Love Burns

by Babette James

  This time the heat rose and streaked through her, powerful and wild, and before she had a chance to marvel, she shattered in hot, lovely bursts.

  He smothered her cry under his kiss and shifted on the rocking cot, raising on his arms as he drove into her again and again. All she could do was feel, feel, feel, loving to watch as he came with a guttural, breathless “Livie!”

  Chest heaving, he sagged against her.

  “Wow,” she gasped. “So glad I bought the sturdier cot.”

  “Wow, hell, yeah.” Panting chuckles shook him and he pressed his cheek to hers. “Good choice.”

  She stroked his sweat damp shoulders and laced her fingers into his hair, combing strands away. Stretching contentedly, she tightened around him, relishing his reflexive jolt within her and his long satisfied groan. He shifted them to their sides, keeping them joined, and tugged her close, their lips brushing drowsy kisses, his eyes deep and thoughtful. As she drifted in sweaty, boneless bliss, he played his fingers over her skin in lulling strokes.

  They’d have to move soon, but this was lovely, yes, very, almost perfect…

  The next she knew, she was waking alone to the rumble of Chuck’s boat arriving at camp, the sleeping bag draped over her and her top and shorts tucked under her hand. She wriggled into her clothes and played possum as her campmates tiptoed about readying for bed. She hugged her arms around her, breathing in the scent of Dave clinging to her skin, missing the weight and heat of him, and uneasy with the odd hollowness left by his absence.

  ****

  Saturday arrived, and the girls had a party planned for the evening to celebrate the last night of vacation and Nate and Kay’s first anniversary. Incredible to think that a year ago they’d all been at that Las Vegas hotel and he’d kissed Olivia for the first time—that so wrong, so right, unforgettable kiss.

  At the last moment, he changed his mind about the party. He didn’t want anyone dancing with Livie on this last night. Seeing her in another guy’s arms—no, just couldn’t bear that picture.

  Dance with her yourself then.

  Hah! Like that could happen. He didn’t dance, never could, and sure as hell couldn’t now.

  He threw his sleeping bag and pad onboard and packed a picnic dinner of easy to nibble finger food into his boat’s cooler: tortilla chips and salsa, sliced leftover steak, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, and for dessert, sliced apples and chocolate chip cookies. He needed this last night for himself. He needed Livie, to lose himself in her body until he couldn’t think anymore about tomorrow. Selfish. Yeah.

  Nate’s accusation rattled around his head, “Your love ’em and leave ’em history isn’t what Livie needs. She needs someone who’s going to be around, someone who wants a family.”

  He hated that Nate was right. He wasn’t going to be around. He didn’t want a family. He wasn’t what Livie needed. Only…

  Hell. Everything had gotten so damned complicated.

  He pulled Livie aside, wrapping his arms around her waist, and nuzzled a kiss below her ear. “I know there’s the party and all, but come cruise with me. We’ll have a picnic supper and count stars.” He held his breath, a mixed-up mess of hopeful and doubtful.

  The way her eyes softened and smile bloomed sparked a fresh burst of hope, lust, and guilt in his chest.

  “Sounds lovely. Let me talk to Kay a moment.”

  She pulled Kay aside and whispered in her ear. Kay hugged her, giving Dave a nod and a smile over Livie’s shoulder.

  Dave headed the boat south, taking Livie on the promised cruise along the shoreline, sweeping into coves and rounding points, finding her vistas for vivid sunset photos, and then cut across the lake and turned north, until he spotted the notched hillside marking the private cove he wanted. Camp lay far across the lake beneath the blazing gold, orange, and purple sky.

  As he anchored, he caught Livie’s puzzled glance around the rugged, beachless cove.

  “Kick back and relax. We’re picnicking onboard. No beach, but we’ll catch a nice breeze here and we can always swim off the platform.” He dug in the cooler and pulled out a water bottle with two lime slices floating inside. “A vodka and tonic for you.” He winked and handed her the bottle.

  “Thanks.”

  “And a beer for me. Here’s to us.” He tapped his can against her bottle and brushed a kiss to her mouth.

