“The LCR rumors are a crock of shit. Being known as the playboy of the organization keeps well-meaning matchmakers at bay.”
“You mean like Noah?”
“Ha. McCall swears that’s an urban legend.”
She pulled away to look up at him. “Why do you always act like you don’t want to be around me?”
“Camouflage, pure and simple. You, more than any woman I’ve met in years, make me realize what I’m missing. What I can’t have.”
“You’ve been hurt.”
“That’s part of it. I can’t risk it again. I won’t risk it. This probably sounds egotistical.” He shook his head. “No, it will sound egotistical, but I can’t think of any other way to put it. I can’t take the risk of you falling in love with me, because there’s no future for us. We cannot be together. Ever.”
“What if I told you I’m willing to risk it?”
“Risk what?”
She pulled away from him, and Aidan reluctantly let her go. Leaning her back against the headboard, she bravely faced him. Another one of her traits that awed him.
“I haven’t been involved with anyone since before I was abducted. I tried and…” She grimaced and tried again. “Every guy I meet isn’t—”
Anna broke off abruptly. What she had been about to say was that every guy she met wasn’t Aidan. Confessing that secret was a surefire way to push him away for good. He didn’t want a relationship, and while she wasn’t going to lie, neither would she admit that no man had ever made her feel the things he did.
“Every guy you meet isn’t what?”
“My type. I know you’re not looking for anything permanent. But you’re the only man in years that I’ve been attracted to.”
The concern in his eyes didn’t diminish. She had done a lousy job of trying to convince him, but she could think of nothing else to say. She couldn’t lie and tell him she didn’t want a relationship or a commitment from him. Even if he didn’t feel the same way, her feelings for him were authentic and permanent. But they were absolutely not what he would want to hear.
“And when this is over? When you go back to your life, and I go back to mine? What then?”
“We have memories, Aidan. Beautiful memories.”
“And that will be enough?”
“It’ll have to be.”
“You deserve more, Anna. With a man who will love you the way you should be loved.”
She took his hand then. It was now or never. “I want you, Aidan. I know you want me. Don’t say no again.”
His eyes locked with hers for the longest time. She saw desire, heat, need, and something else. Something more.
Leaning forward, his gaze still on hers, his mouth tenderly touched hers. Anna moaned at the first delicious contact. As if the sound of her approval spurred his momentum, Aidan kept his lips on hers as he started to pull her down onto the bed, but then he stopped.
“Wait.”
Her pounding heart jumped to her throat.
His hands went to the bottom edge of her nightshirt, and with a wicked, little smile, he began to push up the fabric. Slowly, as if uncovering a cherished gift, he kissed each body part as it was revealed. First her knees, each thigh, then her stomach. By the time he uncovered her breasts, Anna was panting, her arousal so keen that every spot Aidan kissed felt as if she’d been stamped with fire. He paused at her breasts and just looked at her. Anna could feel her nipples peaking and goose bumps rising all over her body.
He groaned a heartfelt, “Beautiful,” and instead of the scorching, soft kisses like before, Aidan licked a nipple until it was tightly drawn. Pulling away slightly, he smiled at the result.
Anna wanted more. She wanted his mouth covering her, suckling, taking, devouring. Instead, he moved on to her other breast, which received the same treatment. By the time he pulled away, her head had collapsed against the headboard, and she was moaning his name.
“Sit up, baby. Raise your arms.”
Eager for more of whatever he had planned, Anna sat up and raised her arms. With a surprising speed, considering how slow he’d been before, Aidan jerked the nightshirt over her head and threw it on the floor. He then moved back and just looked at her. “Like I said. Perfect in every way.”
Realistically, Anna knew she was far from perfect, but hearing those words from Aidan did something to her. Gave her a confidence and assertiveness she’d rarely felt during intimate moments.
