Then, the incendiary embrace gave way to soft pecks and tender caresses. A smile passed between them. This was the first real chance either of them had to exhale.
Breaking away, he lathered his hands. Then, he took his time to appreciate every beautiful inch of her, running his sudsy fingers over her luscious body. When finished, he pressed a kiss to her temple. Being with Evangeline made his blood pump faster and his determination soar.
She pampered him with delicate caresses and kisses while she soaped his body. Taking her time, she massaged his tight shoulders and back muscles. He released a long moan. “You feel so good.”
“I love touching you,” she murmured.
When she finished, she rinsed him off and pressed her lips to his. Her bedroom eyes drew him closer, her beautiful mouth a constant temptation. How in the hell could he ever let this amazing woman go?
I can’t.
He turned off the shower and they dried each other before dressing in the plush robes hanging in the large walk-in closet. Threading her fingers through his, she led him into the bedroom, opened the French doors and walked onto the balcony that overlooked the jet-black ocean. They stood in silence, the waves crashing on the sand, the cold air invigorating him. A moment passed before she leaned up and kissed his cheekbone.
“I’d like to talk about our kink.”
He waited.
“I went to The Dungeon on the dare of a curious friend. For the year I was there, I only played with you.”
Information he already knew, so he stayed silent.
“I’m a control freak in all things, but there was something about you that made me want to relinquish that and play with you. The sensory deprivation is fun, but it’s not something I need.”
“Understood.”
“I’d never told anyone about my inability to climax, but I confided in you. I believed you could help me…and you did. When intercourse became part of our kink, I told myself it was to enhance the experience, but I…” She faced the ocean and a biting breeze blew through them. He pulled her close to warm her. “I looked forward to our time together because it wasyou. The kink was secondary.” Pausing, she inhaled a deep breath. “If the scenes are something you need, I’m all in. Yes, I’m uptight and overly tense because of everything that’s going on, but…” She turned to face him. “I have no trouble coming with you.” She shot him a little smile. “You know how to pushallmy buttons, Sinclair Develin. All of them.”
As he gazed into her eyes, he knew. The depth of his feelings should have left him unsettled, but it both grounded him and freed him. “When you left, I couldn’t replace you.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Being with you isn’t about a scene. It’s about you…it’s about us. That’s all it’s ever been for me.”
The strength in her kiss told him everything he needed to know. “Your lips are cold. You ready to go inside?”
Together, they entered the bedroom, shed their robes, and crawled into bed. Facing him, she leaned on her elbow. He laid on his back, put one arm behind his head, and patted his chest. “You owe me a cuddle.”
She leaned over and kissed him. “I like looking at you.”
“Same.” As they stared into each other’s eyes, he asked, “Why do you think I helped you after the video surfaced?”
“Because you’re The Fixer?”
That made him laugh. “I’ve got a backlog of clients who need my help. I dropped everything…because it wasyou, Evan. It’s always been you.”
She caressed his cheek with the back of her fingers, leaned over, and kissed him again. “Thank you for being honest with me,” she murmured. “I’m not good at talking about my feelings.” She regarded him for an extra beat. “But I can show you.”
17
Uncle Charlie
In the pre-dawn hour, Evangeline slept soundly in Sin’s arms. They’d had sex again, but this time her touch had been soft, her kisses tender. And when she’d snuggled close and had fallen asleep, sated and exhausted, Sin found comfort in her rhythmic breathing.
He kissed her forehead, gently extracted himself, and left the bed to retrieve his Glock. When he returned, her eyes were wide open.
“Please tell me you aren’t going to murder me in my sleep.”
He got back into bed, kissed her bare shoulder. “I’m ensuring we stay safe.”
“I thought you said there are eyes on us.”
“And if someone takes Dakota’s guy out…”
