple, and stroked his taut belly. Making free with him was easier when she wasn’t looking into his eyes. She pressed her lips to his shoulder and scattered kisses over his chest, exploring his body with fingertips and lips, liking the texture of hair, the sharp contours of muscle under smooth skin, absorbing the wonderful, rugged feel of him. Her lips brushed his nipple, provoking a sharp inhale and chuckle from him.

“Oh yeah, that’s very good, sweetheart.”

Following his earlier example, she flicked her tongue against the tight nub.

“Yes. Again.”

Smiling at his demand, she gave another lick. Sucks, nibbles, and tugs, he liked them all. He rocked beneath her, his arousal hard and tempting.

Restless and needing the familiar comfort of his mouth again, she brought her lips to his. He crushed her close, skin to skin. The hot kiss deepened, rhythmic with the press of their bodies together and the lovely liquid sway of the boat.

“I need…” she panted. Her lips throbbed, breasts tingled, her belly clenched. She felt wild and frazzled.

“Tell me.”

“I need to…see all of you,” she gasped.

“Tell me.”

Oh, he was making her crazy pushing her to speak her desires. She sat back on her heels. “I want you undressed.”

He flipped the waistband button to his cargo shorts, and the soft slow rip of the zipper followed, freeing his erection.

She flushed and looked up.

His eyes locked on her, his smile warm and playful. “And?”

“Yes, off.” She burned ever hotter.

He raised his hips and shoved down his shorts to kick them away.

She skimmed her gaze over him, taking in his teasing grin and hot eyes, the sculpted bone and muscle, the trail of dark hair and his rigid arching length. Oh, sweet heaven, he was glorious when nude. Her own fantasy warrior lounging there boldly, scarred and battered by life, but perfect to her eyes.

“Now what, sweetheart?” He stroked his hand over his length, his eyes amused.

Okay, her turn. Firmly ignoring her steamy blush and the last nervous gasp of modesty, she rose, keeping her eyes locked on Dave. He’d seen all of her, touched all of her, tasted all of her—honestly, any claim to modesty was long abandoned. Taking courage in those lovely, sensual memories, she shimmied down the bikini bottoms until they fell away. Without a stitch on, she posed under the moonlight, steady on the outside, foolishly quaking inside and fighting the impulse to cover herself with her hands.

Dave raked his gaze over her, and his cocky grin melted into stark desire. “Damn, you’re beautiful.”

His rough voice shivered delight through her. She took his offered hand and sank down, straddling him once again. Rising on her knees, she arched her back, offering her breast to his mouth. “Kiss me.”

With a groan, he dragged her close and grazed the barest peaks of her breasts with soft kisses. Then the hot, wet heat of his mouth engulfed her, and he suckled and rasped his tongue over her, melting her with delight. She braced hands against his shoulders and shivered and moaned, adoring every moment of his play with her breasts and yearning for more.

She gasped. “I want you to touch me.”

Dave lifted his head, his intense eyes glittering in the moonlight. “Where? With what? Tell me.”

Of course, he wouldn’t let her escape the specifics in this game they played. She swallowed tensely. “I want you to touch me, with your hand…” Unable to say the words, she shut her eyes and slid her hand down her belly. Out loud, the choices always sounded so clinical or far too coarse.

Be bold…

If only. She forced her eyes open, meeting his sizzling gaze as she deliberately slipped her fingers lower to where she craved his touch. “Here.”

“Tell me, exactly.”

“Here…I need you…” Words failed her, but the shadowy night made demonstrating easier. “This…this.” He already had her so aroused, her own hesitant touch sent her shuddering.

With a deliberate, approving smile, he cupped her head, drawing her to him, and took her mouth in a slow deep kiss as he claimed control of her hand and guided her fingers to slide and graze.

Rippling pleasure followed his light stroke. She sighed. Yes…

His low laugh followed, and he replaced her fingers with his, stroking and slipping in to fill her. Sweet lightning streaked. Bliss was instant and consuming. She gripped his shoulders and rode his caressing hand and the long, lovely release he drove her to, everything in the world disappearing but Dave in that timeless moment, her heart soaring and breaking simultaneously as she let herself pretend this was more than a summer affair.

Once she’d come back to herself and caught her breath, she brushed a kiss to his mouth. “Now, I want to touch you.”

“Where?”

“Everywhere,” she blurted.

“Then touch me.” Anticipation sparked in his eyes, and a pleased smug smile curved his mouth.

Olivia caressed a hand along his jaw, tracing her thumb across his lip, laughing when he nipped and sucked her thumb into his mouth. Shifting to kneel beside him, she traced the line of hair over his taut belly and the anticipatory jumps of muscle, stroked through the thick hair, and teased her palm along the smooth hot skin of his shaft and lower to fondle him gently.