  While Livie watched curiously, he unfurled the bed pad, sleeping bag, and largest beach towel onto the cockpit floor, with more rolled towels for pillows, building a comfy nest between the bench seats.

  “All set. Give it a try?”

  Livie smiled and slipped down onto the makeshift bed. “Very cozy.”

  He eased down beside her, and she reclined in his arms. They lazily exchanged playful kisses and fed each other bites of food, relaxing to the tranquil sway and rock of the boat as the sun sank slow and hot over the Eldorado Mountains and twilight deepened.

  After the last bite of apple, Livie caught him close, clasping his nape, lengthening their next kiss, and his comfortable ease flashed over into sharp need.

  She nipped at his bottom lip, and he opened his mouth to her with an encouraging rumble of approval, tightening his hand on her hip.

  All too quickly, she broke the kiss and pushed up to kneel beside him. His hands tightened possessively for a second before he reluctantly released her.

  Livie traced her fingertips over his cheek, her eyes solemn, as if she wrestled some difficult question. The desert evening’s peaceful quiet and the lake’s rhythmic lap against the boat and rocks filled the interval.

  Raising a brow, he smiled to encourage her. If she needed to talk, he’d listen.

  With a nervous sip of breath and a new, determined expression, she straddled his lap, her weight on her knees as she caught her T-shirt hem and pulled the top away in a perfect slow reveal of her lovely breasts cupped in her red bikini. Her nipples raised tight points behind the fabric.

  He clasped her hips, nudging her to settle into his lap.

  She hesitated, always so gentle and cautious.

  “No problem here.” He tugged her forward, her slim body a welcome weight on his thighs.

  He ran his hands up her ribs to caress her breasts, drawing her nearer to press a kiss to each, nipping gently over her bikini top. She arched into him and caught onto his shoulders as he bit and sucked, her body brushing his straining erection.

  “Yes, that’s the way.” Losing himself in pure sensation, he played with her breasts and mouth, sharing deep kisses and silky strokes of tongues, rocking together, skin growing damp and tingling hot, and enjoyed her every expressive writhe and shiver.

  Breathless and aching for her, he pulled back and dropped his hands to rest patiently on her thighs as they caught their breaths, fighting to keep things slow, rather than rolling her under him to drown this need in her as his body demanded.

  Their gazes locked, he slid his hands to the back clasp of her bikini top. At her nod, he freed the hook.

  She licked her lips, caught the string tie of her top behind her neck, and slowly pulled the bow loose. The freed ties clung to her shoulders, barely holding. Drawing a breath, she skimmed a finger down along the tie until she reached the string join of the bikini cups. She smiled, and with a gentle tug, let the top fall away from her perfect breasts.

  His body tightened, pulse sped, and his mouth watered, but he locked his hands firmly at her hips. “Tell me what you want.”

  ****

  What did she want? A firm sway of the boat sent her riding against the hard ridge of his arousal. Under the sweet surge of pleasure, her mind stuttered. Everything.

  “Tell me.” His dark low growl fired a fresh hot blush.

  She’d always let him take the lead. Could she? Her heart rushed at the idea. Actually take charge? “I want…you to kiss me.”

  His slow smile broadened. “Where?”

  Stop worrying.

  She took a breath, cupped her breast, arching back and offered hersel
f up.

  He bent his head, and closed his mouth over her nipple, engulfing her in sweet hot bliss.

  His tongue rasped, pleasure jolted her, and she cried out. He chuckled softly and resumed the lovely torment of sucking and gentle bites. She clutched at his arms, panting and squirming in his lap. Those moans were hers?

  He straightened. “Tell me what else you want.”

  What? Jarred by the loss of his hot mouth and distracted by the warm night air whispering a sensual prickling chill over her wet nipples, she struggled to answer. “I want…”

  That was the problem. She wanted so much her mind spun with indecision.

  “Whatever you want. You can’t do anything wrong.”

  Not true, but his reassurance was sweet.

  I like being touched, he’d said, and she liked touching him. She wanted to explore. “I want you to take off your shirt.”

