He straddled her, bracing his knees on either side of her thighs. He then tilted her chin and kissed her. Hot, fierce, and any number of adjectives, it had her moaning in seconds. Memories of that night and the feelings he’d produced inside her had Lani sliding her hands under his shirt to feel his big, hot body.
“I know we shouldn’t,” he whispered against her lips, “but I can’t seem to stop wanting you.”
“I know, me too.” Lani acknowledged his words for the truth. Acknowledged how she’d felt seeing him again and the subsequent times after that.
He stripped off her shirt, then his lips were there, teasing her breasts through her bra. There was nothing gentle about him this time, nor did she want that. Lani wanted him to ease the ache inside her, and she wanted it now.
“Can’t wait.” She tugged up his head and hauled his shirt up his body. “Now, Noah.”
He stripped her in seconds, then lay her down on the pile of clothing. His fingers stroked her damp flesh, teasing, tormenting until she grabbed a handful of his hair and tugged. “Now, damn you!”
“Shit.” His jaw clenched.
“What?”
“No condom.”
“I’m on the pill, have had a checkup, and am clean. You?” Lani should have asked this question last time, but she’d been unable to think.
“Yup.” He parted her legs and slid slowly inside her. Silken tissues stretched to accommodate him, and both of them moaned. “So good, Lani.” He drove in and out of her and the tension climbed.
She held on, wrapping her arms and legs around him and not letting go as he took her to that place, sending wave after wave of pleasure through Lani.
“Let go for me now, baby.”
She felt it then, that wonderful pleasure approaching. Shuddering, she did as he asked. He followed, and she was pretty sure she’d pass out from the experience. Breathless, sated, they both took a few minutes. He rolled to one side and trapped her hand on his chest.
Above them, weak light dappled their bodies as the Redwoods shielded them. It was quiet, beautiful, and Lani couldn’t remember a time in the last four years when she’d felt so close to another person.
“I can’t believe we just did that here, where anyone could have seen us.” She felt the need to say something.
“No one comes this far off the trails, usually… except you. Why were you sitting here alone?”
“Mrs. C came back and said I needed to go for a walk. Buddy’s here somewhere. He and I were exploring and found this place. I was sitting and listening to some music. Having some alone time.”
“I thought you were staying above the shop now. Isn’t that alone enough for you?” His hand was in her hair, running softly through it. It felt wonderful.
“It is. But I wanted to explore the trails and ended up here. The Redwoods are magical.”
“They are. I’ve lived my entire life with them, and I’m still in awe.”
Silence settled around them, and Lani wasn’t sure why, but she felt at peace. That thought scared her enough that she got to her feet and tugged her clothes out from beneath him.
Noah had said after the meeting earlier that she was running from something. How had she forgotten that? How had she forgotten that he was a risk to her?
“What’s the hurry?” He lay there watching her dress, his large body naked and sated. He looked like a relaxed jungle cat.
“I need to find Buddy and get back. I-I have to sort out my bed for tonight and move in my clothes.”
“I can help.”
“No!”
Silence settled between them, and suddenly it was tense and uncomfortable.
“Noah. This can’t happen again.”
He got slowly to his feet.
