Love Burns

by Babette James

  He arched under her touch. “Oh, yeah. Yes.”

  She closed her hand around the silky heat of him, the pulse of him against her palm, testing the slide of soft skin over heavy erection.

  “Harder.” He rode into her hand. “You can hold me harder.”

  “Bossy.” She smiled against his lips.

  His laughter rumbled. “Oh, yeah, sweetheart, absolutely, but it’s all for the good.” He kissed her.

  Caught between the pleasure of his mouth on hers and her delight in pleasing him, she experimented, varying grips and touch, listening to his feedback as he encouraged her play and exploration, which was consistently “Yes, harder,” and “Ah, yeah, there, more.” Her confidence rose, and she loved his enthusiasm. He was amazingly vocal in his enjoyment as he gasped, groaned and bucked into her hand. Even when she was clumsy, he guided her on through with praise.

  A laughing gasp cracked from him, and he caught her hand away as he sat up. “Got to take a break, or there’ll be a fast change in plans here.”

  When he’d caught his breath, he kissed her palm and winked. “Okay, I want to try something here. Lie back and get comfy.”

  Wondering, she stretched out, nerves jittering. She was exposed to him, to the sky—

  Dave shifted, half-turned toward her feet, and showered kisses and licks over her belly, his left hand teasing her breasts, and he spoke all sorts of sweet sexy nonsense until her anxiety dissolved into shivering laughter.

  “Yeah, there you go, no worries here. Just us, just here, just feel. Trust me, babe.” Leaning over her, he raised her right leg and kissed her foot, the silliness of the kiss delightful, strange, and delicious. Her giggles only encouraged him to more playful, teasing kisses, and before she could wonder further, he’d caught her leg back with his elbow, opening her wide and brought his mouth down on her in a shocking and incredible kiss.

  She jolted. “Dave!”

  “Shh.” He kissed her there again, the naughtiest kiss she’d ever experienced, exquisite jolts firing through her. The weight of his torso across her belly and hips and his right arm keeping her leg pulled back left her effectively snared and completely exposed.

  He caressed his left hand over her leg, restraining her. His next kiss found her center and scorched her with incredible sensation. With rough kisses, sweet licks, and deeper and deeper tongue strokes and absolute control, he reduced her to a shivering pleading tangle of breathless need. She shook under the wild, confusing energy. She writhed in his grip, her hands knotted into the blanket, unable to bear any more of his wicked lovely mouth…That pleading husky cry begging for more was her voice?

  He drove her on, but this was far from the familiar, mild pleasure she could bring herself or the sweet, bright heat he’d given her before.

  “Yeah, Livie, sweetheart. No more fighting it, let it go.”

  At the next stroke of his tongue, shattering, terrifying pleasure tore through her, blinding and convulsing her, a high keen tearing from her tight throat.

  When sense returned, she found herself tucked tightly against Dave’s chest, weeping and shaking as he stroked her head.

  Mortified, she wrenched at his grip.

  Chapter Eight

  Dave held Livie close. “Hey, shh, honey. No problems here. Catch your breath and chill here. I gotcha.”

  He petted and stroked her against the blind panic jolting her, murmuring more nonsense and fighting for composure as she sobbed her heart out, drenching his chest with her tears. He should have paid better attention to her soft confession earlier, I don’t…come easily, ever…, and to her hesitation when she’d been fumbling through that sweet hand job. He’d regretted stopping her just as she’d found her groove, but he’d wanted to refocus on her pleasure, gotten too full of himself, and ignored that her anxieties might have a cause in her past.

  A memory from Livie’s all-too public end to her marriage slammed against his brain: R.J.’s petulant bellow, “Why I ever married a frigid bitch like you.” The renewed urge to beat the crap out of the asshole snarled. Livie sure as hell wasn’t a bitch or frigid. What the hell had that shit done to her?

  When her breath settled and tears slowed, he relaxed his embrace, but kept her close.

  A hiccupping sob broke from Livie. “I’m sorry, so sorry.”

  “Why are you sorry? You were beautiful.”

  “Cried all over you.”

