Page 24 of Speak No Evil

He divided the last of the wine between their glasses and tossed the empty bottle. “Everyone’s allowed a little down time from being tough.”

She sank down onto the stool, glad to have a change in the topic. “You sound like you speak from experience, but I don’t believe that.” He came across as interested and focused. Was that because she’d been in what could have been a dicey situation? And he needed to step in and help?

“Eventually. Back at base.” Will finished his wine and braced his hands on the countertop.

“Could have fooled me.” They shared a smile, and in the moment of stillness that descended, she reached over and touched the back of his hand. “Will…”

He turned his hand and linked his fingers with hers. “Hmm?” he said in a rough, sexy voice.

That little flutter inside settled down to stay. She looked up into his smoldering gaze. Before she could overthink this, she went around to his side, cupped his face, and brought his mouth down to hers—where he belonged.

And had forever. She was certain.

He broke the contact and lifted his head to stare down at her.

Why was he stopping? She clasped her hands behind his neck, sinking her fingers into the soft hair at his nape, and kissed him again. He drew her even closer, aligning their bodies. Everything about him, the strength in his arms, the scent of his body, intoxicated her.

She seemed to be falling into a dream. The world vanished, all those external trappings burned away in the heat of his kiss. She lost herself in sensation as he took the kiss deeper. When he finally broke the contact, they were both breathless.

He tucked her into his shoulder and leaned his cheek against her hair. “Wow.”

She had to wait for her heart to stop pounding before she said, “I wasn’t expecting that.”

He stilled.

Uh-oh. Had that been the wrong thing to say? No, she wouldn’t second guess. She would go for what she wanted.

One corner of his mouth rose. “You had preconceived notions of how a naval engineer would kiss?”

She smiled back. “Not exactly. Certainly not before I ran into your office this afternoon, unforgivably late.”

“I’ll take late any time if it means…” He broke off what he was saying and led her into the living room.

“Means what?” She was about to sink onto the sofa when he scooped her up and sank down with her in his lap.

He pressed his forehead to hers. “Meeting someone like you.”

“You are sweet.” And so hot you’re driving me crazy. She rubbed her hand up one strong arm.

“I can be dangerous, too.”

“Like how?” she teased and unbuttoned his shirt.

He cupped her face and took her mouth. He swept his tongue over the seam of her lips and dove deeper. When they finally came up for air, they stared at one another. “You know I want you, but we can take things slow. If that’s what you want, we don’t need to rush.”

Oh, but they did. “I don’t want to wait.”

He’d already rolled his sleeves to his elbows earlier, and now he made fast work of completely stripping off the shirt. Swirls of auburn hair covered his pecs.

She traced the pattern until he caught her hand. Undeterred, she moved on, pressing kisses along his shoulder blade. He bent his head, and kissed behind her ear before trailing kisses down her neck. “Hmm. If we’re going to get serious, we?—”

“We are.”

He ran his hands over her breasts and around to the back of her athletic top, cocking an eyebrow. She laughed. “My top comes off over my head.”

She reached for the hem, intent on pulling it up, but he stopped her. “Let me.”

His fingers brushed against her skin, and she shivered deliciously. He inched her top higher, a hand on either side of her ribs, and her nipples beaded before he pulled the top free. Bending his head, he dove in close to take her breast. His beard brushed against her sensitive skin, setting tingles running wild.

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