Her own smile was quite wicked as she reached for him. When her hands touched his naked chest, she released a moaning sigh. He was hard and smooth, taut muscles covered in rough satin. Everywhere she touched was a tactile delight. Broad shoulders tapered down to muscular biceps and corded forearms. His hands were twice as large as hers, callused and roughened by dangerous and difficult missions. She moved her hands back up his arms. If Aidan’s face was a work of art, his chest was a beautiful sculpture, with two copper-colored nipples in a vast landscape of muscle and sinew. He had just the right amount of furring, which extended down to his hard-as-rock abs.
“Anna.”
Her name was a tortured sound. She had been so immersed in the wonder of his body that she’d missed how very turned on he was. His eyes were golden-brown pools of heat, their depths gleaming with more need and desire than she’d ever thought possible.
“Touch me, baby.”
Her gaze dropped down again, below his stomach. Though he still wore his shorts, she imagined they were extremely uncomfortable. His erection strained the fabric to breaking point.
Wonder and need dissolved any shyness she might have ordinarily felt. She reached for him, unbuttoning the waistband and unzipping the shorts. The hiss he released told her he was on edge just as much as she was. When she held him in both her hands and caressed his hard length, he said something in a harsh, guttural language she didn’t even recognize. She leaned forward, eager to have her first taste.
Hands landed on her shoulders stopping her. “Oh no you don’t. You’ve teased me long enough.”
Before she could complain or resist, Aidan twisted around and pushed off the bed. He dropped his shorts on the floor, and with one smooth move of his hand, he jerked the comforter and sheets from the bed.
Grabbing Anna’s ankles, Aidan slid her body down until she was in the middle of the mattress. Her eyes were wide with surprise and maybe a little trepidation. She had touched and teased him until he was as close to explosion as he’d ever been. And now he was going to return the favor. He had dreamed about holding Anna Bradford’s soft, silken body, fantasized about having her long legs wrapped around him while he gave her pleasure untold. For every dream, every fantasy…for every time he’d had to turn away from her and grind his teeth to keep from touching her, he was going to make up for it all tenfold.
So aroused he could barely breathe, Aidan shut down every warning signal in his brain. He ignored the insistent little voice that told him that this was a bad idea. He had wanted this woman for so long, and despite how bad of an idea this was, he was going to take what he wanted.
His hands shook as they glided over her body. She was slender but curvy, firm and soft. From the top of her beautiful head to the bottoms of her long, slender feet, she was all woman. And for as long as they were here, together on this island, she was his woman.
He started at her feet, his lips paying homage as he moved up her body, stopping at shadows, crevices, and curves for a kiss, nibble, or lick. She had a multitude of bruises and tiny nicks from their experience in Colombia. Aidan pressed a soft kiss to each injury.
Since he knew he wouldn’t want to leave for a long time once he got there, he bypassed the mound of soft, springy curls at the juncture of her thighs. He would return there soon and feast, but for right now, he wanted to continue his exploration. His tongue glided over her belly, and she arched, releasing a hissing sigh.
He spoke against her stomach. “You sensitive here, baby?”
“Yes. No.” She spoke haltingly, as if confused. “Everywhe
re you touch…it feels like an electrical current is zipping through me.”
“Good. By the time I’m finished, you’ll be properly turned on.”
Her husky laugh held a note of desperation. “By the time you’re finished, I’ll be unconscious with pleasure.”
He smiled. “That’s a worthy goal.”
His mouth moving upward, Aidan continued his exploration. When he came to her breasts, he knew he wouldn’t be able to just settle for a small kiss. Anna’s breasts were perfectly rounded, lightly pink in color with plum-colored nipples that just begged to be nibbled on and enjoyed. He cupped both of the silken mounds and pressed them together.
“Aidan? What are you—” She broke off on a cry as Aidan covered both of her nipples with his mouth and suckled deep.
Throbbing increased in her core to a zenith. She had never orgasmed this way. Had never thought her breasts were particularly sensitive. Now she knew that it wasn’t lack of sensitivity, but she had been with the wrong man. This amazing man with his strength, kindness, honor, and integrity was the right one. Now and forever.
