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Hannah had pictured a moreromantic scene behind her favorite waterfall—Rhys taking her into his arms, kissing her, pulling at her clothes the way her hands itched to pluck at his perfectly fitting uniform.To her consternation, he stared straight ahead at the sheet of water cascading in front of them.It lightly misted the air, tiny droplets clinging to them.
Disappointment and hurt welled in her at his lack of reaction, but she didn’t show it.“Is everything okay?Is this bothering you?”
“No.”
“I can tellsomething’swrong.”She reached for his hand.To her relief, he curled his around her fingers.
“It’s the same as it was last night.”Her pulse picked up at the memory.“I still don’t know what I’m doing.”
She exhaled a shaky sigh of relief.“We’ve been over that.You’re a quick learner.Don’t sweat it.”
“I had no idea other cyborgs had already started relationships with New Edeners.”With his free hand, he pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.“This is something I should have anticipated happening.”
“How?It’s not like your people socialized with others that much.”
Rhys considered his next words, and a moment passed before he spoke.“That’s not entirely accurate.Our ship occasionally made supply runs at stations staffed with people.It wasn’t widely discussed, but I know at least a few had physical relations with residents.Those details weren’t shared with me.”
“Seriously?You aren’t a bunch of virgin cyborgs waiting to get jumped?”She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.“What about your shared telepathy link?”
“We can’t read each other’s thoughts.We can communicate with one another, that’s all.”Rhys’s gaze remained trained on the water.
“And what, you think I’d be upset about that?I’m not.”She squeezed his hand and was reassured when he returned the gesture.“I’m not going to push you into anything you don’t want.It’s up to you.”
He was quiet again, motionless, except for his thumb stroking the back of her hand.Hannah leaned against him, solid and immovable as a tree, as they stared at the water falling.
“I want it all,” he finally said, voice quiet.“I want you more than I’ve wanted anything.”
Hannah shifted so she could better see his face.Her knees went a little weak.The look he sent her—so full of promise and desire—scorched something in her, and she nearly threw herself into his arms.But she remained where she was, wanting him to be in charge of this.
He raised his free hand and brushed aside a few strands of hair that had escaped her braid, then brushed the backs of his fingers against her skin.Hannah’s breathing stilled for a couple of seconds as the light touch set every nerve ending in her body aflame.Goosebumps popped up along her skin.
His kiss was gentle, almost hesitant, as if he was nervous she wouldn’t like it.Hannah kissed him back, putting everything she could into it.Her arms twined around his neck, pulling him closer.His hands rested on her hips, and he pushed his body against hers, the outline of his erection pressing against her belly.A thrill coursed through her at the sensation.She gently took his lower lip between her teeth and sucked at the tender flesh in a pale imitation of what she’d done to him the night before.His breath stuttered and muscles seized under her touch for half a second, as if he couldn’t decide what to do next.Hannah paused in anticipation, waiting for him to make the next move.
He surprised her when he picked her up, sweeping her off the ground as easily as a feather.Her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, so she was at eye level with him.He looked astonished, eyes wide, but she couldn’t tell if it was directed at himself or her.The astonishment gave way to desire, his lips parting a little, as if trying to decide what to do or say next.Hannah lightly kissed him, which he eagerly returned, his tongue demanding entrance to her mouth.She was only too happy to give it.
“What happens next?”she asked against his lips.“What do you want?”
“You brought me here for a reason,” he said roughly.
She smiled.“Of course, I had an ulterior motive.”
“It’s private, it’s quiet.”He looked away at the water for a moment, indecision warring on his face.“How deep is the water?”
“Less than two meters at the deepest point.”She lightly nipped at the pulse point under his ear.
He sucked in a harsh breath and tightened his hold on her ass.“Let’s get in.”
Hannah didn’t need any more encouragement.As soon as he released her, she bolted for the pool, shedding clothes as she did so.She walked into the water, its temperature warmer than she remembered.Maybe it was because she’d gone so long without hot water.
Rhys followed, his eyes never leaving her as she half-paddled through the water.She dunked her head underneath the surface.When she came back up a second later, the desire in his expression had been replaced by concern.She remembered his fear of water.“It’s okay,” she said.“I can swim and the water isn’t deep, anyway.”Her feet found the sandy bottom, and she stood up, water gently lapping at her breasts.“See?”
That was all the encouragement he needed.Rhys stripped off his clothes faster than she thought possible.He was already hard, a sight she hadn’t forgotten from the night before.She could hardly wait to feel his skin against hers again.A smile of anticipation spread across her face.“What is it?”he asked.
“I’m just thinking that you can get out of a skintight spacesuit a hell of a lot faster than I thought you could.”
He strode along the tiny strip of beach and gingerly stepped into the water.He visibly relaxed as its temperature registered, and he took a few experimental steps across the pebbled bottom.“I have a lot of incentive.”
Both of them remained rooted to the spot, the only sound the gentle fall of water.Finally, Rhys reached for her wet braid, winding it around his fingers.He let it go and pulled her in for a kiss.It was eager, more confident than she expected after his confession behind the waterfall.
