Page 128 of Down and Dirty

Something strange was going on here. Meanwhile, his emotions were banging off the walls. “I was kinda hoping you would toss it on the floor, and we could make love the first time on the fur.”

“The first time?” She whimpered and stood, backing away.

He took one step forward. She took one step backward. A losing battle for her, if she was thinking straight, which she must not be. Praise God and bring on the ammunition!

Speaking of ammunition, time to bring in the big artillery. “Britta. Honey. Sammy gave me your message.”

Her blush told him that she knew exactly what he meant. She didn’t try to deny it; he had to give her that.

“It is not chivalrous of you to bring that up to a lady.”

“Lady, I’m fresh out of chivalry.” His frustration was turning into anger. “Do you or do you not love me?” He had her backed up against the wall now. She had no place to hide or escape.

“There is so much more involved than… than… ”

“Love?” He licked her neck, and for a brief second she sighed before putting her hands to his chest and holding him at arm’s length.

Britta stared at the too-handsome rogue and felt as if she were drowning in quicksand. Warm, tempting, sensual quicksand. She wanted him so much it hurt, but what she decided now would have implications for not just her lifetime but the lifetime of the child she carried. She needed time to think. Hah! She could not think when under the influence of searing arousal. “Zachary, there is so much you do not know. So many things to consider.”

He took both of her hands, which were pressing against his bare chest, and raised them, kissing first one wrist, then the other. She barely suppressed a moan. How could a mere butterfly of a kiss, and not even on her lips, inflame her so? “We need to talk.”

“No, we need to make love. And make love again. And then maybe talk.”

“Your persistence is to be commended.”

“It’s one of my better talents.”

“That was sarcasm, lout.”

“C’mon, Britta, come with me into the bedroom. I want to lay you down and show you how much I’ve missed you.”

“You fight dirty. Another of your talents?”

“For sure.” He took her hand and tried to tug her along with him.

She dug in her heels, fighting an inner battle. She, too, wanted to make love. She, too, had missed him desperately. But she could not let him know about the babe… not till other issues were resolved. Like his stated opinion that he wanted no more children. Like his womanizing habits… leastways, in the past. Like what kind of future they might have.

An idea came to her, a way to have what they both wanted and not reveal her secret… yet.

“There is only one condition under which I will engage in bedsport with you.”

He halted in his tugging exercise and raised his eyebrows at her.

“You need to allow me to do some things to you.”

He let out a hoot of laughter before he could catch himself. “Baby, you can do anything you want to me.”

“Be serious.”

“I am.”

“Turn around and do not look at me when I tell you my… uh, conditions.”

“You’ve got to be kidding. Man, your face is red as a beet. This must be really good.” He turned his back on her, but he still held her one hand in his.

“You must allow me to tie your hands to the bed so you cannot touch me.”

She heard the hiss of his indrawn breath and the reflexive squeeze of their joined hands.