“Aidan. Aidan.” It was a litany, a plea for mercy, and a plea for him to continue.
Apparently realizing what was happening, that she was close to her peak, Aidan moved a hand to her sex and, using one finger only, pressed hard on the knot of nerves and then slid his finger inside her. Anna’s entire body arched upward as she screamed out in her release.
Giving her no time to catch her breath or recover, Aidan moved down to where she was throbbing so deliciously. Settling between her sprawled thighs and cupping his hands beneath her knees, he lifted her legs, spread them wide, and lowered his head. The first swipe of his tongue set her on fire again, and when he suckled hard, Anna zoomed straight toward another climax. This time, he allowed her recovery as, with slow, steady thrusts of his tongue, he brought her down to earth gently, tenderly.
Her breaths shuddering through her, she barely noted that he opened a drawer beside the bed. She heard a crinkle and knew he was putting on a condom.
“Anna, look at me.”
Opening her eyes, she gazed up at the gorgeous, golden-haired man who had come to mean so much to her. This was a dream come true for her, and if this was the only time she’d ever have with him, she wanted it to be one they would remember for the rest of their lives.
“Tell me you want this.”
Holding her arms open wide, she said softly, “More than I’ve ever wanted anything.”
Lowering his body over hers, Aidan carefully gauged Anna’s expression. She was an open book, every expression revealing her thoughts and feelings. He pressed against her opening and briefly closed his eyes at the exquisite heat as he glided into her body. At the slight widening of her eyes, Aidan stopped and allowed her to adjust to his size. She’d told him she hadn’t been with anyone in years, which meant he needed to go easy this first time. When he felt her muscles loosen, her body accepting him, he slid deeper. Gritting his teeth, his body screaming for him to bury himself as deep as he could go, Aidan forced self-control.
When at last he was as far as he could go, he paused. “You okay?”
Her smile both sexy and adorable, she whispered, “Never better.”
Groaning at the sheer sweetness of this woman, Aidan kissed her softly, slowly, savoring, cherishing. And then he could no longer stop himself. Retreating, plunging, surging, and thrusting, his body and tongue in perfect rhythm, he rode them both to volcanic, explosive climaxes.
Chapter Twenty-three
The next time Anna woke, the setting sun was casting a long, gray shadow over the room. She raised her head, taking in her surroundings. The bedclothes were back on the bed, covering her. She was alone. If not for the delicious ache between her legs and the flush of red on her chest from Aidan’s beard stubble, she might have believed it had all been a dream. Just like all the others she’d had about him. Only it hadn’t been a dream. She and Aidan had made love. Calling it anything other than that would be an insult to the experience. She had felt cherished, desired, and—
With a sigh, her head plopped back onto the pillows. No, she could go no further with her thoughts. Before he’d touched her, he had made her understand that no future together existed for them. She had agreed. Assigning a more romantic name to what had happened between them would be a betrayal of that promise. It didn’t keep her from wishing things could be different, but what he had given her was more than she believed she’d ever have.
“Hey, sleepyhead.” The gruff, sexy voice sent a rush of heat into her bloodstream.
Sitting up, she backed against the headboard, and unaccountably shy, she grabbed the sheet and covered herself.
Aidan stood at the doorway. He must have showered again, because his hair was damp, turning it a dark gold. He wore faded jeans, a T-shirt almost the exact shade of his eyes, and a satisfied smile. Anna couldn’t help but smile back.
“Hungry?”
“Starving.”
“Good. I made a feast. It’ll be ready in about twenty minutes. Why don’t you shower and ease some of your soreness?”
Heat infused her body again, but this time she could attribute the feeling to one hundred percent embarrassment. Her muscles were definitely sore from their ordeal in Colombia, but the most recent tenderness was all Aidan’s doing.
As if he knew exactly what she was thinking, he winked and said, “Don’t want you too sore for what I have planned next.”