  His heart cracking with remorse and anger, he tipped her stricken face to his. “Listen to me. You have nothing to be sorry about. You came like a skyrocket, and it was beautiful. You’re beautiful.” He stroked his thumbs across her cheeks, wiping two fresh tears away. “Here’s the plan. You rest here while I get us some water and a couple cookies. Then I’m going to hold you, and you’re going to stop thinking you did anything wrong. Okay?”

  She nodded.

  He pinned on a smile over the cold anger with himself and R.J. “Good. It’s all good.” He eased his arms and leg loose from her, and she curled away onto her side. He stroked her hair. “Shut your eyes. Easy breaths. I’m here and everything’s good.”

  Waiting as always for his leg to get with the program, he hiked himself to his feet. Livie’s shaken huddle to herself tore at his heart. He should have taken things slower. He should have paid more attention.

  Focus.

  He tucked a paper towel in her hand, her teary face again jerking at his heart. He dug two water bottles and the cookies from the cooler and set them beside her. After dunking and wringing out his T-shirt, he returned to her side and gathered her into his arms.

  She pressed a shielding arm to her breasts, burying her face against his shoulder.

  He raised a smile for her. “Hey, sweetheart, let me see your face. Let’s wipe those pretty eyes.”

  After a hiccupping breath, she nodded. As he soothed the cool, wet T-shirt over her face and throat, she sighed with a shuddering release of tension. Setting aside the T-shirt, he touched a kiss to her forehead, wishing he had the words to fix this. He opened a water bottle and tucked it into her hand. “Drink up.”

  As she sipped, he opened his bottle and took a long deep swallow, wishing for a beer.

  He broke apart a cookie and held a small piece to her lips. “Take a bite.” He kept on feeding her bits and encouraging her to drink the water, until they’d demolished the bagful and she was calm.

  Livie finished her water and shyly met his eyes. “Thanks. I’m sorry.”

  “No more apologies. I’m cool here.” He risked the move and rolled back, carrying her over him as he stretched out. She laughed and relaxed. Good.

  “I’m too heavy.”

  “Right.” He snorted. “I’ve carried packs heavier than you. Just shift a little to the right there, though.”

  With ease filling her sigh, Livie settled obligingly, perfectly against his cock.

  He trailed his fingers along her spine. Now what? What did you do for a woman freaked out by her sexual response? Give up and return to the safety of the busy camp? Go swimming? Take a nap? Coax her back into lovemaking? Well, fall off a horse, get back on.

  And you’ve taken this advice so well, right? Fall from the sky—

  Shut the hell up, this isn’t about me.

  He caressed her back, gently, keeping his touch soothing.

  Her fingers drifted into rhythmic tracing of his shoulder and more tension eased from her body, as a pleasant tension eased into his. His cock took wearing her like a blanket patiently, a surprise, considering how much he wanted her.

  She wriggled softly into a different position—

  Much better. Oh, yeah.

  “You’re never what I expect,” she murmured against his shoulder.

  “How’s that?” He dragged his mind off his hard-on and onto her words. He let his hands drift over her lovely ass, caressing as casually and undemanding as possible. How she’d massaged his leg, soothing the teeth out of his pain—Somehow, he’d soothe her hurts.

  “Every time I think I’
ve figured you out, you do something unexpected.” She pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “I’m just going with it.” She lifted on hands planted on either side of him to meet his eyes, her bare breasts riding against his chest.

  “Okay.” He considered himself basically what you see is what you get, but if going with it meant going with what her lovely naked body was doing over his, he was good with her plan. And he was optimistic the plan involved staying naked and touching, because she was flushing and nibbling at her lip.

  Livie slid off and stretched out along his right side, propped on her elbow.

  Damn, how she’d glance him over and shyly blush was cute. She had grit, but she was still anxious. Pushing herself was no good. He wanted her to enjoy every minute as much as he did, and not because he’d driven her to come.

  He folded his arms behind his head, fighting for casual relaxation. “The breeze died. It’s getting kinda hot.”

  Livie smiled and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “The shade’s helping.”

  “You ever skinny-dip?”

