Nyree smiled and stood, letting the robe fall to the floor in a puddle of silk.
“You are the beautiful one,” he whispered.“Come here.”
She walked into his arms and offered her lips.He claimed them, kissing her with more hunger than earlier.His arms curled around her, firm and determined.
“Nyree,” he whispered.“I have counted the days until I could hold you again.”
A sense of rightness engulfed her, and she softened, letting him lift her and place her on the bed.He came down over her, caging her within his arms, yet making her feel protected and loved.
She ran her fingertips over his cheek, skimming the old scars of his tattoos.“Tawera,” she whispered.“I didn’t think I’d ever want a man after the way Ari treated me.Then you came along, and I haven’t caught my breath since.”
His dark brows arched.“Is that a good thing?”
A laugh burst from her.“It’s perfect.That’s what I’m trying to say in a roundabout way.You sneaked into my heart when I wasn’t looking.I love you and can’t imagine being with any other man.It’s the way you view the world, your courage in attacking the unknown, your honesty and goodness.I love you more than I can describe.”
“I hoped this was so, but now can we continue to ease the pain in my muscles?”
Nyree gasped.“You’re in pain?Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I don’t want your sympathy.I loathe the idea of you having sex because you feel sorry for me.If that were the case, I’d prefer you to sleep in the spare room.”
“Stop.”Nyree placed her hand over his mouth.“Hush.This is not a pity fuck, Tawera.Never a pity fuck.I meant it.I love you and want to be with you because you’re special.All right?”
He stared at her for a fraction longer and flashed a quick smile.“We both have doubts.It will take time for us to become comfortable again.”
“No, it won’t,” Nyree said.“The moment I walked into your home… No, it was the moment I saw you at the airport that I finally felt whole again.I won’t change my mind.We have a future together, and that is final.”
“Yes,” Tawera said, and he settled in to kiss her again.
This time his kiss flared full of passion, igniting a fire inside her.
Their hands wandered and explored, learning each other all over again.
She stroked his shoulders and traced fingers over his cursed tattoo that curled from his back around to the side of his rib cage.He shivered, and she lowered her head to follow the path of her fingers with her tongue.
“Nyree,” Tawera whispered, his eyes closed, and his body tensed.
“Are you ticklish?”
“No.”
She backed up, moving down his body, suddenly realizing what his problem was when his cock poked her in the leg.
“Ah.I can fix this problem for you.We have all night.”
Tawera gasped as she wrapped her hands around his shaft.“M-Manu suggested I should let you sleep after your long journey.”
“My cousin had a lot to say for himself,” she said dryly.
“He is my friend.I trust him.”
Her pique faded as fast as it had arrived.“Manu is a fine man and an excellent leader.You could not have a better friend.”
“Yes.”He jumped as she replaced her fingers with her lips.“Nyree,” he whispered.
She took him deeper into her mouth, using her hands at the base of his shaft to control the depth of his penetration.When she pulled back, she smiled.“Just enjoy.”
“But you—”
