and still warm from the day’s heat. He wrapped a blanket around them both, then took her face in his palms. She closed her eyes, and he kissed them each in turn. The small breath she expelled was warm against his throat as desire washed over him.
His fingers trickled to the neck of her blouse and trembled, nearing the first button. He hesitated, waiting for a protest, but she made no sound. He slid the small, smooth orb from the fabric, then drifted on to the next one—and the next. A cloud skimmed across the moon, plunging their tiny world into a pool of inky darkness.
He had no idea what he should do next or what she might like. All he knew was what she didn’t want, and what she didn’t want was forever.
He told himself to go slow, to be careful not to scare her, not to leap on her and kiss every inch of her he could reach.
Not yet, anyway.
She stroked the backs of her fingers along the side of his cheek. He turned his head slightly and kissed her knuckles.
“You have an amazing face,” she said, tracing his lips. “It’s like one of your designs. All smooth curves over reinforced steel.”
“You hate my designs.”
“Not all of them,” she said, with that touch of honesty he found so appealing. “And I do like your face.”
“Especially my nose, right?”
“Among other things. You aren’t the only one who can have a list.”
He slipped his hands inside her shirt and against the warmth of her bare flesh, feeling the sudden leap of her heart. She clutched at him and drew him closer, the tip of her tongue tasting the V at the base of his neck. His own heart quickened.
“Do you want this, Eve?” He hated that he had to ask.
“Yes…I do.” Her words were husky and laced with the same desire that Matt himself fought so hard to control. He buried his face in her hair.
“Then ask me for it,” he demanded softly. He knew she was afraid of commitment. He supposed that was to be expected, considering everything that had happened in her life. He didn’t, however, want her to be afraid with him. Nor did he want to be the only one feeling something special. Was there a chance that Eve might learn to love him? Or was he foolish to think they might someday have more between them than the casual affair she claimed to want?
For what seemed like forever, there was silence. Then, her hands glided gently over him. “Let me show you.”
“Not yet.” Matt captured the corner of her soft mouth with a light touch from his own. “First, I have to hear you say it.”
She drew back slightly, and he decided he was nuts to make her ask. What would he do if she refused?
“I want this, Matt…please.” Her voice was low, steady, and certain against his chest.
The moon peeked out from behind the clouds, only to disappear again a few seconds later. The ice-cold fingers that had curled around his heart slowly eased their grip as she slipped her arms around his waist and held him tight.
They spread the blankets over the hard rock, then undressed slowly, punctuating their progress with little kisses in out-of-the-way places. Matt loved the feel of her. She was soft and silky, and melted into sighs when he touched her.
She rubbed the back of his leg with her foot, the rough friction only making him want her more. She trailed the tips of her fingers across his lips and jaw, then kissed his bare chest.
“Please,” she begged, and Matt drew her on top of him, his hands on her hips as he guided them together.
He should be embarrassed by how ready he was for her, but he’d waited too long and wanted her too much, and soon her cries of pleasure echoed with his.
…
They lay together for a long time afterward, listening to the sounds of the night and the beating of their hearts. Eve’s was tripping along like a jackhammer.
Matt kissed the side of her neck, and her nerve endings sent out thousands of tiny electric impulses. Her shoulder jerked in response.
“You’re ticklish.” He said it as if it were some wondrous discovery. He wrapped his arms and the blanket more tightly around her, and rested his chin on the top of her head. “Are you cold?”
“No.” How could she possibly be cold? She snuggled in deeper. It was nice having him fuss over her. Waves lapped