“I can’t.”
Her mumbled words, had him loosening his hold.
She pulled her head from his shoulder. “I can’t. I can’t do this.”
He looked into what he knew were dark brown eyes, despite their black appearance, and a chill raced through his heart.
Lifeless.
It was as if the mine had sucked all of her psyche into its depths and left a soulless shell.
Desperate to save her, he angled his head and kissed her.
Her unresponsiveness didn’t deter him. Hehadto reach her. Pulling her closer, he breached her lips, teasing her tongue, coaxing her to feel. She stood in his embrace, limp, with no reaction at all. Moving his hand into her hair, he ran his fingertips against her scalp, slanting her head to better taste her.
His heart pounded in his chest as if he were in the middle of a burning forest, using every ounce of energy to battle the flames. But he had no flames to battle here. He had to stoke the flames. Instinctually, he moved his other hand to cup her ass and squeezed.
Her mouth opened wider, and he wrestled her tongue with his own before squeezing her again.
A cry low in her throat sounded like part despair and part passion just before she thrust her tongue into his mouth.
Relief, triumph, and excitement filled him as her arms wrapped around his neck and she pressed closer to him, as if she could climb inside him. There was no shyness in her actions as she ground her hips against his growing erection, and her tongue explored his mouth. Her passion was like her, straightforward and strong.
He ran his hand down her back to the edge of her tank top. His finger buried under it and moved up her side, under the stretch bra, until he touched the softness of her breast.
Her moan filled his mouth as she turned her body to give him better access.
The invitation too enticing to ignore, he moved his fingers over the round plumpness until he brushed across her hard nipple. Raw desire tightened his balls, reminding him how long it had been since he was with a woman. But Riley was no ordinary woman, and a glimmer of hope started deep in his chest.
Suddenly, her hand cupped his cock.
He grabbed her wrist and tried to pull away, but she wouldn’t let his mouth go. Finally, he had both her hands in his and stepped back.
“What’s wrong?” Her brows lowered in confusion. “I want you.”
His cock jumped at her words. His own insecurity and his conscience combined to give him some control. “I don’t want to take advantage of our—”
“Don’t go all cowboy on me. I need that smoking hot firefighter right now.” Her gaze slipped from his and the haunted look came back. “I don’t believe in tomorrow anymore.” She closed the distance, her gaze focused on his and yet not. Her voice lowered to a whisper. “I need to feel alive.”
He couldn’t refuse if he wanted to, and he didn’t want to. He wanted to give her everything she needed and more. He closed the distance between them and cupped her face in his hands. “You are alive. You’re a beautiful strong woman with a fire of survival inside.”
Her gaze switched from one of his eyes to the other. “Make me feel it, Garrett.”
She didn’t say please, but her eyes begged him.
He lowered his head to gently brush her lips with his own, let her know he cared, then he gave her what she wanted.
Riley’s heart skipped a beat at the same time excitement rushed to her core as Garrett backed her against the wall and devoured her mouth, his scruffy chin a reminder that he was all male and then some. She closed her eyes and let the feelings flow through her.Yes! I want this! No, not this ?him.
His hands pushed up her tank even as his legs leaned into her, keeping her pinned. As he stroked both her breasts, his tongue swept through her mouth like a forward scout team, leaving no spot unexplored.
When his thumbs and forefingers lightly squeezed her nipples, she arched, wanting more. He didn’t disappoint, alternately squeezing and pinching both, causing her sheath to moisten with desire.
His hand left her right breast, and she moaned in disappointment, opening her eyes to see him looking down. At his touch on her stomach, she sucked in a breath. He understood it for the invitation it was and made short work of unbuttoning and unzipping her jeans.
His hand slipped beneath the elastic of her panties but stopped when he found her watching him. He gazed into her eyes for what seemed like forever before his hand continued downward and his finger found her clit.
The spike of excitement shot right to her core, and she wanted to close her eyes and enjoy, but his gaze held hers as if daring her to look away. She’d never backed down from a dare. She grasped his muscular shoulders and didn’t blink.
