That blew chunks!

Second: River’s desire to see Mr. Ankh’s place would have been suspicious if not so understandable. I couldn’t fault him for it.

“I can’t believe I fell asleep and missed the rest of the conversation,” I grumbled.

“I can. You’ve been running on empty for too long. You needed rest.” He caressed my cheek, my jaw...my neck. Each stroke took him lower, until he was drawing a line in the center of my chest. “But you’re awake now,” he whispered huskily. “Clearly in need of a distraction.”

Another tremor swept over me; this time, it sprang from a sweeter, hotter emotion. “You going to do something about that?”

“Definitely.” He lowered his head, pressing his lips against mine.

I opened, welcoming him, and his tongue played inside my mouth, rolling against mine, almost lazily, tasting me, adoring me. My arms wrapped around him of their own accord, drawing him more firmly against me. He maneuvered me to my back, giving me all of his weight. He was heavy, but there was something truly magnificent about having him pressed against me like this. He was my shield. I was safe from fear and regret and sorrow, pain. Nothing but pleasure could reach me here.

He lifted his head to peer into my eyes. His lips were pink and kiss-swollen.

“Don’t stop,” I implored.

His thumbs traced the rise of my cheeks. “You are so beautiful.”

When he looked at me like that, I felt it. I combed my fingers through his hair and, with the slightest bit of pressure, drew him back down. “Give me more.”

Maybe he sensed my desperation. Maybe my plea had revved him from simmer to boil. But the tone of the kiss changed in a snap, and there was no longer anything lazy about it. He thrust his tongue with determined force, demanding a response, and I gave it, holding nothing back. As if I could. My blood heated, every inch of me tingling.

He didn’t remove my shirt, just lifted it and bunched the material under my arms. Camilla hadn’t given me a bra, so I wasn’t wearing one.

He pulled from the kiss. I whimpered with disappointment. Then he lowered his head and kissed the skin he’d bared. And it was...it was...so good. Lance after lance of pleasure shot through me. He used lips, teeth and tongue, and it wasn’t long before I was writhing on top of the mattress.

“Cole,” I said on a moan. “You better...follow through....” Oh! Yes!

“Will.”

Finally!

I clutched at his shoulders. “You’ll give me everything?” Had those breathless, pleading words really come from me?

“Not everything.” His lids were heavy and hooded as his tortured gaze met mine. If he wanted me with the same fervency that I wanted him, his control was hanging on by the barest thread. “First time won’t be here. But I’ll give you more.”

More. Yes. “Do it!”

He dived in for another kiss to my lips. It was hard, and it was hot. It was a little wanton, and a lot dirty, and I loved every second of it. His hands were all over me...all over me. Everywhere I ached. He’d never touched me like this before.

As I clutched at him and mumbled incoherently, arching against him, the connection I felt to him deepened, like I wasn’t just Ali Bell anymore, but now had Property of Cole Holland stamped on my soul. Like I wasn’t alone and would never be alone again. Like even if Cole and I were on different sides of the world, a part of him would always be with me.

“Let me know when I hit the right—” he began.

I gasped, my hips shooting off the bed.

“—spot,” he finished.

My mind was utterly taken over with bliss, my thoughts burning up before they could fully form. I was laboring for breath, sweating. Everything he made me feel...it was too much...what he was doing...it was too much but not enough...and...and...the pressure was building...and building...

Then...

Something broke inside me. Not just broke, but shattered. It was wonderful, glorious, but also life-changing, as if every part of me was laid bare. I was vulnerable in a way I’d never been before. Like this, I had no secrets. No barriers. No form of protection.

Just Cole.

The sense of connection...even deeper. Propelled to a new level. One I hadn’t even known I possessed. I realized I wasn’t just trusting Cole with my life, but with my future. To treasure me and not forsake me. To always be honest. To consider my feelings and well-being with every new decision.

I was still panting, now dotted with perspiration from head to toe, but I didn’t care. I wanted to laugh. “That was amazing.”

“Yes,” Cole groaned.

Clearly, he wasn’t as happy as I was. His pupils were dilated, and tension tightened his features, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out what the problem was. He needed to feel what I had just felt. Needed to...break.

“Tell me what to do,” I said.

His pupils widened, eclipsing nearly all of the violet. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Oh, yes.

Voice rough, he offered instruction. I obeyed, adding my own spin here and there.

He gripped my hair, then the sheets. “Ali.” My name was nothing more than a luscious rasp.

Even though this round wasn’t about me, I was just as affected. Just as connected to him. Knowing that he was feeling what I had felt, that I was the one responsible, the one making him feel that way, that he might just have a Property of Ali Bell stamped on every part of him, was sweet and heady.

“Ali!”