Another arm surrounded her as well and this hand lay on her breast. It was still but as she woke further she became acutely aware of its positioning. Memories returned of what she’d done yesterday to get the information to put Moreno away, and everything else that had led to Chris holding her for comfort.
She leaned back into the circle of his arms and he tightened them around her. Her heart soared at the subconscious gesture and wished she could stay like this forever. She could lie here with his arms around her, protecting her, and she’d never have to go back to working for or being afraid of Moreno. But if she stayed in this bed she wouldn’t see her family again.
She missed them desperately and wanted to go back home but wondered what she’d find. Would they welcome her like the prodigal son with open arms and a fatted calf? Or be pissed she’d left to begin with, without letting them know what had happened to her that they’d want nothing to do with her? Or maybe they’d allow her to come home but the close relationship she’d had with them would be strained and awkward and she wouldn’t feel as if she was truly wanted.
They could be disgusted at what she’d been doing all this time. If she tried to minimize the danger of Moreno, would they think she was merely lounging on the beach all day, avoiding responsibility? Were they happier with her gone? One less mouth to feed or buy presents for. Were they mad at her? Did they miss her at all?
Moisture filled her eyes and she blinked to clear it away.Get your mind on other things.Dwelling on the past wasn’t going to do her any good. She still had to go to work every day until they could put Moreno behind bars. Soon, she hoped. Was the information she’d gotten yesterday the key to his demise?
Once they arrested Moreno she’d be free to leave this place and do whatever she wanted to. It also meant she wouldn’t be living with Chris anymore. She knew this day might eventually come and she never thought it would be a problem. But now, lying here with his arms around her, she realized that he meant something to her. He’d edged his way inside her heart and captured it. Did he even know it was his? Did he want it?
She closed her eyes reveling in the feeling of his firm chest pressed against her back. She’d been self-conscious when they’d first begun their pretend relationship and needed to be familiar with each other in public, but she’d soon started to enjoy his touch and kisses. He seemed to enjoy it too.
But it was all a game to him. A serious FBI game but still simply a part of his undercover assignment. He’d said so the first morning she’d been here and he’d begun to call hersweetie. For her it had become much more.
She’d changed a lot since she left home almost two years ago. Naïve, never imagining people could be cruel and twisted. The fresh little comebacks had come easy, how could they not with three brothers teaching her? But since being here she’d grown up, a lot. Become more independent and proud. Independent in order to survive as no one was around to give a damn about her situation. The pride was something her parents had instilled in her, but it had grown stronger and she’d needed to keep it close to her so she didn’t succumb to the easy way out like many of Moreno’s women did.
Memories of last night and Barone’s hands touching her, made her skin crawl. Chris’s masculine hand now moving against her chest didn’t cause any revulsion. He would never touch her with the same crude intent as Barone or Moreno. His feelings might not be the same as hers but he respected her and that meant the world to her.
He pushed one of his legs between hers and the fingers on his other hand began to stir as well. She should pull away. His breathing told her he was still asleep, not aware of what he was doing. But it felt too good and she didn’t want him to stop. Needed his hands on her to erase the feeling of Barone’s revolting fat ones. Was it wrong to want a memory of Chris? She had their sweet and sometimes passionate kisses and innocent touches, had their brief seductive romp in the surf, but she wanted something more.
* * * *
Chris was having the most delicious dream. He and Meg were finally tangled in the sheets and he was caressing every inch of her delectable curves. Her skin was silky and smooth and her gorgeous ass was pressed firmly against his crotch making him hard and ready. It was so incredibly real that he didn’t want to wake up.
His mind became more lucid. This was no dream. He was indeed exploring Meg’s curves and his leg was between her firm, lean thighs. She used them to press his leg closer to her core. Soft sounds floated from her throat and he throbbed with desire. Had she noticed the twitch near her backside? He should stop right now. She was probably half asleep and didn’t realize what was happening.
He halted the movement of his hands and she grumbled. Her back arched and her chest pushed farther into his grasp as she whispered, “Don’t stop, please.”
He nuzzled his nose into her neck. “We shouldn’t be doing this.” His hands didn’t listen. He moved his other leg over her hip as she ran her hand along the soft fabric covering his thigh. Her fingers dug into his muscles and moved up until she kneaded his hip and butt. Now it was his turn to groan.
“Oh, sweetie, that feels much too good. Really, we shouldn’t.”
Her head moved up and down again as she turned her body to face him. “Yes, we should.”
Desire flashed from her eyes and he was lost. She needed him, wanted him. As her white knight he was required to do her bidding. A sly smile grew on his face and he lowered his head to touch his lips to hers. “Yes, M’Lady.”
They’d kissed plenty of times but he thought this kiss was somehow more powerful than all the others put together. Maybe because this one was truly from the heart and not simply a ploy to fool others. This kiss was fooling no one. It didn’t need to, it was real.
She tangled her arms around his neck pulling him closer. He leaned over and rested on his elbows so he didn’t crush her. Tracing his tongue along the outside of her mouth he was whisked away to a place he hadn’t been to in a long time, maybe never. When was the last time he’d been filled with this much emotion and longing? Sure, he’d had great sex with his share of women, even imagined himself falling for them at times. But what he was feeling now, it had never been this strong. This woman did something to him and he didn’t understand what. But it felt good and right. It also scared the crap out of him, because it felt permanent and forever. Would she want permanent and forever? Didhewant permanent and forever?
In the past he always thought there must be something better out there. He never wanted to make the same mistake his father had made, giving in to his desire without thinking of the consequences. But Meg wasn’t married and neither was he so they certainly weren’t cheating on anyone else. The way he was feeling about her, he didn’t think therewasanything better out there. She was it.
Her mouth opened as a moan escaped and he swooped in, allowing his tongue to meet and dance with hers. He’d felt the wit and sting of that tongue but now felt the sensuality of it as well. Such versatility.
He let his hands travel over her curves while she moved her hands to stroke along his back. When she pushed his shirt up to reach more of him, he pulled it over his head, tossing it aside. Her eyes showed unabashed appreciation and he swelled like a peacock, knowing she’d shown this admiration during their pretend liaisons but she had no reason to pretend right now. No one was watching.
He nipped at her lips then slid his down her cheek to the hollow of her throat. That sensitive spot called to him. The one he’d hit several times while they’d been making out by the pool so Moreno didn’t know they were listening to every word. She shuddered so he sucked on the tender skin, her tremors growing.
She threw her head back, tiny whimpers erupting from her throat. The sound sent spikes of desire straight to his shaft. He drifted lower with his mouth while he crept his hands under her top to finish what he’d been doing when he woke up. Her hands caressed his shoulders and back. Her touch set him on fire and he wasn’t sure there was anything cool enough to douse the flames.
Her little cries incited him further and he tugged on the hem of her top. She lifted enough for him to rid her of it, tossing it next to his on the floor. The sight of her left him speechless and stunned. Her generous breasts were firm with dusky nipples nearly begging for his mouth. He honestly never expected to get the privilege of viewing this perfection.
He didn’t want to think about who else had seen her and was sure Meg wanted to forget as well. He lowered his head pressing gentle kisses to the top of her swollen breasts. He traced the outside of the curve with his fingers and took her tight pink bud into his mouth.
“Oh, God,” she cried out, her breathing heavier than it had been. Clenching her hands in his hair she held him tightly to her chest and raised her legs on either side of him. His arousal settled into the apex of her thighs. The thought of how close they were was almost painful.
He lavished her perfect breasts then trekked south to her taut abdomen, ducking his tongue inside her navel. She slid her legs around him and clenched her hands in his hair.
