Patrick refused to let it go. It was just too damn important. “I didn’t turn you off, did I?” She sure as hell responded to his kiss, at least for a few moments. She tried to turn away but he gently took hold of her face. “That’s not it, is it?”
“No,” she whispered. “There’s something else. I’m not playing a game with you. Really.”
She looked like she was about to cry and that was one thing that Patrick couldn’t bear to do – make a woman cry. “Okay, Love. No more guessing.” He couldn’t resist rubbing the pad of his thumb over her cheek. “Although, I will warn you that I intend to do everything in my power to change your mind. And I don’t play fair. Is that okay?”
A small hitch of her breath was all that betrayed the hope that she couldn’t dispel from her heart. “Yes, I guess so. I’m not sure if that’s wise, though.” Actually, all she really wanted to do was throw herself into his arms and cling to him for dear life. He was so sweet.
“You let me worry about what’s wise or not. It’s my job to battle the enemy, so all you have to do is tell me what’s bothering you and I’ll surround, besiege and conquer that mother fufont size="+0" face="Calibri"> . . .” he was going to say an ugly word, but he swallowed it.
Patrick’s face had a fierce look on it and Savannah was sure that enemies had retreated from this scowl. But he didn’t scare her. She felt safer with him than she had ever felt with anyone in her life. So, Savannah sighed. “You’re so cute.” Was she making a mistake? What if he could deal with her past? The words seemed to hang on the tip of her tongue. Confessing to him would be such freedom. But it might also bring their friendship to a screeching halt, too. And she wasn’t ready for that. Savannah was greedy. She wanted to be around Patrick for just a little bit longer. So, she remained mum about Carville.
With a gentle nudge, he pushed her backwards until she lay flat, then he got down there with her – close. “I told you I didn’t play fair. Give me one more kiss. Please? For a soldier boy going off to war?” Lord, he couldn’t believe he was playing the sympathy card. He must be desperate! Yea, okay – he was.
“No, no, no. . .” Savannah gasped as his lips slowly lowered to cover hers, “. . . yes, yes.” Ripples of sensation washed over her in waves as pleasure exploded through her body. Ye gods, she could become addicted to him. He was propped up on one elbow, lying next to her; part of his big body covered hers completely. She was trapped, surrounded – one big hand kneaded the flesh of her waist and she gave in to temptation and wound her arms around his neck and clung to him like a honeysuckle vine. He smelled so good! She ate at his mouth, rubbed her tongue against his and reveled in his taste. And to think – just this morning, she hadn’t even known the man existed! “Ummm, I love this,” she whispered as they broke for air.
“I love it, too, Baby. You taste like honey. Now, kiss me back.”
“I shouldn’t. But, I want you so much. God forgive me,” she whispered. Savannah wrapped her arms around his neck and let out the sexiest kitten sigh he had ever heard. My God! She didn’t just kiss him – she nibbled his upper lip, licked the seam of his mouth and pushed her little tongue inside to tangle with his. In a matter of seconds, she had him ready, willing and able – hard as a rock - again.
As Patrick cradled her close, Savannah’s world changed completely. She knew she’d never be the same. A lifetime of starving for affection and never knowing the touch of another human being had not prepared her for the ecstasy of being in Patrick O’Rourke’s arms.
Need pulsed through Patrick like a drum. If he didn’t get his hands on her soon, he would go mad. Patrick raised up his head and looked around. “Just making sure there’s no one about.” There wasn’t. “Can I touch you?” Despite his challenge, he didn’t want to do anything she wasnt ready for. Savannah was special. If she demanded he stop, he would – in a heartbeat.
Savannah could only guess at what he meant, but the answer was going to be ‘yes’ regardless. It might not be right, but this was a moment that might never come again. “Yes, please do.” She cupped the side of his face and he kissed her wrist. “I wish you didn’t have to leave so soon. I’ll worry about you.” Even if she never heard from Patrick again after today, she knew she would never forget him.
“Are you sure?”
God, he was sweet. He had to know that being caressed and kissed by him was sheer paradise for her. She just prayed it didn’t blow up in her face later. Rubbing her hand over his chest, she encouraged him. “Touch me, Patrick. Touch me anyway you want to.”
What an invitation! But he wasn’t about to abuse his privileges. Savannah deserved consideration. They were out in the open and he didn’t want anybody seeing what one day might belong to him. But he didn’t want her to feel unwanted either. “I can’t resist finding out how soft you are.” Moving his hand up her side, he filled his palm with soft woman flesh. The lace of her bra was thin, as was her dress, so he could feel her heat