  “That’s easy.” After dragging off his T-shirt and dropping it aside with her clothes, he lounged back, breaking into an irresistible smile, arms outstretched over the seat cushion behind him, all sculpted muscle and bone, scars smoothed under the shadows of evening.

  Next?

  When in doubt, kiss.

  Olivia laughed and claimed his mouth. Losing herself in the sweet sensual kissing diverted her mind from stressing over her odd role of initiator in their play. She drew her fingers through his dark chest hair, traced over the firm, flat nub of male nipple, and stroked his taut belly. Making free with him was easier when she wasn’t looking into his eyes. She pressed her lips to his shoulder and scattered kisses over his chest, exploring his body with fingertips and lips, liking the texture of hair, the sharp contours of muscle under smooth skin, absorbing the wonderful, rugged feel of him. Her lips brushed his nipple, provoking a sharp inhale and chuckle from him.

  “Oh yeah, that’s very good, sweetheart.”

  Following his earlier example, she flicked her tongue against the tight nub.

  “Yes. Again.”

  Smiling at his demand, she gave another lick. Sucks, nibbles, and tugs, he liked them all. He rocked beneath her, his arousal hard and tempting.

  Restless and needing the familiar comfort of his mouth again, she brought her lips to his. He crushed her close, skin to skin. The hot kiss deepened, rhythmic with the press of their bodies together and the lovely liquid sway of the boat.

  “I need…” she panted. Her lips throbbed, breasts tingled, her belly clenched. She felt wild and frazzled.

  “Tell me.”

  “I need to…see all of you,” she gasped.

  “Tell me.”

  Oh, he was making her crazy pushing her to speak her desires. She sat back on her heels. “I want you undressed.”

  He flipped the waistband button to his cargo shorts, and the soft slow rip of the zipper followed, freeing his erection.

  She flushed and looked up.

  His eyes locked on her, his smile warm and playful. “And?”

  “Yes, off.” She burned ever hotter.

  He raised his hips and shoved down his shorts to kick them away.

  She skimmed her gaze over him, taking in his teasing grin and hot eyes, the sculpted bone and muscle, the trail of dark hair and his rigid arching length. Oh, sweet heaven, he was glorious when nude. Her own fantasy warrior lounging there boldly, scarred and battered by life, but perfect to her eyes.

  “Now what, sweetheart?” He stroked his hand over his length, his eyes amused.

  Okay, her turn. Firmly ignoring her steamy blush and the last nervous gasp of modesty, she rose, keeping her eyes locked on Dave. He’d seen all of her, touched all of her, tasted all of her—honestly, any claim to modesty was long abandoned. Taking courage in those lovely, sensual memories, she shimmied down the bikini bottoms until they fell away. Without a stitch on, she posed under the moonlight, steady on the outside, foolishly quaking inside and fighting the impulse to cover herself with her hands.

  Dave raked his gaze over her, and his cocky grin melted into stark desire. “Damn, you’re beautiful.”

  His rough voice shivered delight through her. She took his offered hand and sank down, straddling him once again. Rising on her knees, she arched her back, offering her breast to his mouth. “Kiss me.”

  With a groan, he dragged her close and grazed the barest peaks of her breasts with soft kisses. Then the hot, wet heat of his mouth engulfed her, and he suckled and rasped his tongue over her, melting her with delight. She braced hands against his shoulders and shivered and moaned, adoring every moment of his play with her breasts and yearning for more.

  She gasped. “I want you to touch me.”

  Dave lifted his head, his intense eyes glittering in the moonlight. “Where? With what? Tell me.”

  Of course, he wouldn’t let her escape the specifics in this game they played. She swallowed tensely. “I want you to touch me, with your hand…” Unable to say the words, she shut her eyes and slid her hand down her belly. Out loud, the choices always sounded so clinical or far too coarse.

  Be bold…

  If only. She forced her eyes open, meeting his sizzling gaze as she deliberately slipped her fingers lower to where she craved his touch. “Here.”

  “Tell me, exactly.”

  “Here…I need you…” Words failed her, but the shadowy night made demonstrating easier. “This…this.” He already had her so aroused, her own hesitant touch sent her shuddering.

