“It is you they should be grateful to.”
He slipped his arm around her slim waist, and they walked from the campfire. “Not really. If it wasn’t for your courage and persistence none of this would have been possible. It is because of you that they have a chance at a new life.”
“I refuse to take all the credit.”
“Too bad, it’s yours,” he teased and hurried her along. “But if you feel you owe me something, then I suggest—” He leaned down and nuzzled her neck.
“How romantic.” She giggled and scrunched her neck, trying to prevent his sensual tickles.
“You want romance?” he whispered, and suddenly scooped her up, flinging her over his shoulder. He grabbed hold of the rope and they were up to the tree house before Storm could protest.
She sighed and rested her head on his chest while he carried her into her small quarters. Then slowly he began to undress her piece by piece while gently kissing every exposed part of her.
Her passion lit like an ignited flame, bursting with a quivering heat. She melted under his kisses, his touches, and was aching with the want of him by the time he stripped naked and took her to bed.
“Lord, I’d love to take my time with you but I want you so badly I don’t think I can wait.”
“I feel the same,” she urged, her hands reaching down to feel his readiness.
He groaned. “Damn, but I love when you touch me.”
“I love the feel of you, especially inside me.”
He took her lips in a frantic kiss before saying, “Then let me give you what you love.”
She grabbed hold of his arms, strong and taut as he eased himself inside her slowly and gently, until she swung her hips up and took him in her with a solid push.
They both groaned and set a rhythm that had the bed rocking, their hearts pounding, and their bodies sweating.
Afterward they lay beside each other, hands clasped, while their breathing eased and their satisfied bodies completely relaxed.
“Promise me you’ll take no unnecessary risks,” Burke said softly.
Strange that he should say that since she was thinking the same herself. This would be one rescue mission that she wanted desperately to survive. The others never mattered to her, but then she didn’t have anything to live for. Now she did.
Now she had Burke.
“I promise,” she said, and meant it with all her heart.
“I don’t know what I would do if I lost you.”
The tremor in his voice told her just how sincere he was, and it touched her heart and quivered her stomach. Lord, but she wanted a chance at a life with this man.
“I feel the same about you. I never believed I could feel that way again; perhaps I feared feeling that way again. Now, however, I’m glad I have you to love. I forgot how truly wonderful loving and being loved feels.”
He leaned on his side and ran his finger gently over her lips. “I want you to keep my love strong in your heart while on this mission. Know I am with you at all times and know I will not let anything happen to you.”
Storm kissed his finger and attempted to ease his concern and possibly her own. “My stubbornness will not allow me to remain captured.”
“And my stubbornness will make certain that you return to America with me.”
“Which has been your plan from the beginning, to take me to America,” she accused teasingly.
He kissed her softly and grinned. “And my plans always succeed.”
Storm silently prayed it would be so. It had to be so. She loved him too much to lose him.
Chapter 35