  She laughed, but her eyes flew wide. “Never!”

  “Want to give it a try?” He waited, counting on her curiosity and courage. He enjoyed watching thoughts flickering across her face as her blush deepened.

  She nibbled on her lip for a moment. “Okay.”

  Dave sat up and tugged the nearby towel to within her reach.

  “Now?”

  “As good a time as any.” He kissed her lightly and pushed to his feet. He stretched lazily and settled on a brisk limp across the hot sand into the water. Anger flashed at his ruined gait and his fucked-up leg.

  Oh, get over it. You can feel her, and hold her, and no prosthesis can replace that, no matter how mechanically perfect for skiing or running.

  He waded in waist deep, dunked under, and splashed up to face her, scrubbing the water from his face. Livie sat where he’d left her, the clutched towel ineffectually covering her breasts.

  “Come on in, the water’s great.”

  Livie cautiously rose, clutching the towel. One uncertain step forward, and then she dashed over the hot sand, tossed the towel aside at the water’s edge with nervous laughter, and dove into his arms.

  Dave sank down, carrying her into the water. Sexy, warm, laughing woman against his wet skin—Perfect.

  ****

  Cool water hit Olivia’s hot skin, and she yelped with laughter. She was skinny-dipping! Had walked—dashed nude into the water. Made-out, outdoors. Her head spun from the firsts today as she floated in Dave’s comfortable embrace.

  He winked, his hungry eyes and gentle smile sending her pattering heart into a sprint.

  No way to hide but shut her eyes. With an anxious swallow, she deliberately pulled herself closer. Chest to chest. Belly to belly. His hardening shaft caught against her cleft. Her blush rose to steaming, but she couldn’t resist the welcoming arch of her body, her hands tightening on his shoulders, and she sought his mouth. Their bodies brushed in the easy lapping current, the cool, bare skin-to-skin contact tantalizing.

  “Ah, Livie,” he murmured against her lips, mouth opening into an urgent kiss, his arousal sliding deliciously, riskily against her center.

  Dave was something else. Sweet, sexy, and just that little bit dangerously rough-edged. She’d bawled all over him, yet instead of disgust, he’d given patience and comfort. He teased her, he encouraged her, entranced her, and made her ravenous to discover what else she could learn. With Dave, she might be able to dare anything.

  She needed to speak, assure him she knew what she wanted. She opened her eyes and met his gaze. She’d done the right thing for so long, and everything went so wrong. Tangled emotions knotted and throbbed. This should be wrong, but…She’d made mistakes in her life, but whatever came of this, being here with Dave was right and true.

  “I want to be here with you. I want you. Show me.”

  “Yes.”

  Mouths locked and tongues sought. Oh, he’d been holding back earlier. He dragged her close, wrapped her legs lightly around his hips, his hands clasping her rear, her breasts crushed to his chest, and his slow, talented hands and mouth and the slide and press of her cleft to his erection sweetly driving her crazy.

  With a husky murmur, he pushed to stand.

  Abruptly, they splashed underwater and surfaced spluttering.

  “Shit!” Anger and pain twisted his face.

  Olivia reached out her hand. “What?” Was he hurt?

  Dave roughly shoved to his feet, fuming and dripping, fists to his hips in his uneven stance. “Sorry. Forgot I can’t carry you.”

  Livie took the step to bring them face to face. “You okay?” She cupped his cheek, stroking the dripping water away.

  Angry heat flared and faded in his golden eyes. He gave a closed-mouth inhale and sharp, dejected shrug. But pain or pique?

  “Fine. Just dowsed the old pride again.” Bitterness twisted his smile. “Just got to deal.”

  Those chaotic emotions surged one step nearer to something she wasn’t ready to acknowledge.

  This time he let her twine their fingers together. She kissed him and, with a gentle tug, led him from the water. Hot sand sent them scrambling and laughing to reach the towel and sparse shade. Dave hugged her close, cheek to cheek, and they simply held one another in the quiet afternoon heat as the air licked the water from her skin and drips from her hair rolled along her back and legs in tickling slides.

