A Perfect Storm
Page 74

“Got it. Well-lit, you in the dominant position—and plenty of laughs. Any other demands?”
Her temper sparked. “You don’t like the stipulations? Fine. Forget it.” She started to roll away.
“So bossy.” He caught her, holding her still against him while fighting a smile. “I like your stipulations just fine.”
“Baloney.”
“I want to see you, Arizona. Hell, I’m dying to see you. So lights on would be my preference anyway. And you over me just gives me a better view.”
She hadn’t thought of that.
He focused on her mouth. “Far as the laughs go, well, I’m hoping I don’t inspire hilarity, but I very much want you to enjoy yourself. What do you think?”
She scowled at him. “You’re sure?”
“I know trust doesn’t come easy for you.” Slowly, tenderly, he smoothed back her long hair. “You might want to remember that I only want the best for you. In all things.”
Oh, she could hardly wait. “All-righty, then.” Hesitant on how to proceed, she asked, “Should I get naked now?”
His hands moved down her spine to the small of her back—then just rested there. “Is that what you want to do?”
His patience wasn’t helping to put her at ease. Why couldn’t he be a little more…frenzied? Like she was? “I don’t know. It’s what I normally did when—”
His hand covered her mouth. Face tight, his expression a little pained, he drew another breath. “I want you to forget all that.”
Fat chance. Did it bother him more than it bothered her? Seemed possible. For a big macho protector like him, it’d be a tough reality to get past.
She took his wrist and pulled his hand away. “Are you trying to forget?”
He opened his mouth—then frowned. With regret, he said, “We’re rushing things.”
“So?” If he’d rush a little more, they could be halfway through it already.
“You need to get a shower.”
Was he already pulling back? Well, he could forget it. “Shower with me.”
He shook his head. “Why did I think you’d be more reasonable sober?”
“No idea.” She ran her hands over his chest. She loved the feel of his crisp chest hair. “You must not have been paying attention.” She also loved the feel of his strong bones and firm muscles, and just looking at him made her insides quiver.
She wanted to do this, she really did.
“Oh, I’ve paid attention all right. Count on it.”
Having no idea what he meant by that, she leaned down and teased her nose over him. His scent left her more intoxicated than the whiskey had. “I gotta tell you, Spence, you are one sexy dude.”
His smile came reluctantly. “Thank you.” Then he caught her and eased her back. “But I think maybe I should shower and shave, and—”
“You’re looking for excuses, aren’t you?” Disgruntled, she scowled at him. “You sure you want me?”
“Very sure.” He again looked at her mouth. “More than I’ve ever wanted anything.”
That surprised her. So did he mean, like, more than he had wanted Marla? And what about his wife? And that bimbo he’d been cuddled up to in the bar last night? Or did he just mean recently? “So you’re saying—”
“I want you, Arizona Storm. Never doubt it. I’m dying to kiss you, to get you naked—even though you smell of stale whiskey.”
“I do?” But of course she did. Unwilling to breathe on him more, she pursed her mouth. Good grief. She hadn’t even thought about that.
He smiled. “I want you even though you have makeup all around your eyes.” Regret replaced the smile. “And a few colorful bruises.”
She scowled, then pushed up to sit on the bedding. “The bruises bother you?”
“Of course they do, because it means you got hurt again.” He came up beside her and stroked her hair over her shoulder. “I’m going to kiss each and every one of them. It won’t really help, but it’ll make me feel better.”
He sounded all husky and affected, and that affected her. “It’ll make me feel better, too.”
He pressed small kisses along her jaw, to her ear and then over her shoulder. “You sure about that, honey?”
She shivered. “What do you mean?”
He continued kissing her, soft, damp kisses in surprising places that left behind a tiny tingle. “Forget about your past for a minute, okay?”
Not really possible, but she shrugged. “Yeah, okay.”
“Do you understand what I want to do to you? How different it’s going to be?”
She thought she’d known, but now… “Um…maybe?”
“You’re trying to rush through things, but I want to take it slow.” He lifted her hair away, and she felt his tongue on her nape, then the edge of his teeth. “I’m glad you want the room well-lit, because I want to look my fill.”
“Me, too.” She couldn’t wait to explore his big, strong body.
His hand touched the inside of her knee, drifted up her inner thigh.
Sensation chased ahead of his fingertips; anticipation left her breathless.
But he stopped short.
With his mouth touching her temple, he whispered, “I want to touch you, and kiss you. All over.”
Her stomach seemed to tumble. “All over?”