Their fingers intertwined on Henry’s thigh, the simple contact sending warmth up her arm. The night seemed to close around them, creating an intimate bubble of moonlight and shared breath.
Henry’s free hand lifted to her face. The rough fingertips against her skin sent electricity down her spine. Her breath caught. “Ivy,” he whispered. Her name became question and permission.
She answered by leaning forward. Closing the distance between them. Henry’s mouth pressed against hers with careful restraint. His hand cradled her face as if she were something precious. Ivy felt her bear stir beneath her skin. Responding to his nearnesswith primal recognition. Heat bloomed low in her belly. She pressed closer. Her free hand slid up his chest to rest over his thundering heart.
The kiss deepened. Henry’s tongue traced her lips and swept inside to taste her. She welcomed him with a soft whimper. His arms wrapped around her waist. Pulled her against his chest. The kiss transformed. Gentle to consuming.
His hands spanned her lower back. Fingers pressed through thin fabric to heated skin beneath. Ivy explored the solid planes of his chest, and she felt the barely contained power beneath his dress shirt. She moved one hand to his neck, fingers threading through dark hair.
Henry groaned against her lips as she practically climbed into his lap on the narrow bench. His hands slid lower. Cupped her ass through her dress. The bold touch sent liquid heat straight to her core. Her panties dampened with arousal. Her clit throbbed with each heartbeat. Ivy gasped. Broke the kiss. Dragged in air that smelled of pine and lake water and Henry’s arousal.
A distant laugh carried across the water. It reminded her they were still in a public space, however secluded their little cove might seem. Henry seemed to realize it too. His breathing ragged against her neck.
“We should…” he started then stopped. Clearly struggling to form coherent thoughts.
“Find somewhere more private,” Ivy finished for him. Her voice husky with desire. “We could get a room.”
Henry held her gaze for a long moment before reaching into his pocket for his phone. “When I made the dinner reservation,” headmitted as he tapped the screen. “I saw where you can book a suite online.”
Ivy smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. “Look at you, using technology.”
He glanced up with a rare half-smile that made her heart stutter. “I’m learning.”
Their spacious suitemanaged to be both rustic and luxurious. A stone fireplace dominated one wall of the living area, with a plush sofa positioned to take advantage of both the fire and the wall of windows overlooking the lake. A king-sized bed was visible through an open doorway, its crisp white linens turned down invitingly.
Henry moved immediately to the fireplace, his practical nature asserting itself as he arranged logs from the neatly stacked pile beside the hearth. Ivy drifted toward the windows, drawn by the spectacular view of the moonlit lake from their elevated position. The water stretched like polished obsidian beneath the star-filled sky, mountains rising dark beyond its shores.
Her reflection appeared in the glass. Her eyes bright with anticipation. Cheeks flushed with desire and wine. She barely recognized herself—this woman with tousled curls and parted lips seemed far removed from the composed scientist who ran institute projects with cheerful efficiency.
Behind her, the fire caught with a soft whoosh. Golden light competed with silver moonlight streaming through thewindows. In the glass, she saw Henry’s reflection appear beside hers. His expression was intense as he approached.
His hands settled on her waist. Warm and solid through her dress fabric. Ivy’s breath caught as he pulled her gently back against his chest, his erection hard against the small of her back. His lips found the sensitive spot where her neck curved into shoulder. Teeth grazed her pulse point. She tilted her head instinctively to grant him better access, and a soft moan escaped her throat as his mouth worked against her skin.
“You smell like sunshine,” he murmured against her neck. The vibration sent shivers down her spine. “Even in moonlight.”
His hands slid slowly up her sides, thumbs brushing the outer curves of her breasts through her dress. The light touch wasn’t nearly enough. Ivy pressed back against him, felt the thick ridge of his cock press more firmly against her. One of his hands moved higher, fingers traced her collarbone before sliding up to cup her throat.
His large, rough hand against her delicate skin made her pulse jump. His other hand found the zipper of her dress and tugged it down. Cool air kissed her exposed spine, immediately followed by the heat of his mouth as he placed open-mouthed kisses along each newly revealed vertebra.
Ivy couldn’t stand it anymore. She turned in his arms, sought his mouth with her own. The kiss was deeper and more urgent than before, need building between them like electrical charge. Her hands moved to his shirt buttons and fumbled with her eagerness to feel his skin against hers.
They stumbled toward the bedroom, stopping every few steps to remove another piece of clothing. Henry’s shirt landed nearthe sofa, and her dress pooled on the floor by the fireplace. By the time they reached the bedroom doorway, he wore only dark slacks while she was down to a matching emerald lace bra and panties.
The firelight gilded Henry’s bare chest, highlighting the defined muscles of his shoulders and abdomen. Ivy ran her hands over him appreciatively, watching his eyes darken. His skin felt hot beneath her palms, as if his bear’s fire burned just beneath the surface.
When her fingers reached his belt, Henry caught her wrists gently. He guided her backward until her legs met the bed edge, then carefully lowered her onto the plush mattress. Ivy propped herself up on her elbows, watching as he knelt to remove her shoes. His large hands cradled each foot with unexpected tenderness as he placed a kiss on her ankle, then her calf, working his way upward with deliberate patience.
By the time his mouth reached her inner thigh, Ivy was trembling with anticipation, her pussy slick with arousal, her clit throbbing with each heartbeat. His breath ghosted over the damp lace between her legs, making her hips lift involuntarily. Henry looked up the length of her body, his eyes glowed amber in the dim light.
“You are so fucking beautiful,” he whispered, hooking his fingers into her panty waistband and slowly sliding them down her legs. “How did I get such a gorgeous mate?”
Ivy’s breath caught as his hands returned to her thighs, gently spreading them wider. The cool air against her wet folds made her shiver with anticipation.
The first touch of his tongue against her cunt made her cry out. He growled in response, the sound vibrating against her sensitive flesh as he tasted her.
Her fingers tangled in his hair, held him closer as pleasure built within her. Henry’s hands gripped her hips, controlled her increasingly frantic movements as his tongue circled her clit before plunging inside her. When he added his fingers, two thick digits stretching her pussy while his mouth continued its relentless assault, Ivy felt herself spiraling toward release.
“Henry,” she gasped, teetering on the edge. “God, you’re so good at this.”
