He cupped my br**sts, restraining me.
Water lapped around us, as agitated as I was.
"Let go, Gideon."
I caught his wrists to pull his hands away.
He buried his face in my neck, obstinately holding on.
"We'll get there.
Okay? Just - We'll get there."
I deflated, feeling little of the triumph I had hoped to feel when I'd first asked and anticipated his answer.
"Can we give it a rest tonight?" he asked gruffly, still clinging tight.
"Give it all a rest? I just want to be with you, all right? Order something in for dinner, watch TV, hold you when I sleep.
Can we do that?" Realizing something was seriously off, I twisted to face him.
"What's wrong?" "I just want some time with you."
My eyes stung with tears.
There was more he wasn't telling me, so much more.
Our relationship was swiftly becoming a minefield of words left unsaid and secrets not shared.
"Okay."
"I need it, Eva.
You and me with no drama."
His wet fingertips brushed across my cheek.
"Give me that.
Please.
Then give me a kiss."
Turning around, I straddled his h*ps and cupped his face in my hands.
I angled my head to find the perfect approach and pressed my lips to his.
I started out soft and slow, licking and suckling.
I tugged on his bottom lip, then coaxed him to forget our problems with teasing strokes of my tongue along his.
"Kiss me, damn it," he growled, his hands bracketing my spine and kneading restlessly.
"Kiss me like you love me."
"I do," I promised, breathing the words into him.
"I can't help it."