Free Born Into Love by Catherine LaClaire

that.” The sky seemed too close and the heavy air made her think of the tropics. “What happened to the breeze?”
    “We are not going to need it. The water is cool.”
    “Are you wearing cologne?”
    “From the Amazon. Luz prepares it.”
    “Potent.”
    “Let’s not talk.” His hand freed the wet hair she’d tucked behind her ears. “We have urgent business.”
    “I know.”
    He led her to a depth where the water rode her shoulders. He drew her closer. She linked her hands behind his neck, pausing to feel his loose dark hair under her fingertips. His lips closed over hers. She met him with an emotion that danced along her skin.
    His touch sent a cascade of joy through her body. His whispered words tinged with emotion flew away, lost to her in a surrender she willing gave and a shared intimacy she needed. Reluctant to part, they held each other tightly as if to keep even the air from parting them. He swept her into his arms and carried her out of the water onto a thick blanket.
    Before she opened her eyes, he kissed her lids. “We are new to each other. How do you feel? Are you happy?”
    She fought against tears. Always when she felt too full of emotion, they spoke for her. But tonight, she wouldn’t let that happen. “Yes.”
    As though she might break, he handled her gently and shielded her from the cool air with a large fluffy towel. “Mercedes, I too, am happy.”
     
    * * *
     
    Diego had spent hundreds of years taking, but tonight Mercedes’ happiness mattered more. Had that happened in the past? Never. And now that Mercedes held him in her gaze with affection and communicated it in her touch, his hope grew. At this moment the feeling was as fragile as an Andean blossom.
    With her fingertips she traced the bones of his face and kissed his eyes. Could she tell he had seen too much?
    No.
    His secret was too deeply hidden. He pretended to breathe the same air as she, his heart pretended to beat as hers, but he had succumbed to the most horrible of fates. Her hands traced his face and he inhaled her womanly scent wishing the solution to his existence were as simple as taking in and expelling the air around him.
    His limitations no longer mattered. He was a man with desires and a passion for her. Everything that did not smell or taste of Mercedes fell away.
    They rested in each other’s arms sharing the warmth of another blanket until subtle movements of her shoulders told him she needed to talk. “What is it?” Already he knew she would get directly into what was bothering her.
    “I’m one of those women who need to know where things stand.” She tossed her head and her damp curls bounced. “Men think that’s pressure.” She angled away in order to see his face full on. “Ready to hear the rest or do you want to flee into the house?”
    “I will remain.”
    “I need to know what’s happening between us.”
    Direct. Honest. Qualities he admired. “Are you asking if I love you?”
    “Please, I’m not needy. I’m merely protecting my heart. What I want to know now is if you’re playing with me.”
    “How much detail do you want?”
    “I’d like to know where we stand.”
    What could he say without scaring her? Could he tell her he wanted to be with her every minute? How could he answer when his heart wanted to rule his thoughts? This territory caught him off-guard, but not outflanked because what he felt for her was real. “Being near you excites me. Being with you as we have been, has made me lighter, happier.” He held her gaze. “You are someone I do not want to lose.” She rested her head on his chest where he allowed his heart to beat only for her. As she spoke her warm breath ran across his skin.
    “In that case, I’d like another kiss.”

 
     
    Chapter 5
     
    The blood bank. How could he enter? The hunger, when it surfaced, cracked the shell of propriety Diego struggled to hold. At the building’s entrance, he backed off. Too tempting a venue and the day, too sunny.