Almost Perfect

'Then why are you crying?'

'Because I'm scared I'll let you down.'

He stroked her lips with his thumb. 'I thought you said you were a good graphic artist.'

'I am.' She meant she feared hurting him again because she still hadn't figured out everything she wanted. She just knew she wanted more than casual sex. 'I promise I'll try very hard not to disappoint you.'

'Oh, Maddy.' He came up on his knees and pressed his forehead to hers. His hands moved over her back in soothing circles. 'You don't have to promise me anything. We'll just… take it as it comes, okay?'

'Okay.' She wrapped her arms about him and held him tight. So many emotions filled her-fear, relief, happiness, love. And desire. 'Make love to me, Joe. Right here.'

'What?' His hands went still. 'Here?'

'Please.' She lifted her head to look at him. 'Here in the moonlight, beneath the stars. Make love to me.'

He looked at her, and she saw all her own emotions burning in his eyes as he cupped her face in both his hands.

'Here,' he agreed on a sigh. Slowly he lowered his head and kissed her with a thoroughness that left her breathless. Wind sang through the trees as his hands ran over her, arousing all her senses.

Leaning into his touch, her head fell back as she gloried in the feeling of Joe touching her, caressing her. He slipped the jacket off and ran his palms up her bare arms. Needing more, she started to unbutton her dress, but his hands stopped her.

'Let me,' he whispered, his voice hoarse with desire.

Dropping her hands back to the bench, she watched as he unbuttoned her dress and slowly parted it. Night air brushed her heated skin. Somewhere in the distance, an owl hooted as Joe lowered his head. She closed her eyes, listening to the night sounds as she absorbed the feel of his warm lips on the upper curve of each breast. A quiver went through her as he pulled the lace do^vn and his mouth closed wetly over one nipple.

If she couldn't give him promises about the future, she'd give him now and the fullness of her response, letting him know he aroused more than her body. His gentle intensity went all the way to her heart.

Arching her back, she moaned as his tongue worked its magic over her tingling skin. His hands swept beneath her skirt, taking hold of her panties.

'I want to touch you,' he said, tugging at the scrap of silk. 'All of you.'

'Yes,' she breathed, lifting her hips so he could remove the barrier. His hands returned quickly, pulling her forward so she sat on the front edge of the bench. With the dress bunched up to her waist and gaping at her breasts, she was completely open to him, an offering for the taking.

Her eyes met his as he eased her thighs apart,! and a winsome smile curved her lips.

Oh, Maddy, he thought, aching to have and to keep this time. Forever. He accepted that that might never happen. Love had to be given freely. No conditions.

The knowledge made him tremble as he ran his hand purposefully up her thigh, toward the center of her heat. Her gaze remained fixed on his and she opened her thighs a fraction more.

He might not be able to hold her forever, but for tonight, this moment, she was his.

Be mine, he told her with his eyes as he slipped a finger slowly inside her. Stay mine.

'Yes,' she sighed as if she'd heard his words. 'Yes.'

He chained his own hunger and concentrated on pleasuring her, slowly, deliberately, driving her up and over the edge, soaring with male satisfaction as she slowly drifted back down.

Only then did he release his own need. He took a second to protect them both, then poised at the entrance to all that heat. Pressing into her was like entering heaven. She engulfed him, drew him in, and held him tight.

He closed his eyes, thrilling to the sensation of being part of her, yet loving her so much that he feared it.

With a moan deep in her throat, she lifted her hips, taking him even deeper, and he couldn't hold back. He thrust hard and strong, every muscle in his body tensing as the pleasure built, and when it burst free, he thought for one heart-stopping moment that he would die from it.

He braced himself, still buried deep inside her, his head back as his heart thundered. As he drifted back to his senses, he realized Maddy had wrapped herself about him, her arms and legs holding him tight as she pressed her head against his chest.

He wrapped his arms about her as well and rested his cheek against her hair, wishing he could hold her like that all night.

Eventually, though, his spent body eased from hers, breaking the connection. With a sigh of disappointment, she tipped her face to smile up at him.

'You're right,' she said. 'The senses are keener outside.'

He smiled as he caressed her cheek. 'Do you think you can walk on that ankle now?'

'Ankle?' Wicked delight danced in her eyes. 'What ankle?'

They straightened their clothes and he helped her rise. 'Come on. I'll take you home.'

Chapter 18

It's true what they say: Time flies when you're having fun. -How to Have a Perfect Life

Stretching languidly, Maddy came slowly awake, then went still as she realized this was not her bed. And she was not alone. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Joe lying behind her, sound asleep. Even with his hair mussed, he looked as handsome as ever. Maybe even more so with the muscles in his face-normally so tense-relaxed in sleep.

Fascinated, she rolled carefully toward him and propped her head on her hand. A smile of pure contentment welled up from deep inside her as she watched him.

In the week since the art show, she'd spent quite a bit of time in Joe's bed, but this was the first time she'd stayed until morning. Actually, it was the first time in her entire life she'd stayed with him until sunrise.

What would it be like to wake up with him every morning for the rest of her life? She expected the question to scare her. Instead, a sense of Tightness settled over her.

Love filled her. Warm and vibrant and glowing. And she had her answer.

I want to spend my life with you.

He woke suddenly, startling her with his abrupt switch from sound sleep to full alertness. After a quick glance about, he let his head drop back onto his pillow and his body relaxed. He smiled up at her, all sleepy aad rumpled and sexy. 'Good morning.'

'Good morning.' She grinned. 'You certainly wake up fast.'

'Must have been the noise.' He gathered her against him, positioning her until she lay with her head on his shoulder and her legs tangled with his.

'What noise?' She listened for something besides the bird singing in the cactus outside his bedroom window. The first session of camp had ended yesterday, leaving the camp almost eerily empty. 'I don't hear anything.'

'Exactly.' His lips curved against her forehead. 'Silence. One whole week with no screaming.'

She felt a little pang in her heart as she remem-bered the closing day ceremonies and the last campfire followed by a day of loading buses and emotional good-byes. After the buses cleared out, the coordinators and counselors left as well for their own week off. Other than Mama and Harold, Maddy and Joe had the place to themselves. 'You know, I think I miss Kaylee and Amanda already.'

'Yeah, me too.' He yawned. 'But they'll be back next year.'

Yes, but will I? She bit her lip to hold back the words. By some silent agreement, they never talked about the future in personal terms.

'Besides,' he added, 'we have another crop of little monsters arriving next week.'

'Well, there's a cheerful thought.' She sat up and stretched her arms over her head. The covers fell to her waist and cool morning air brushed her skin. 'How about some coffee?'

'I'd rather have you.' He ran a finger down her spine.