to Louisiana because we had already formed a strong relationship. Then you did your best to push me away. Now I understand why. You were afraid of what would happen to me if I stayed. And you’re still fighting . . . us. Now do us both a favor and stop it.”
When he didn’t answer, she grabbed his hand and held on. She felt a shudder go through him. Then he began walking, leading her farther into the bayou, to a place where the ground was covered with soft moss and the light was filtered by tree branches.
He brought her under the shelter of a tree. When he turned to face her, his expression was grave. “We can settle things here. Or—you’re free to leave,” he said.
“Why are you still trying to push me away?”
“I’m giving you time to think rationally,” he said in a gritty voice.
“Well, I’ve always been better at action than thinking.”
Her hands weren’t quite steady as she reached for the hem of her knit top, pulled it over her head and tossed it on the ground. Then she kicked off her shoes before reaching for the waistband of her sweatpants and slicking them down her legs.
Wearing only her bra and panties, she smiled as she took in the stunned expression on his face. Because she was enjoying herself now, she reached around behind her back and unhooked the bra.
She felt her breath catch as his gaze swept over her. He finally spoke, and she thought everything would be all right. “You are so beautiful, standing there with the sunlight and shadow on you,” he breathed.
She smiled at him—in triumph and in joy. “We could use some more clothing on the moss—to make a nice bed.”
Still looking like he didn’t entirely believe they were here together, he pulled off his tee shirt, then his jeans, tossing them to join her clothing. But then he seemed incapable of moving. Or maybe he was simply incapable of believing that she hadn’t run away from him—after he had told her the worst.
She slicked her panties down her legs, then walked toward him and grasped the elastic band at the top of his briefs, pulling them off, too. Her touch seemed to release him from a spell.
With an urgent sound deep in his throat, he gathered her to him, his mouth coming down on hers for another hungry kiss.
They swayed together, touching, kissing, sighing, neither of them steady on their feet.
“Maybe we’d better get horizontal,” she said against his mouth.
“You mean before we topple over?”
“Yes.”
They lowered themselves to the makeshift bed, and he rolled to his back, bringing her down on top of himself, his hands taking long strokes along her back.
“Lord, I can’t believe this,” he whispered.
“I know. But it’s real,” she said, adjusting herself so that his erection was nestled in the space at the top of her legs.
He cradled her against his body, then rolled them to the side so that his hands could find her breasts, shaping them to his touch, and she responded with a long sigh of pleasure. Bending, he drew one nipple into his mouth, before lavishing his attention on the other.
When he looked up, his features were taut as he winnowed his hand through the back of her hair.
“Do you feel the magic?” he asked.
“Yes,” she answered, realizing that it was true. They were caught in a bubble of golden light, the only two people in a magic world.
Tender, possessive feelings welled inside her. Not just from herself—from Linette.
“Do you feel them?” she asked.
“Andre and Linette?” he asked.
“You do!”
“Yes.”
“Why weren’t they with us before—in the bedroom?”
“Because they were waiting for me to accept you—all of you,” she whispered, knowing it was the truth.
She expected him to look relieved. Instead, his features clouded. “You’re sure this isn’t just for them?”
“Of course, I’m sure. This is for us. But they want to be here, too,” she answered. “They want to share in what we’ve found together. Don’t ask me how I know all that. I just do.”
He nodded gravely, then leaned toward her, raining small kisses over her face, her shoulders, her breasts.
“Andre, please. I need you.”
“Not yet, chere. Don’t deny me the pleasure of touching you—kissing you.”
He didn’t give her a chance to argue. He stopped her words with his lips on hers as his hand slid down her body and dipped into her most sensitive flesh.
Her hips moving restlessly as he brought her up to an almost unbearable level of desire. She reached