She spread her legs, pressing against his arousal.
'Now take me, Red. Take me!'
She raised her body, positioning herself. Nick grabbed her by the waist, then waited for her agreement.
'Nick?'
'Together, Red. Let's do it together.'
And they did. In one swift, synchronized move they became one. Addy flung her head back, her long red hair cascading down her back, feathering across Nick's legs. He thrust up and into her again and again with a savage urgency that almost sent him tumbling over the edge. He slowed the pace, then stopped, allowing her to take over while he reached for her breasts.
The sensations were so intense that Addy couldn't stop herself from increasing the pace, riding him harder and harder until fulfillment burst inside her like a giant balloon of red-hot pleasure. She screamed out, her throaty voice echoing in the darkness, rivaling the resounding booms of thunder. Spasms of ecstasy shook her body; then she collapsed on top of Nick.
He gave her the time she needed to recover from the series of aftershocks that rocked her. She covered his face with kisses. He ached with his need, nearing the breaking point. With three hard, animalistic surges he found his own satisfaction. He spilled his seed into her with powerful, jetting release.
Addy clung to him, crying for joy at the sounds of his loud groans. She was Nick's woman; he was her man. Tonight they had come together, mating like beasts, unable to control their baser instincts. It had been savagely glorious and gloriously spiritual. Despite the very carnality of their lovemaking, their union had created an eternal bond. Addy knew, as surely as she knew her name, that she would never let Nick Romero go.
Easing Addy to his side, Nick raised up, gazing into the black sky, listening to the sounds of impending rain. 'We'd better get inside, Red, before the bottom falls out.'
They helped each other to their feet. Nick regretted that he couldn't carry Addy inside. With his bad leg and in his weakened condition, he might drop her.
Sensing his feelings of regret over not being able to carry her to their bed, Addy dashed toward the door. 'Catch me!' she teased.
He laughed, realizing that she'd known how much he wanted to lift her into his arms and carry her. He followed her inside. She was bent over, pulling the quilt and top sheet down the antique iron bed that had been painted a dark moss green. Coming up behind her, he rubbed against her, then gave her a playful shove. She tumbled onto the bed and turned over quickly, spreading open her arms. 'How long will it be before we can do it again?'
Lowering one knee on the bed, he leaned over her. She stared into his eyes. 'I don't think it'll be too long. You wore me out, Red, but parts of my body are still raring to go.'
She glanced down at that part of his body and smiled. 'Someone told me that men past forty couldn't do it two times in a row.'
He came down on top of her, sliding into her wet, tight sheath. 'Someone told you wrong.'
« ^ »
Addy awoke to the sound of drizzling rain. Opening her eyes, she looked across the room to the unclosed door leading to the porch. Pellets of moisture had sprayed through the screen, dotting the wooden floor with raindrops. Reaching out for Nick, she found an empty space on the other side of the bed. She rolled over onto Nick's pillow, burying her face in the softness as she breathed in his unique scent that clung to the hand- embroidered case. She cherished every element that made Nick Romero who and what he was, even the lingering smell of his manliness mixed with her feminine fragrance.
Last night had been—magic! There was no other word to describe what had happened or how it had made her feel. Despite the fact that Nick hadn't proclaimed his love for her, not even in the throes of passion, Addy knew in her heart that he loved her. He might not be able to admit it to himself quite yet, but sooner or later he would face the truth. They were meant for each other, destined to be lovers. He was her champion, her paladin, the man she had waited a lifetime to love. And she was his woman, the
Addy wondered where he was. When she got out of bed, she remembered that she was stark naked. Smiling, she thought about her clothes and Nick's strewn about in the living room. Glancing across the bedroom to where Nick had placed her suitcase on the small French sofa, Addy debated whether to wrap herself in the lightweight quilt on the bed or to seek out her satin robe. She decided on the robe, quickly making her way across the room to her suitcase. Slipping into the floor-length, sea-foam green robe, Addy began searching for Nick. After a thorough check of the four rooms and bath, she returned to the bedroom and opened the door to the porch. Stepping outside, she felt the cool, misty spray of summer rain.
Nick stood at the edge of the porch, wearing only his jeans, unbuttoned and riding low on his lean hips. His body was coated with a fine sheen of moisture, his thick black hair curling around his neck and ears. He held a large ceramic mug in his right hand as he leaned against the banister railing with the other. He seemed totally absorbed in watching the rain.
When Addy approached him, he turned. The smile that lit his face quickened Addy's pulse. His eyes glistened with the look of beckoning temptation.
'Good morning, beautiful,' he said. 'You've slept half the day away.'
She stood several feet from him, simply staring at him, thoroughly enjoying the sight of his big, bronze body —remembering every word, every touch, every sensation the two of them had shared. 'I feel beautiful. You've made me beautiful.'
'You were always beautiful, Addy.' He put the mug to his lips, downing a swig of black coffee.
'Have I really slept half the day away? What time is it?'
'Almost eleven.' He grinned, then nodded to his cup. 'I've made coffee. Want some?'
'How did you make coffee? I didn't see anything in the kitchen except an old wood stove.'
'Former SEALs and DEA agents are very capable. We're used to surviving under primitive conditions.'
'You built a fire in the stove?'
Setting his mug on top of the banister, Nick walked toward her, limping heavily. Every nerve in her body alerted itself to his approach, sending tingles of excitement racing through her.
'I'm good at building fires.' Leaning down, he took her lips in a good-morning kiss as passionately sweet and moist as the rainy Georgia day.
He threaded his fingers through the long, silky mane of her hair, cradling her head in his hand, drawing her closer and closer, deeper into his kiss. She skimmed the side of his face, letting her fingers caress his jaw. Gradually, he slowed the kiss, then rested his forehead against hers.
She traced his ear with her fingertips, circling the diamond stud sparkling in his lobe. 'When did you get your ear pierced?'
He hit her playfully on the neck as he wrapped her in his arms. 'While I was in the hospital. After I nearly lost my leg.'
'What made you want to have your ear pierced?' She tongued his ear, then nuzzled the side of his neck.
'My hair got long and my beard and mustache grew, so I looked pretty scruffy there for a while. One of my nurses said I looked like a pirate, that all I needed was a gold hoop in my ear.'
'You're very susceptible to suggestion, aren't you?' She gasped softly when Nick loosened the tie belt on her robe and slipped his hands inside, cupping her behind.
'Very. How about you, Red? Are you open to a suggestion?'
When he pulled her against his arousal, she sighed. 'Was she pretty?'
'Was who pretty?'
'The nurse who talked you into having your ear pierced?'
Nick chuckled, sensing Addy's teasing remark displayed a certain amount of jealousy. 'She was very pretty. Bosomy and blonde. And she didn't just talk me into having my ear pierced, she actually pierced it herself and supplied the gold hoop.' He felt Addy stiffen. She tried to pull back, but he held her tightly. 'You asked, Addy, and I told you the truth. I'll never lie to you.'
'What—what happened to the gold hoop?' Addy hated the blond nurse and every other blonde who'd ever been a part of Nick's life.