  Being with Dave was easy from there. His kisses and hers. The touches and caresses, the swaying press of body to body. Stroking the strong details of his back, every muscle defined. If she’d had his body to touch years ago in school, physiology classes would have been a joy. Kissing Dave brought mouth to mouth and life’s breath a whole new meaning.

  They sank together onto the blanket inside the sun shelter, his mouth on her breasts, his talented hands driving her senseless, and all she could do was hold on and say, “Yes, oh, yes.”

  Still, he took his time. Touch and trace, caress, slide, a sensual overload. Her hands and mouth on him, drinking him in. The taste of salt and cling of sweat. His hands playing her, bringing her body to song, her body drenched and swollen and so ready, trembling to be filled by more than his fingers.

  “I want you.” Breathing hard, he waited, his eyes hot amber.

  Olivia nodded, keeping the embrace of their eyes. “I need you.” She’d never said truer words. Time to let go of old fears and expectations.

  Dave stretched over to his bag and retrieved the condom. He met her eyes as he covered himself, as if seeking her certainty, giving her one last moment for no. The only no she had was for the old bad memories that had no place in her new future. She loved this new feeling scorching her worries into ash, all wild and rushed and ravenous. She raised her hand to his head, stroked her fingers through his hair, and drew him close for a kiss.

  He settled between her legs, braced on his elbows, his weight heavy on her and his own tension tangible. He cupped her face, stroking his thumbs over her cheeks. The blunt head of his erection pressed urgently at her center. His bright eyes searched her, tender and determined, asking once more. “Livie, sweetheart…”

  “Yes.” Trembling for him in a battle between nervousness and urgency, she tugged him to her, opening to the press of his body.

  Seizing her mouth in a possessive kiss, he surged into her body.

  Her breath seized on a pained cry. Burn and strain erased bliss. Everything had been so lovely, and she’d hoped, believed because of Dave’s kindness, his attention, being with him would be different…but no, her body still hated this part of lovemaking. He was too large. She’d deliberately forgotten the invasiveness.

  However, unlike R.J., Dave immediately paused. “Livie?” His voice was ragged with concern.

  Choking on the stinging tears, she flattened her biting fingers over his tense biceps and met his troubled eyes.

  He touched his lips to hers. “Breathe with me, sweetheart. It’ll
be okay.” Remaining deep within her, he gently shifted his weight. “Trust me.” He kissed her, sweet and soft, drawing her into the gentle rhythm of his breathing. “There you are. So hot, so wet, sweetheart, so perfect. Just breathe.”

  Breath by breath, her body unlocked and accepted his intrusion. Breathing together eased to gentle undulations, the burn faded and the rock and press became slide and fill. A restless need seized her. She shifted her hips, wanting more—and he filled her effortlessly, striking an incredible point of pleasure.

  She gasped. “There, there, oh, there.”

  “Oh, yeah.” He laughed softly. “So good, how’s that for you, sweetheart?”

  “Better, much better.” As if his entry had never brought more than a distant tenderness.

  His thoughtful eyes fixed deep on hers, he rose higher on his hands, flexing his hips slow and easy. “Good, it’s very good, and going to get better.” His tone held more of a vow than simple male arrogance.

  This was working. So much to take in: the utter difference of his body’s merging with hers, the newly-delicious sense of fullness, regrets of the past, hope for the future, every sensual input, Dave’s patient adjustments to his position, increasing his withdrawals and thrusts, depth and speed, calculating what was working for her, for him. Oh, yes, so good. She sighed blissfully, her body rising and meeting his in rhythm. Yes.

  Dave’s smile bloomed like a weighty cloud had lifted.

  Delight sparked in her, and she recognized the rising sweet heat. Afraid to focus on it or she would lose it, she focused on Dave: his burning whisky-brown eyes, the sweat trickling along his temples, his sharp smile, his body’s caging strength, the beautiful flex of powerful shoulders, arms, and chest, and the play of his hips and ribs under her hands.

  The sweet heat flashed, and her body seized in flames around his.

  “There you go, sweetheart. Yes!” With his shout, he drove hard once more before he came, his groan as he pulsed within her sheer pleasure.