Dave groaned, low and rich. “Oh yeah, that feels so good, sweetheart. I love your hands.”

The sight of her hand on him was arousing in itself, and she delighted in the power to please him with her touch and in how he let himself freely and loudly enjoy, completely abandoned to pleasure. Hot and feverish, her whole body pulsed with want. If only she could let herself be as easily free and let passion without worry rule.

Abruptly, Dave caught her to him and held her, his breath heaving. “Real good, sweetheart.” He chuckled. “Almost too good. Damn, I love being in your hands.” He took another long breath and easier exhale. “So what do you want to do next?”

Pleasuring him had left her madly needy, and ideas and curiosity flooded her. “I—” But what if she asked something he no longer could do and made him uncomfortable?

You started this, you better carry on.

Her words burst free. “I want to try…making love in a different way.”

“How?” He lazily folded his arms behind his head. “Tell me.”

“I want you to show me something new. Show me something good for you…and me. Tell me. Teach me.” A fresh surge of heat swept her, both nervous and expectant.

Lips pressed in a serious smile, he roamed his thoughtful gaze over her body and returned to meet her eyes.

“Okay.” He stroked her hair. “It’s a beautiful night. Let’s watch the stars together.” He shifted against the cushions, sitting upright, and reached into his bag. A moment later, he produced a condom and sheathed himself with sensual deliberation.

“Now, honey, scoot around like you’re going to sit in my lap.”

He guided her to kneel over him, her back to his chest and caressed her hips. “You have the most gorgeous back and ass.”

He pressed kisses to her back. With his hands on her hips, he nudged her to rise and sink down, taking him slow, full, and deep.

“So tight.” He groaned and wrapped her in his arms, his chin on her shoulder, cheek to cheek, keeping them close and still, bound in exquisite connection as they breathed together in beautiful timeless quiet. Surrounded by the dark lake and the immense bowl of the shimmering night sky, her every nerve alive and quivering, her body pulsing around him, this was like making love while floating among the stars.

Releasing a peaceful sigh, he set her hands to her thighs and his hands to her hips, guiding her into a sweet, easy rise and fall.

So much to feel: his gentle, work-worn hands cupping her breasts, his hot mouth nipping at her ear, the sensuous pinch of his fingers, and his steady deep thrusts. He slipped a finger between her legs, teasing near, almost there. She clenched around him, shivering heat coiled through her, and she bit her lip against her groan. So good, so close. His steadying hands and hips urged her onward. Breath rushing, her thighs straining in their driven pace, trembling set in, and her body tightened, readying, promising—

“Oh, Dave!” Stars shot through her, bursting and vibrating through her body, and she leapt against his embracing arm, trapped in pleasure as he drew out her release.

“How was that?” He murmured against her shoulder. “Like that one?”

She gasped in a breath, blissfully weak and limp. “That was…incredible.”

“Felt awesome from here too. Hold on, going to shift us over.”

Dave rolled them to their sides, still deep within her, shifting her so they lay nearly crosswise, her one leg raised. He took her mouth hard, the kiss as commanding as his body within hers, as if imprinting himself on her every sense forever. She shook under the slow forceful strokes and incredible tension. She loved feeling his strength. She loved his groans, his growling indistinct urgings. She soaked up every slick, gliding thrust, the sweat and slap, cling, and slide of shaking, Dave looking fierce and sexy and loving as they strained body against body, gasping together, rising to reach that tantalizing conclusion.

Yes, yes, yes—The feelings rocketing around her were just freedom and sex and lust and everything about the night, but she went and did the worst thing possible. She fell out of need and into love.

Sweet and sharp, she came again, burning and shaking as if the stars flared to sun bright. She cried his name.

He kept her flying until a last hoarse groan ripped from him, “Aw, now, now,” and beautiful strain gripped his face. He collapsed against her with a laugh and cuddled her as aftershocks shivered through them.

They lay quietly for a time, and Olivia drifted in the sweet exhaustion.

She’d fallen in love with Dave. The realization was lovely and terrible. R.J. had swept her away like a tidal wave. With Dave, she’d leapt, wild and hard and, oh, so into trouble.

He stirred with a groan, his lips brushed over her mouth, and he pulled away. “Just be a moment.”

She nodded. Maybe this confused falling feeling wasn’t love. She’d been terribly wrong about love before. Maybe this was only relief, satisfaction, and happiness, and the press of insights too formless to let free as words.

Oh, Dave, thank you for everything, and what on earth will I do when you go home?