Too many times over the evening since his return, she’d wanted to reach out and touch him there. To feel the coarseness of those hairs and to press her cheek against them.
The kiss before he’d left on his dangerous mission had left her craving more. Yet, he hadn’t made a move.
His hands moved to her shoulders. Slowly, gently, he turned her to face him. “Are you avoiding me?”
She looked up into his eyes. “No. Of course not.”
“You haven’t stood still since the others left.” His brow furrowed. “Are you afraid of me for some reason?”
Unable to help herself, she raised her hand to his chest. “I’m not afraid of you,” she said, adding softly, “I’m afraid of myself.”
He gathered her carefully into his arms. “Why would you be afraid of yourself?” Rex bent to press a kiss to her forehead. “You’re beautiful, caring and brave.”
“I’m afraid of how scared I was when you left earlier. Afraid I’m starting to care too much.” She rested her forehead against his chest. “Afraid you won’t care as much for me in return.” The last bit she let fade out, hoping he wouldn’t actually hear her confession. At the same time, she wished he would.
“Oh, Kimo.” He rested his chin on the top of her head, his arms holding her close but loosely enough she could easily break free. “How can two people learn to care for each other in such a short amount of time? I’ve had a hard time believing it can happen. I keep thinking it’s an anomaly that will clear when the danger is over.”
Kimo sighed. “I feel the same.” She looked up into his eyes. “But if this is only for now, why not ride the wave? Take the dive. Live in the moment.”
He cupped the back of her head and leaned down until their lips almost touched. “I don’t want to leave a broken heart or leave with one.”
“Rex Johnson, I didn’t know you could be so poetic,” she whispered. “I promise not to be broken-hearted if you promise the same.”
“I’m not sure I can make that promise,” he said and took her mouth in a gentle kiss.
Her hands slid up his chest to lock around the back of his neck, deepening their connection. She opened to him, seeking his tongue with hers, caressing, tasting...loving how it felt.
She wasn’t sure she could make that promise either.
In the kiss… In the moment… She wasn’t sure of anything but the desire... No... the need to be in his arms, to get as close as she could to this man who’d saved her life.
His hands slid down her back, cupped her bottom and lifted.
Kimo wrapped her legs around his waist as he turned and pressed her against the wall.
“I want you so much,” he whispered against her mouth. “If you don’t want the same, speak now.”
“There’s a captain’s bed in the other room,” she suggested, nibbling at his bottom lip. “Or up against the wall could be more exciting and challenging.”
He chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He crushed her mouth with his and then carried her into the bedroom. Without turning, he kicked the door shut behind them.
A light burned on the nightstand, giving the room a warm glow. The bed was neatly made with a blue chambray comforter and fluffy white pillows.
Rather than lay her across the bed, he set her on her feet, captured her cheeks between his palms and stared down into her face. “Your eyes are like dark pools I could fall into and never find my way out.”
She covered his hand, anchoring it against her cheek. “Keep it up, soldier,” she said. “Flattery will get you everywhere.” Kimo slid her hand along the opening of his shirt until she reached the middle button and flicked it open. One by one, she worked the rest of the way down to where the shirt disappeared into his trousers.
There, she unbuckled his belt, flicked the button open on his trousers and slid the zipper down.
Rex’s body and cock stiffened.
Kimo covered him with her palm, a powerful sensation washing over her. She’d made him that hard. He wanted her.
She wanted him.
Rex parted the opening of her coverup, slid it over her shoulders and tossed it onto a chair.
Desire surged, filling Kimo with a sense of urgency. The need to be with him. Naked. Skin pressed against skin. His hard shaft buried deep inside of her.
