Lach pressed his lips against her exposed collarbone. He trailed kisses down to the swell of her breasts as she made soft, wanting sounds. Lachlan reveled in the sound, feeling it fueling his own hunger for her. He undid her bra and took one hardened nipple into his mouth, sucking gently before lavishing equal attention on its twin. He moved lower, leaving a trail of wet kisses along her stomach. With a devilish grin, he pulled her up and her dress fell to the floor. He hooked his fingers under the black lace fabric of her panties and slowly pulled them down until he was kneeling in front of her.
He listened to her breath hitch in anticipation as he ran his hands back up her legs. Her body smelled so good. Citrus and sunflowers and her own sweet musk. Feeling like he was in a dream, he pressed his lips against her throbbing center. His tongue traced circles around her clit, eliciting a gasp of pleasure from her lips. He continued to tease her, alternating between soft licks and gentle nips, his kisses causing her body to tremble with need.
As Lachlan explored every inch of Gina's most intimate folds, she tangled her fingers in his hair, urging him closer.
Lachlan slid two fingers inside her, curling them just right to hit that sweet spot that made Gina arch her back. Her hips rocked in time with his fingers. He held her up with one arm as he pleasured her. Her moans filled the room as he set a relentless rhythm, pushing her closer and closer to the edge of ecstasy.
"Lach," she pleaded, the word torn from deep within her throat.
He removed his fingers and eased her down on the bed.
“You’re overdressed,” she said with a smile.
He shook his head. “We’ll remedy that soon, lass. But this is for you first.” He rubbed her clit again and thrust his fingers inside her until she was writhing. Gina arched into his touch, a low moan escaping from deep within her throat.
Her eyes squeezed shut, her back arched, and she cried out his name then collapsed back onto the bed.
“God, that was beautiful. Thank you,” he whispered when she finished. She looked up at him through hazy eyes, her gaze caressing his body as he undressed. His erection throbbed with anticipation, begging for release. He took hold of himself, then rubbed the head against Gina's soaking wet folds before entering her in one swift thrust. Time stood still. The past and the present melted together as they lost themselves, their bodies moving together as if they’d never been apart.
“Let me have it, Sunshine. All those pent-up years, let me have them. I’m taking them. Oh, fuck, Gina, let go and give it to me.”
Gina’s core squeezed around his cock as she yelled out again, sending him over the edge with her.
As they lay in each other’s arms, Lachlan whispered, “Stay the night.”
And to his joy, she was still there in the morning.
* * *
Lachlan opened his eyes to find himself on the plane. He checked the screen on the back of the seat in front of him. Only a couple of hours before they landed. He prayed that wherever she was, Gina was safe and sound, and that he could keep her that way.
TWENTY-THREE
Gina, present day, Switzerland
Gina woke up hours later completely disoriented. She’d just been having a dream about the last night she’d spent with Lachlan. It was weeks after the party at Delia’s. The night before she set Walker and Kyla free.
* * *
Gina had been to Lachlan’s house many times of course, but she’d only ever seen the front room, the kitchen, the bathroom. Never his bedroom. It was as if the room didn’t even exist. No, more like shepretendedit didn’t exist. Maybe he had, too. Whenever she’d wandered down the hall in search of the bathroom after a couple of whiskeys after a long day, she’d been tempted to keep walking to the end of the hall and peek inside his bedroom. She both pretended and fought the idea that the door was ajar as an invitation, with its warm, honey light spilling out and faint wisps of Lach’s scent. How much more intense would the peaty, gingery, musky smell of his skin be on his sheets? Her body would react to memories of nights spent making love with him and she’d banish all thoughts of exploring his bedroom.
Until the next time.
But now she lay in his arms, wrapped in that safe, warm smell, and she never wanted to leave, but she also felt restless, knowing what was coming.
Lachlan was sound asleep so she carefully slipped out of his arms. He’d left a flannel shirt lying across a chair. Gina picked it up and slipped it on. Not quite as good as being wrapped in his arms, but it smelled like Lachlan’s skin. She inhaled deeply and imagined the ghost of tobacco, or maybe he was sneaking cigarettes after all.
No, he wasn’t, she decided. This shirt was soft and worn and old, from the years they’d been apart. Blue-and-red plaid, slightly frayed at the elbows. She didn’t bother to button it, but wrapped it around her like a robe and sat down in the chair. She watched Lachlan sound asleep in the bed. They shouldn’t have become lovers again. It would make leaving so much harder.
But, she’d cherish the memories of his body for whatever short time she had left in this world.
Even as she watched him, he turned over and opened his eyes the moment he realized she wasn’t beside him anymore. He sat up and looked at the bedroom door first—his first instinct was that she’d left and it was a good instinct. When his gaze fell on her in the chair his expression softened. He looked relieved, like a man who was reassured his treasure hadn’t been stolen while he slept.
Thunder rumbled outside and rain hit the window. Gina didn’t move. She stayed where she was, studying him while he studied her. They didn’t need to speak. They were far past that. She’d always been comfortable with his silences because they were still communicating. A look between them said volumes.
Come back to bed, lass,” he finally entreated. “There’s still a lot of night ahead. I want to enjoy all of it with you.” His gaze fell on her bare legs half-tucked under her. When she still didn’t move, he got out of bed. Gina watched his cock stiffen as he crossed the room to the chair. He knelt down in front of her and laid a hand on her shin.
“The queen on her throne,” he whispered.
