He must be getting rusty in his old age.
Swimming to the side he hoisted himself out and took off after her, laughter rumbling in his chest.
Instead of heading for the house, she hit the stairs leading to the lower level. Her only escape from there was the waters of Sydney Harbour, which meant swim or boat.
The boat keys were in the house and, unlike him, she’d never liked swimming in the harbor. He didn’t think she’d start now.
When he reached the bottom, he spotted her lying on one of the sun lounges as if she hadn’t just led him on a merry chase.
Slowing to a walk, he took his time reaching her. He bent over her and gripped the edges of her chair on either side of her waist.
Lowering his head, he placed his mouth next to her ear and blew a stream of air over her skin. She trembled visibly and he couldn’t hold back his smile.
“Still capable of a sneak attack I see.” He dipped his mouth lower and brushed his lips over the shell of her ear. “Do you remember how I used to get payback, Vee? Remember how I’d wait until you least expected it?”
“Y-yes.” Her breath teased his chest and sent a shudder through him.
“You don’t have to worry about that this time,” he said.
“I-I don’t?”
“No. Payback is now.” Before she could think or take a breath he turned his head and slanted his mouth over hers.
He took them deep, pressed into her mouth and stroked his tongue over hers.
She moaned and he drew the sound inside.
Her hands gripped his head, her fingers twisting in his hair and tugging him closer.
Blood rushed in his veins, filled his cock with pounding need, and his senses went into overdrive.
Everywhere they touched—and everywhere they didn’t—he burned.
His skin felt too tight, stretched over his bones in a layer of blistering sensation that stole his breath.
She tore her mouth from his. “Brent.”
The breathy way his name slipped over her lips sent a jolt of lust through him. He wanted to hear her call his name when she climaxed. But he didn’t want that here.
Not outside.
Not on the waterfront where anyone could see them. Pulling away, he stood and offered her a hand.
“Come on.”
“What? Where?”
He loved the dazed look in her eyes. Loved that he made her not only breathless, but mindless too. With a grin he bent over and scooped her up.
“Brent!”
He chuckled and mimicked her tone. “Valentine!”
“Put me down.” She wiggled in his arms.
“I will.” He tightened his grip and brought her closer to his chest. “As soon as I get my bed under you.”
ChapterTwelve