  With a deliberate, approving smile, he cupped her head, drawing her to him, and took her mouth in a slow deep kiss as he claimed control of her hand and guided her fingers to slide and graze.

  Rippling pleasure followed his light stroke. She sighed. Yes…

  His low laugh followed, and he replaced her fingers with his, stroking and slipping in to fill her. Sweet lightning streaked. Bliss was instant and consuming. She gripped his shoulders and rode his caressing hand and the long, lovely release he drove her to, everything in the world disappearing but Dave in that timeless moment, her heart soaring and breaking simultaneously as she let herself pretend this was more than a summer affair.

  Once she’d come back to herself and caught her breath, she brushed a kiss to his mouth. “Now, I want to touch you.”

  “Where?”

  “Everywhere,” she blurted.

  “Then touch me.” Anticipation sparked in his eyes, and a pleased smug smile curved his mouth.

  Olivia caressed a hand along his jaw, tracing her thumb across his lip, laughing when he nipped and sucked her thumb into his mouth. Shifting to kneel beside him, she traced the line of hair over his taut belly and the anticipatory jumps of muscle, stroked through the thick hair, and teased her palm along the smooth hot skin of his shaft and lower to fondle him gently.

  Dave groaned, low and rich. “Oh yeah, that feels so good, sweetheart. I love your hands.”

  The sight of her hand on him was arousing in itself, and she delighted in the power to please him with her touch and in how he let himself freely and loudly enjoy, completely abandoned to pleasure. Hot and feverish, her whole body pulsed with want. If only she could let herself be as easily free and let passion without worry rule.

  Abruptly, Dave caught her to him and held her, his breath heaving. “Real good, sweetheart.” He chuckled. “Almost too good. Damn, I love being in your hands.” He took another long breath and easier exhale. “So what do you want to do next?”

  Pleasuring him had left her madly needy, and ideas and curiosity flooded her. “I—” But what if she asked something he no longer could do and made him uncomfortable?

  You started this, you better carry on.

  Her words burst free. “I want to try…making love in a different way.”

  “How?” He lazily folded his arms behind his head. “Tell me.”

  “I want you to show me something new. Show me something good for you…and me. Tell me. Teach me.” A fresh surge of heat swept her, both nervous and expectant.

  Lips pressed in a serious smile, he roamed his t
houghtful gaze over her body and returned to meet her eyes.

  “Okay.” He stroked her hair. “It’s a beautiful night. Let’s watch the stars together.” He shifted against the cushions, sitting upright, and reached into his bag. A moment later, he produced a condom and sheathed himself with sensual deliberation.

  “Now, honey, scoot around like you’re going to sit in my lap.”

  He guided her to kneel over him, her back to his chest and caressed her hips. “You have the most gorgeous back and ass.”

  He pressed kisses to her back. With his hands on her hips, he nudged her to rise and sink down, taking him slow, full, and deep.

  “So tight.” He groaned and wrapped her in his arms, his chin on her shoulder, cheek to cheek, keeping them close and still, bound in exquisite connection as they breathed together in beautiful timeless quiet. Surrounded by the dark lake and the immense bowl of the shimmering night sky, her every nerve alive and quivering, her body pulsing around him, this was like making love while floating among the stars.

  Releasing a peaceful sigh, he set her hands to her thighs and his hands to her hips, guiding her into a sweet, easy rise and fall.

  So much to feel: his gentle, work-worn hands cupping her breasts, his hot mouth nipping at her ear, the sensuous pinch of his fingers, and his steady deep thrusts. He slipped a finger between her legs, teasing near, almost there. She clenched around him, shivering heat coiled through her, and she bit her lip against her groan. So good, so close. His steadying hands and hips urged her onward. Breath rushing, her thighs straining in their driven pace, trembling set in, and her body tightened, readying, promising—

  “Oh, Dave!” Stars shot through her, bursting and vibrating through her body, and she leapt against his embracing arm, trapped in pleasure as he drew out her release.

  “How was that?” He murmured against her shoulder. “Like that one?”

  She gasped in a breath, blissfully weak and limp. “That was…incredible.”