on to the possibility of bloodshed he told her about stopping by the Livingston place to see the dog, and take them some more food.
“He—Sajack—seemed happy. He ran to me and acted like he wanted to leave when I did, but Mary Alice patted her lap and called him and he went right back to her. You can tell she already dotes on him.”
And he missed the dog. He didn’t have to say it. She gave him a quick hug before they went inside.
The night proceeded much like the one before it had, with him building up the fire and moving the mattress into the living area. He unpacked the duffle bags, laying out an impressive array of weapons, which he inspected by lamplight though she knew, since the weapons belonged to him, that they were already in excellent condition. But he was thorough, and he knew what he was doing.
She was so tired, and content to sit and read while he worked. She glanced at the clock once and saw that it was barely eight-thirty. Both the book and her eyelids got heavy, and with a sigh she rested her head against the back of the couch and closed her eyes, just for a minute. The next thing she knew he was lifting her in his arms, and when she looked again at the clock it was after nine.
“I didn’t mean to doze off,” she murmured.
“If you’re too tired we can—”
She interrupted him. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Most definitely.” He gave her that small, delicious smile of his and her heart lurched wildly. They undressed each other—not as frantically as they had the night before, but their pace wasn’t leisurely, either.
Foreplay was limited to the fierce caresses they shared before lying down; he rolled onto his back, pulled her on top of him, and without hesitation she gripped his penis and guided him inside her. She felt as if her entire body tightened around him, so intense was the feel of him, big and hot, deep inside. She groaned aloud as she leaned back, intensifying the contact. His big hands closed over her breasts, rough thumbs rubbing over her nipples, then he moved his grip to her hips and rocked her back and forth.
Her climax hit so fast and hard that it took her by surprise. Dimly, from the depths of wrenching pleasure, she heard her own high, soaring cries and was astonished at herself. She’d never been a yeller . . . until Ben. Everything about him pulled her out of herself, took her to new places even though those places were all in her head.
When she collapsed limply on his chest he rolled with her, tucked her under him, and stroked deep into her. He had enough control to hold on until she came again, then with a low, harsh sound he let himself go.
Lying together in front of the fire, nested in the blankets, was one of the best things she’d ever known in her life. His hand moved slowly up and down her bare back, gently massaging her vertebrae, stroking over her butt. She rested her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat, acutely aware of both his strength and the fragility of life.
“Stop worrying,” he said, pulling her closer and kissing her temple.
“I didn’t say a word,” she protested, tilting her head back to look at him.
“You didn’t have to.”
She didn’t argue, because what was the use? Instead she concentrated on this moment, the now. They were naked beneath the covers, wonderfully warm on a cold night, skin to skin, legs tangled. The fire had died down to a quiet crackle of low flames, just warm enough. In the now, she couldn’t have asked for anything more.
All it had taken to get her here was the end of the world as she knew it.
After a while he said, “What you told that preacher . . .”
“Common sense.”
“It was.” He paused. “We’ll be out of condoms soon. And I don’t want to stop . . . this.” His hand moved along her hip, her thigh.
Her breath sighed out of her. “I don’t, either.”
“We should get married.” His voice was rough. “Don’t say anything yet. Think about it, and think hard. I’m not— I’ll try to change, but I’m not an easy person to live with. There are days when I just want to be left alone.”
Electricity ran through Sela and she rose up on one elbow, her eyes huge as she stared at him in