Chapter Thirty-Six
That evening Sarahprepared a simple meal of pork chops and salad, and Big Jim retired early, sauntering down the long hall to his room.
At last Ben was able to let down a little of his guard.The threat had been neutralized.He’d done his job.
Sarah put her hand in his and led him into her bedroom.A single, low wattage lamp cast long shadows in the room and provided only a soft, golden glow.
Ben went willingly.In the last twenty-four hours, he’d tried to stay close so she’d know she had his support.She wasn’t a trained warrior, not a military leader, had no experience with violent criminals, nor ones who also happened to be insane.He understood that as a civilian, she’d have much to deal with and would need time.For him, when he’d seen the madman attacking Sarah, he’d had no compunction in eliminating the scum.He felt no remorse now.
But then, he’d spent years as an elite military warrior, years on the battlefield.He was hardened, experienced.
Sarah was an innocent.
With the eyes of an eagle, he watched her, observed everything she did, even when he was pretending to check his phone or help her wash dishes.
Clearly, she was struggling to process her ordeal in that cramped town square bathroom.He wished he could help her through the difficult period, yet he didn’t know how.Usually when presented with a problem, he was certain of his course.Now, he was at a loss.
Sarah seemed out of sorts, unhappy, scattered in her thinking.
Now closing the bedroom door, she turned her face up to him.In the low lamplight, her expression showed need and a tinge of sadness.She smoothed her palms up his chest to link at his nape.“Make love to me, Ben.”
“Sarah,” he whispered, thrilling to her words.Taking her into his arms, his fingers trembled.“I didn’t want to push you.”
“I need you,” she breathed, and offered her mouth for his kiss.
As tenderly as he knew how, he touched his mouth to her lower lip, her chin, her cheeks, all the while cupping her jaw with one hand and holding her anchored against him with the other.She needed him?Well, for him, her touch was essential.Urgency to join with her nearly overwhelmed him.
Forcing himself to go slowly, he undressed her, kicked his own clothing away.In moments, they were both nude.
He kissed her neck, made his way down her chest to draw one sweet nipple into his mouth.Her head fell back, and she groaned, a sound he loved.Unable to wait, he rose up again to kiss her.
Still standing, he placed his hands beneath her bottom and lifted her to him, fit himself to her, and entered her.Lost in pleasure, she helped him, wrapping her legs around his hips.She clutched his shoulders, ran her tongue up his throat.
The touch of her tongue on his skin electrified his senses.Still, this was not the time to rush.
He pivoted to the bed and lowered their joined bodies to the mattress.Neither bothered to peel back sheets, and they made love on top of the comforter.Neither spoke, letting their bodies do their communicating through breathy sighs, caressing strokes, kisses, and their intimate connection.
Time became a ribbon, a river they rode while unaware of its fluid passage.Their unhurried lovemaking held a different quality than before.As urgently as Ben wanted her, he couldn’t go fast.Not this time.In his hands, he held her soft, warm buttocks, rocked her in agonizingly slow motion.As though they drifted down a lazy river, he moved with her in a gentle, gliding rhythm.
