she sucked in a breath while he clenched his jaw and every tendon in his body locked tight.
When he had the pressure under control, he began to move, his mind drifting, floating, as he filled more and more of her and his own sensations climbed.
He pushed up onto elbows and, eyes closed, drilled ever deeper while Taryn's fingers fanned over his chest and the bulging cords in his neck. Even though he knew there would definitely be a next time, and soon, he wanted this to last...the throbbing, pushing burn, the heavenly slide of her body beneath his. But the fire was too hot. His need for release too great. As he craned his neck toward the moon, she held on to his arms and he pumped a final mind-blowing time.
Chapter Fourteen
"Doesn't Australia seem a long way away?"
Taryn and Cole were lying together under the stars. The moon had dropped halfway into the ocean and everything was spookily quiet - as if the whole world were asleep.
Except for them.
Cuddling closer into the heat of his hard chest, she replied, "Doesn't sound as if you're in a hurry to get back."
"I feel strangely at ease." His lips nuzzled her hair. "Wonder why."
Because they'd just made love. But even in her mind, that sounded way too simple. Yes, their bodies had joined, but she felt as if their spirits had met, too. This was what being with someone was supposed to feel like. Totally absorbing. Completely fulfilling. Wondering how she'd ever find the wherewithal to move from this divine spot and leave this time behind, she snuggled in more.
Whether Cole felt as moved by the experience as she did, Taryn couldn't say. Nor would she ask. She might be feeling all wistful and in love with the universe. But more than instinct said Cole, or any man for that matter, didn't want to come over all marshmallow, dissecting feelings composed mainly of postcoital buzz...with feeling unbelievably fulfilled on every level. Rather he might like to broaden the discussion. Probably not such a bad idea.
"There's another reason you'd feel more relaxed. Your father's troubles are sorted."
He was quiet for a long time, simply stroking her arm with two fingers.
"I was thinking about my mother earlier today," he finally said. "Do you know she used to call me special?"
Taryn smiled. "I'm sure you were."
"She said I was so brave and clever, I was bound to grow into a man everyone could rely on."
"And you're living up to her prediction."
"Yeah. I'm the fix-it guy."
"What do you think would happen if you didn't run yourself ragged trying to fix everything all the time?"
Now that she'd seen him a league away from the office, unburdened like this, she couldn't help but wonder.
"If I didn't keep an eye on Hunter's dealings in the States as well as back home, frankly, I'd run the risk of seeing it all fall apart."
"Is it really that bad?"
"Let's just say, it's a full-time job."
"And the price you pay is a coronary."
"I got the impression you were a 'dot every i' type, too. I'm still not convinced you didn't order one bedroom, even subconsciously."
She knuckled his ribs. "You're not that good."
"Aren't I?"
He drew her up so that she lay on top of him. Then he kissed her, tenderly and with infinite meaning...in a way he hadn't kissed her before. And all the problems and doubts in the world faded clean away.
When they came up for air, she breathed out a long sigh then lay her cheek on his shoulder.
"Well, on second thought," she said, "maybe you are that good."
* * *
When Taryn woke in bed the next morning, the sun had just peeked over the horizon and the sheet-rumpled space beside her was empty.
Sitting up with a start, she pushed back hair fallen over her brow then relaxed, remembering how her evening with Cole had ended. The most romantic night of her life.
After making love again on the beach and coming to terms with the fact that no baby turtles were likely to hatch, they'd meandered back to the bungalow. Sandy and sticky, they'd showered together - soaping each other up then taking their sweet time to wash each other down. After drying off, they'd jumped into this bed and, with that rattan fan beating warm air over their heads, had continued to talk and kiss and more.
What time had she fallen asleep? Didn't matter. She'd never felt more refreshed. And disappointed. She'd imagined cuddling up with Cole this morning and repeating what