Excerpt

Page 45

    Teal lifted herself from Darren’s chest and ran a luxurious hand across the sweaty surface. She looked down at him, her long hair swung to one side. Darren couldn’t believe what just happened. Holy shit that felt good. It had been too long. And Jennifer Griffith never left him feeling like this.

    Teal cooed and kissed his neck, making a slow, wet trip to his lips. Her kisses were so smooth, so perfect. God, he could do her all over again.

    “Are you cold? Teal, you’re shivering.”

    “Hmmm. I’m not cold. I’m dazzled. That was amazing. A two-fer.” She giggled and reached for a blanket from the arm of the couch and wrapped it around herself and snuggled back to his chest.

    Darren watched the luscious, round breasts disappear into the folds of the fleece. “I feel like I’m dreaming. I can’t believe you’re real.”

    “I’m real.” She pinched his nipple.

    “Hey!”

    Teal settled back down. “It felt like you were worshipping me. Like you wanted to please me.”

    “Who wouldn’t?” A long silence drifted around the toasty cabin as Darren felt his heart rate settle back to normal.

    “You wanna know something?” Teal’s voice sounded far, far away.

    “What?” Darren ran his fingers through her thick hair, working on a tangle here and there.

    “That’s the first time—since I can’t remember when—that I made love without the taste of blood in my mouth.”

    Darren stopped the movement of his hand and his heart skipped a beat. “What?” He continued to stroke her hair slowly.

    “I just realized that. I’m so used to running to the sink when it’s over. You’re so gentle.”

    Darren raised her up fixed his eyes on her. “Teal, most men are. Who was it that hurt you? Tell me.” He hiked the blanket close around her.

    She settled back down onto his chest.

    “Will you be honest with me?” He paused. “Are you married?”

    She sat up and looked at him. “No. I’ll never marry that animal.” She squeezed the blanket around her naked body and rose, gathering her clothes.

    “But you are on the run. Is that right?”

    Teal dropped the blanket and stood in all her glory, positioning her bra. Darren’s cock came to attention, despite the intense topic of their conversation. Wow, she was built. He got up from the couch and pulled his layers up, then walked up to hand her her undies.

    “When I got the call about Tony and this cabin, I knew it was my shot.” She pulled the sweater over her head and looked at him, flinging her hair out of the neck. “I’m not going back to Chicago.”

    She stepped into her jeans and fastened them, then stood defiantly.

    Darren reached to hold her. There was so much more he needed to know. But he was relieved to hear those words.

    Teal muffled a weak laugh into his shoulder.

    “What’s so funny?”

    She released herself from his grasp and spun in a circle. “I feel so free. You’re the first person I’ve told. I don’t know why I opened up to you.”

    “I was pretty sure you didn’t get those bruises from an air bag. And there’s a helluva lot more I’m going to need to know. But for now, are you safe?”

    “I’m safe.” She stepped back into his arms and kissed him with power and passion.

    Darren responded, feeding on her energy, consuming her kisses. Then he stopped, looking down into her eyes. “Let’s check the place out, make sure everything’s working. We should get back to my cabin before dark.” He held her face in his hands, smoldering more kisses on her willing mouth.             “Tonight.”