"One to ten now?" he asked.
"Four," I said.
"That's my girl," Bramwell murmured with quiet satisfaction.
His hands settled at my waist and hip, warm and steady, and then he lifted me in an effortless motion. A surprised sound slipped out of me as I found myself suspended, knees hooked around his hips, legs clasped tight despite my height and weight. My hands braced on his broad shoulders while his face softened into slow, unhurried satisfaction, as if every inch of this fit was exactly as it should be.
"Hi," he said.
I stared. He waited, thumbs tracing warm circles at my hips.
"I'm not light," I said.
"No. I know. I've watched you haul trail markers up a ridge by yourself. Carry equipment on fire lines like it was nothing." His voice softened.
I snorted. "Bramwell."
He lifted his gaze with steady confidence.
"You are exactly what I want, April. All of you. Every pound of muscle you've earned. I wouldn't change a single thing about you if I could."
Something loosened in my chest. He drew me down until my thighs pressed against his ribs and kissed me.
He started soft, then the kiss shifted, restraint set aside, mouth hungrier, claiming. His hand tightened in my hair; his other arm pulled me flush against him so there was no space left betweenus. The press of him through clothing, the length of his chest and the firmness of his hips made the air between us hum.
I made a sound into his mouth. He answered, deeper. When he finally broke the kiss his breathing was uneven and his eyes were darker.
"You own me, April," he said.
I met his gaze and he kissed me again, deeper this time, as if something in him had finally given way. The press of his body made thought scatter, and I drew in a shaky breath as courage gathered slowly in my chest, just enough for me to try and say what I actually wanted in that moment.
"I want to see you now, Brams," I breathed.
A slow grin crossed his face. "Well," he murmured, "how am I supposed to resist you when you look at me like that?"
He peeled off his shirt. A silver hoop at the ridge of his nipple stole my breath; he caught my gasp and looked up at me with a slow, knowing smile, something wicked and unapologetic flickering in his eyes.
"And that's not the only place I have a piercing, Miss April," he teased as he unbuttoned his trousers.
He undressed with easy confidence, broad shoulders, bands of muscle flowing into a powerful torso. Up close, he was enormous and gentle at once, a steady, warm weight that tilted the room. When he was bare, I rose a little to drink him in; he met my eyes and smiled, soft and satisfied.
"You are very... handsome," I said.
He laughed softly. "Not half as much as you, Miss April, but you know the best part?"
I shook my head.
"It is all yours," he said and then kissed me with a fervor that left no doubt.
"Still okay?" he asked against my mouth.
I nodded.
Without warning he lifted my legs and draped them over his shoulders, breath hot against my skin.
"Okay?" he asked.
"Yes."