“Next?” Was that squeaky, breathless voice really hers?
“Exploring the island, of course. What else did you think I meant?”
Anna grabbed a pillow beside her and threw it in his direction. Her aim and arm strength were pitifully inadequate.
He sauntered over to her, snagging the pillow that had landed in the middle of the floor on the way to his destination. Stopping beside the bed, he leaned over and whispered in the softest, sexiest voice she could imagine, “You’re outrageously sexy when you’re embarrassed.” Then he kissed her.
Her fingers tangling in his hair, Anna sank back against the pillows and savored the bone-melting, heart-stopping, achingly sweet kiss. His lips were soft and tender, his tongue gliding gently into her mouth in a leisurely, easy thrust. Sensual without being sexual, the kiss was both unique and powerful. Anna’s heart, which she told herself hadn’t yet tumbled over into love, made that final plunge. Aidan Thorne held it in his hands, whether he wanted it or not.
When he finally lifted his head, they were both smiling. His was one of a conqueror who’d just captured his prize. She figured hers looked exactly how she felt, goofy and smitten.
“See you in the kitchen.” With that, he straightened and walked out the door.
Anna lay there basking for another couple of minutes until her stomach made a noise that sounded like an angry hyena. She bounded out of bed and headed to the bathroom. On the way to the shower, she caught a glimpse of her face. Yep, her smile was most definitely goofy and smitten.
Aidan lost his smile the minute he walked out of the bedroom. He had thought that castigating himself for his poor choices was a thing of the past, but apparently not. He had taken what he wanted and damned the consequences. And oh holy hell, were there going to be consequences.
Shoving the garlic bread into the oven, he slammed the door shut. He needed to get his anger under control before Anna came in and caught him. She was more sensitive to his mood swings than anyone he’d ever met. Having her know he regretted what had happened between them was the last thing he wanted. Because in his gut, where it really counted, he rebelled against that regret with every fiber of his being. It was, hands down, one of the best experiences of his life. That didn’t mean that it should have happened. Where the hell had his discipline and self-control gone?
He stirred the tomato sauce, checked the boiling pasta for doneness, and uncorked the wine. Turning around, he took in the table and cursed himself again. Because instead of pulling back and trying to return to something
approaching a platonic friendship, he had set the table for seduction. Candles, muted lighting, glistening crystal, fine china, and soft, romantic music. He didn’t want platonic. He didn’t want an easygoing friendship. For two long years, he had denied himself the delight of Anna Bradford. And now that he had experienced that pleasure, damned if he could go back to the way it was before.
“Smells amazing.”
He turned, and his anger was demolished like a sandcastle beneath a rushing wave. She had evidently gone upstairs and found the clothing stash his sister had left. Jennifer and Anna were about the same size, though his sister was a little taller and thinner.
She waved at her clothing. “Hope you don’t mind, but I snooped around and found this in one of the closets.”
“I’m glad you did. It suits you.”
The white sundress molded lovingly to her body, revealing a generous amount of skin without being immodest. Landing a couple of inches above her knees, the dress also showed off her golden, toned legs. He smiled when he noticed her bare feet.
“Couldn’t find any shoes to fit?”
“No. They were a little large.”
“My sister has Thorne feet. I remember my mother saying once that her children’s feet size was the one feature she wished we hadn’t gotten from my dad. My dad laughingly reminded her that her six-foot-three son would look quite strange with a shoe size of five.”
“Wow, your mom must be tiny.”
“Tiny but mighty. Barely five feet tall and rules the family like a miniature general.”
“I’d love to meet them.”
Aidan turned away before she could see his face. There would be no parental meetings. No family get-togethers, holidays, or otherwise. No let me introduce you to the girl I’m crazy about introductions.
A hand touched his arm and squeezed gently. He looked down at a lovely face filled with compassion and understanding. “I didn’t mean anything by that. I promise. I remember our agreement, and I’m not expecting anything more. Okay?”
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