Free Eve by Iris Johansen Page B

were … tight.”
    “Yes, I was.” She was gasping, too. “But it was okay. Did it bother you?”
    “Hell, no.” He flexed within her at the memory. “It was fantastic.” Then he was getting off her and lying beside her. “But I should have been more careful. I thought about doing it, then it was gone, swept away.”
    Everything had been swept away but the act itself, Eve thought.
    And it was still here. The urgency was gone, but her body was still tingling, warm, vibrantly alive. No one had told her that the aftereffect would be like this.
    John was pulling her close again, cuddling her in his arms. “Thank you,” he said softly. “It was good, the best, Eve.”
    “Yes, it was.” She rubbed her cheek in the hollow of his shoulder. “I don’t see how it could be better. Do you?”
    He was silent. “Don’t be hasty. There’s always a way to make anything better. Let me think about it.”
    She nodded. “I’m willing to listen. You know best … for now.”
    He chuckled. “But you think that may be temporary?” He smoothed her hair. “You may be right.” He was silent. “You’re sure that you’re protected?”
    “I’m sure. I wasn’t going to go into this unless I knew I was safe.”
    “And you didn’t trust me to do it. I meant it, Eve. I wasn’t going to let you run any risk.”
    “It’s my body. I take care of it.” She lifted herself on one elbow and looked down at him. “This way I don’t have to trust you. Isn’t that what you really wanted? No strings. That’s what you said.”
    “Yes, that’s what I said.” His finger traced the curve of her upper lip. “But I’ve been known to be unreasonable now and then. Maybe I’m hurt that you didn’t trust me.”
    “I don’t think so.” She frowned. “But it’s too dark to see your face. I can’t tell if you’re— Where are you going?” she asked, startled, as he jumped to his feet and was heading back to the car. “What are you doing?”
    “You don’t like it dark? Let there be light.” He flipped on the headlights.
    She inhaled sharply as she was illuminated in the intensity of the headlights. She scrambled to her knees, staring at his dark shadow near the car. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
    “Sometimes the unexpected is exciting.”
    “I feel … naked. Somehow, I didn’t before.” She had only been aware of textures, scents, sensation.
    “I like you naked.”
    “I’m too thin.”
    “You’re perfect.”
    “Liar. Why did you turn on the lights?”
    “I felt your burn. I wanted to see it.” He was coming toward her out of the shadow. Lord, he was beautiful. Olive skin that looked darker in contrast to the clear light. Muscular stomach and thighs. And the expression on his face … Full lips, white teeth, and glittering dark eyes that were sensuality itself. “ While I was feeling it.” He fell to his knees in front of her. His fingers tangled in her red-brown hair, and he tilted her head back. “The light is turning your skin golden as if it was sunlight.” He bent his head, and his lips enveloped her nipple. “Do you feel the heat, Eve?”
    “Yes.” It was happening again. This time the sensation was so erotic that the intensity was almost painful. Her nails dug into his shoulders. “What are you going to do?”
    He was kneeling there, ready, tense. Both of them caught in the brilliant spotlight. She had a sudden hazy memory of the moment in the hospital the first night she’d met him.
    Ready to perform …
    “It’s what you’re going to do.” He lifted his head and moved her legs on either side of his hips. Then he was raising her, bringing her to him. He whispered. “Let me feel the heat. Come burn me, Eve…”

CHAPTER
    5
    IT WAS ALMOST DAWN WHEN they left the reservoir.
    “You’re quiet.” John shot her a glance. “Are you having second thoughts?”
    “Why?” She looked at him. “It would be a little late, wouldn’t it?” She didn’t know how many times they’d come