Lowering her to the grassy riverbank, he ran his lips down the column of her throat, trailing hot, fiery kisses across her skin and igniting a fierce, deep ache in the pit of her stomach. Then he ran his tongue across her nipple, nipping and suckling her until she thought she’d die with the pleasure of it.
With an abruptness that startled her, he rolled away and flopped on his back beside her, his arm flung over his eyes, his breath coming in harsh pants.
She blinked several times, coming back to herself and feeling the chill night air. Trembling, she righted her clothes.
She turned on her side to look at him, feeling bereft without the warmth of his touch. He seemed to be in physical pain, his big body taut with tension.
“What happened?” she whispered, tentatively touching his shoulder. “Did I do something wrong?”
He groaned and shook his head. “Just give me a minute.” His voice was rough and fractured, and she let her hand fall away from him, unsure what to do.
At last, he lowered his arm and met her troubled gaze. He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “Pulling away from you is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I can’t kiss you and touch you without wanting so much more.”
She flushed and let her gaze wander down the length of him to the straining ridge so lovingly molded by the thin fabric of his trousers.
His laugh sounded a bit unsteady. “Don’t look at me that way, sweetheart. I’m doing my best to be noble.”
“You’re not taking advantage of me,” she protested. “I wanted you to kiss me. I love what we do together.”
“Iamtaking advantage.” His beautiful eyes grew somber. “I’ve already made so many mistakes where you’re concerned. Christ, I’m afraid I’ve already ruined your reputation.”
“Ruined?” She shook her head, willing him to understand what she was feeling. “I’ve seen what it means to be ruined. And what I felt just now, in your arms, was far from that.”
He leaned forward and kissed her. A sweet, tender press of his lips. “I don’t ever want you to leave me.”
So marry me. The answer was so simple, but she didn’t have the courage to speak the words out loud. She’d just given him the perfect opportunity to admit that he wanted her for more than just a quick tumble, but he’d made light of it, and now she was lost, uncertain.
It was becoming more and more clear to her that no matter how much he might want her body, he didn’t want it enough to make her his wife.
“I think we should go back,” she told him miserably, her heart shattering. “Matt and Becky will be wondering where we are.”
He frowned, looking as though he’d liked to say more, but she turned her head, unable to face him any longer. It was painfully obvious that she’d made a fool of herself tonight, and she didn’t want him to read the truth in her eyes.
She’d fallen in love with a man who would never love her in return.
