did something stupid. She was starting over, looking for someone new, someone to build a life with, have a home and a family. Darcy was her past, not her future.
If only his presence wasn’t so compelling. If only he wasn’t the only man on this cruise she’d like to spend time with. She heard herself say, “Fresh air would be nice.”
Outside, couples leaned against the railing, arms entwined, gazing at the moon spilling liquid silver across the inky waves. Ghostly gulls wheeled and soared into the night sky. Her heeled sandals ticked on the metal deck as Darcy led her past the others, seeking a secluded area.
She must be insane to hook up with him when she’d come on this cruise expressly to try and forget the man. But she’d also come to have fun. It had been too long since she’d laughed, or danced. Darcy was excitement on legs, a party in a pair of pants. If she were looking for a fling, if they didn’t have history, he would be her go-to guy.
Despite the way their marriage had ended—with anger and recriminations—she trusted and respected him...even if he was now cruising for casual sex. They’d met in the E.R. at the Frankston Hospital when he’d brought in a woman who’d been slipped a date-rape drug at his pub. Even though he hadn’t known the woman, he’d stayed till she was treated and personally called his friend Riley so she could report the matter to the police. When he’d asked Emma out she’d said yes right away. Guys as caring as Darcy didn’t come along every day.
That seemed a very long time ago. Since then Holly’s death and the aftermath had eaten away at their love until there was nothing left.
They rounded a bulkhead onto an empty stretch of deck. Nervous, she tugged her hand free and went to the rail. A warm wind pushed her hair every which way and lifted the skirt of her dress.
Darcy’s arms came around her from behind, sliding across her midriff below her breasts. Warm and solid—and yes, still aroused—he felt so good. She leaned away to tell him she couldn’t do this. After all the pain they’d gone through to extricate themselves from each other’s lives, it was a mistake. Before she could speak he kissed her behind the ear, sending tingles rippling across her skin.
“I’ve missed you,” Darcy murmured against her neck.
Her eyes shut, her chest aching. She’d missed him, too. More than she’d realized. Missed his humor and caring and strength. Plus, with Darcy she didn’t have to pretend to be happy. He knew what she’d been through even if they didn’t agree on where fault lay. Unlike a stranger, he wouldn’t ask awkward questions about her broken marriage or unwittingly probe deeper so she’d be forced to either lie or confess she’d lost a daughter in tragic circumstances. Someday she might heal enough to speak of Holly without bursting into tears. But not yet.
Darcy traced the curve of her waist with his fingers, sliding up to cup her breast. His hand was warm and alive, but he waited, allowing her time to decide if she wanted his touch. The needs of her flesh—and her emotional needs, too, if she was honest—overrode her good sense. She missed the comfort of being held. Missed, too, the mindless pleasure of sex. Those few moments in which she could blank out the gaping hole in her life left by Holly’s death.
She covered his hand with hers and pressed his fingers into her breast, pushing his thumb across her nipple. His sigh, deep as a groan, rippled through her, and she turned in his arms. His heart thudded against her chest as she slipped her arms around his neck and leaned up for a kiss.
Now there was nothing demure in her approach, or tender in his response. The kiss was hot, wet and deep, almost violent in their mutual need. Abstinence might not have made their hearts grow fonder but it fueled desire. Over the past year she’d had opportunities to sleep with men, but hadn’t. She’d thought her libido had crashed. Apparently not. All it had taken to resurrect it was Darcy. Scary thought.
“Em.” His voice was ragged. “I know I’m not what you need—”
“Shh, you’re what I want.” She dragged him down for another scorching kiss that left them both breathless. “For tonight, that is. This doesn’t mean we’re getting back together.”
“Hell, no,” he said vehemently.
She knew where she stood with him.