J. Robb - Bump in The Night

Wriggling and kicking, Grace let out a shriek. „Don’t you dare.“

„Did I hear the word dare?“ Josh gave an imitation of an evil laugh. „Woman, never dare Fearless Josh Cramer. It’s the one thing I simply can’t resist.“

„Josh. These are the only clothes I have.“

„Hmm. Another reason to toss you in the lake. I have an idea you’d look cute in nothing but your birthday suit.“

„Josh, I’m warning you. Put me down.“

„Yes, ma’am.“ With another laugh he did just that, and watched as Grace landed in the water with a grand and glorious splash.

She came up sputtering, wiping hair from her eyes. „I can’t believe you did that.“

Josh was laughing so hard he could barely speak. „Just following orders, ma’am. You did tell me to put you down.“

While he was distracted laughing Grace reached out and snagged his ankle. Before he realized what she was planning, she gave a fierce tug and he landed in the water almost on top of her.

His hand snaked out to reach for her, but she managed to evade him and ducked under the water. He followed, and this time, when he surfaced, he had hold of her.

She felt the heat where his hands were touching her.

„You’re very quick, Ms. Marin.“ He arched one brow like a villain. „But not quite quick enough. Now, how will I make you atone for that crime you just committed?“

She couldn’t help laughing as she batted her eyelashes and gave him a demure smile. „It’s my nature to share. I figured it wouldn’t be fair of me to hog all this warm water for myself.“

He was grinning. „Sorry, kid. You’ll never make it on the stage.“

„And I thought I was such a good actress.“ She sighed and wiggled her toes. „This water really is warm. I expected to come up shivering when you tossed me. But it’s as warm as a bath.“

„Now that you mention it…“ He drew her fractionally closer. „And here I was hoping you’d need me to warm you.“

She was laughing, her face turned up to his. „Sorry to thwart your plans.“

„Not a problem. I’m very good at changing tactics in midstream.“ He pressed his lips to the corner of her mouth and nibbled a droplet of water.

She sucked in a quick breath. „Oh, yes. That was a very good change of tactic.“

„Thanks. But it was clumsy. Give me a second chance. I can do better.“ He dipped his head and covered her mouth fully with his.

Grace gave herself up to the pure pleasure of the moment. It was the most delicious feeling to be held suspended in the water by those strong arms while that clever mouth moved over hers, weaving its magic. Slivers of fire and ice curled along her spine. With every touch of his lips, she could feel her body growing soft and pliant against his.

„Umm. That’s much better.“ She wrapped her arms around his waist and held on as he took the kiss deeper.

They stayed locked together, mouths mating, breath mingling, until the world around mem seemed to fade away. When at last they came up for air, their hearts were racing.

„Grace.“ The way Josh spoke her name on a fervent whisper had her going still. „We both know a kiss isn’t enough this time.“

„I know.“ Her throat felt too tight.

„You know what I want.“ He tipped up her chin to stare down into her eyes. „But I need to know if it’s what you want, too.“

While he waited for her answer, he felt his heart stop. She’d become a hunger. A need that could no longer be ignored.

„I want the same thing you want, Josh.“ She touched her mouth to his in the softest of butterfly kisses.

His movements stilled. With his hands framing her face, he studied her. His voice, when he finally spoke, was gruff. „You’re sure?“

She was afraid to speak over the lump in her throat, so she merely nodded before leaning into him and offering her mouth.

She could feel him fighting to keep the kiss soft as his lips claimed hers, alternately draining her, then filling her, until all she could taste was him. She was so caught up in the kiss, she wasn’t even aware that he’d begun moving toward shore. When they reached the shallows he lifted her easily in his arms and strode toward the cabin.

Her heart was pounding so loudly in her chest, she wondered that he couldn’t hear it. But when she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her mouth to his throat, she heard his quick intake of breath and knew that he was as caught up in the moment as she was.

He paused to kick in the door, then strode across the room and set her on her feet. Water sheeted from their bodies, forming puddles on the floor. Neither of them took any notice.

His hands were greedy as he fumbled with the buttons of her wet shirt, nearly shredding it in his haste to remove it. Beneath it was nude lace, clinging to her like a second skin. He disposed of it just as quickly, revealing a body so perfect it had him sucking in a breath.

„You’re beautiful, Grace.“

Seeing the desire in his eyes, hearing the husky quality of his voice, had her experiencing the familiar trickle of fear. Fear of what they were about to share. Not because she feared the act itself, but because the feelings she had for this man were too strong, too intense. He was the one she’d been waiting a lifetime to find. For that reason, she knew she was leaving herself open to heartbreak. If he didn’t share these feelings, she would have only herself to blame.

His hands stilled. „Having second thoughts?“

She lifted her chin like a prizefighter. „Of course not.“

He merely grinned. „I told you, Grace, you’re not a very good actress. And a really lousy liar.“

„I’m not afraid.“ But her voice wavered as he lowered his mouth to her breast.

Heat poured between them and she wondered that her trembling legs could still hold her. To anchor herself she wrapped her arms around his waist as his clever mouth slowly drove her closer and closer to the edge of madness.

Desperate to touch him as he was touching her, she reached blindly for the fasteners at his waist and tugged at his wet denims until they joined hers at their feet. As her hands moved over him, she was rewarded by his low hum of pleasure.

He’d been content to move slowly, to taste and touch and explore. But now, with her hands on him, the need was so sharp, there was no way of slowing the passion that was raging. Though he fought to bank the flame of desire, he could feel it burning out of control.

He cupped her hips and dragged her roughly against him, all the while lingering over her mouth. With lips and teeth and tongue he took her on a wild ride. One minute she was holding on tightly, the next she felt herself stepping over the edge of a high, sheer cliff and falling, until the next touch had her soaring.

„Afraid now?“ The word was whispered inside her mouth.

„Should I be?“ She spoke the words on a shudder of pleasure.

„I’ll never hurt you, Grace.“

„I know.“ But she knew, in some small corner of her mind, that he was the only man who could. When she left this place, she would be leaving her heart with him.

While he explored the wonders of her mouth, she drank him in. Dark. Exciting. When he dipped his mouth lower, to the sensitive hollow of her throat, she arched her neck and actually purred with pleasure. Encouraged, he pressed soft, feathery kisses along her shoulder, over her collarbone. When he dipped his mouth lower, to take her breast, she felt her legs buckle.

At once his arms were there to catch her. He lowered her to the rug in front of the fireplace. His mouth covered hers in a kiss so hot, so fierce, it had her breath backing up in her throat. There was an urgency now that had their hearts racing, their lungs straining.