Northern Rebel Daring in the Dark - By Jennifer Labrecque Page 0,106

technique?”

Simon chuckled, but it sounded forced. “There was one girl.... Her father was the vicar.”

Sometimes he wasn’t the most forthcoming with info. Fortunately Tawny didn’t mind asking questions. “How British...the vicar’s daughter. And her name was...?”

“Jillian. Jillian Carruthers.”

“And whatever happened to Jillian Carruthers? Or do you still see her when you go to England?”

“I do still see Jillian, almost every trip.”

“Oh.” Oh. Crud. Suddenly her teasing and Jillian weren’t quite so funny. In fact, Tawny felt sort of nauseous.

“She married my cousin Reg. They’re expecting twins this fall.”

“Oh.” Surely that hadn’t been pleasant to have his love interest marry his cousin. Was Jillian his unattainable woman? Yet, Simon had said his unattainable woman wasn’t married. Tawny knew she was an evil bitch to feel so relieved Jillian was safely out of the picture. “Is it awkward when you see them?”

“Not at all. That was a long time ago.”

She stroked her thumb over his arm, feeling the play of muscle beneath skin. “Did you ever tell her how you felt?”

“I did, in fact. But by the end of the summer, she decided I wasn’t her cup of tea. She and Reg became an item and that was that.”

Hmm. And there was more there than he was letting on. His tone was light and nonchalant, but she felt the tension in his body. “Were you devastated?”

“Only for a bit. They’re well suited. It worked out that way for a reason. Life has a way of doing that.”

She didn’t want him to retreat due to a memory of a lost love. She deliberately brought the conversation back to them. “I for one am glad it worked out that way because otherwise I wouldn’t be sitting here with you. Jillian has no idea what she’s missing.” She wriggled, pressing her buttocks against him, a not-so-subtle reminder of where he was, who he was with and the direction things were headed. “I think you’re lots of fun.”

“Do you now?” He pressed a kiss to the nape of her neck, seeming to inherently know her most sensitive spot. He laughed softly at her intake of breath and the shiver she had no hope of hiding.

“Yes,” she said. His teeth raked lightly against her shoulder and she shuddered at the exquisite sensation. “And I’m particularly fond of that kind of fun.”

“I’m just getting started with the fun. I owe you a back wash.” He released her and she passed him the soap. “Lean forward a bit.”

She folded her arms over her knees and rested her head on them. He stroked his soapy fingers over her shoulders, traced down the line of her backbone and then rubbed small circles over her back. She almost purred, it felt so good. “Ahh. You certainly know how to wash a back.”

“Your back has beautiful lines.” He curled his fingers along her right side. “This curve. Very graceful.”

Oh. The things he did and said—the way he made her feel. What was it about Simon that he unlocked more feelings, more response in her with a single touch than any man ever had with far more than a touch?

“Thank you. And don’t even think about stopping and getting your camera.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” Heat underscored his teasing tone.

The water lapped around her as he gentled his soap-slicked hands up her sides, his fingertips barely brushing the sides of her breasts, to her underarms. My God, she’d never had anyone stroke her underarms, never knew it could feel so good.

She raised her head and uncrossed her arms when he cupped his hands and ran them over her upper arms. He stroked the length of her limbs and she leaned back into him once again, her breasts tingling, tightening in anticipation of where his hands would roam next.

He reached around, beneath her arms, and worked his finger magic across her collarbone, along her chest leading to the slope of her breasts and then the curve of her breasts, along the side, beneath them but never actually touching them or her nipples. Finally he cupped them and she dropped her head back against him, the thud of his heartbeat strong against her shoulder.

“Yes.”

“Is this what you wanted?” His breath gusted against her neck. “Is this what you’ve been waiting for?”

“Yes.”

“Me, too,” he purred next to her ear while his fingers found her nipples. Warmth rushed between her thighs as he plucked and kneaded and caressed. Judging by the way his cock surged against her back, he enjoyed fondling her breasts as much as she enjoyed his