Page 75 of Lethal Pursuit

The sudden question threw her and it took her a moment to mentally recall her schedule. Next week she had more therapy sessions scheduled, and she’d planned on getting her resume ready for submission. Nothing she couldn’t push back until later if it meant spending more time with him. “Nothing. Why?”

“I made you a promise. I still want to take you to Kauai.”

She closed her eyes, the memory of that conversation while in their cages not nearly so sharp and painful anymore. “I’d love to go there with you.” She swallowed the lump in her throat and searched for something light to say. “I’d even put out while we’re there.”

He laughed against her hair. “I’m relieved to hear that. Know what else?”

She shook her head, tilting it back to see him better.

“I love you too.”

Though she’d already known that, for some reason hearing the words out loud made them more real. Irrefutable. Despite herself, a pleased flush crept up her neck and into her cheeks. She hid her face against his chest. “I already promised to put out,” she teased.

“I know. But I’ve been waiting a long time for you to be ready to hear me say that to you.”

Maya kissed his naked skin, running her hand over the taut plane of his abdomen. What had she ever done to deserve a man like him? “I don’t...I’m not sure how this is supposed to go. I’ve never done this before.” She was so afraid of screwing it up.

“Me neither, darlin’. But don’t worry, we’ll figure it out together.”

Knowing he would be there for her filled her heart so full she was afraid it might burst. And she felt ready to open herself up to him even more. Because there was something else she’d never done that she was suddenly desperate to.

She rolled over to lie atop him, her breasts pressed against the hot skin of his chest, bracing her weight on her forearms so she could see his face. He reached up to sweep a lock of hair back from her cheek, and the gesture made her throat wobble. “I love you. So much,” she whispered.

His tender smile bolstered her courage. “I know you do. But I’ll never get tired of hearing you say so.”

Good, but she had to get this out while she still had the courage. “I’d like to...show you.” God, why was it so hard to say what she wanted?

But somehow he understood.

The hand on her face stilled, his expression turning serious as he realized she was asking for the chance to make love to him, take away the regret she’d felt from her first time with him. His eyes heated, and she realized he was already hardening against her abdomen. “Baby, you never have to ask permission for that.” His voice was a sensual purr, the vibrations of it echoing in the pulsing flesh between her thighs.

Her heart leaped in relief. “So that’s a yes?”

His strong, capable hands slid into her hair as he shook his head. “That’s ahellyes.” Jackson lifted his head and drew her down into a deep kiss.

TWENTY-FIVE

THE WARM WATERwas a clear, crystal blue as Jackson swam toward the surface in a rush of bubbles. Just a few strokes above him, Maya surfaced first. She was treading water, wearing a huge grin when he joined her above the waterline. She took the regulator out of her mouth and pulled off her goggles. Her dark brown hair was slicked back, and the sheer joy shining in her eyes filled him with happiness.

He cocked his head. “Well? How was that for a first dive?” He already knew the answer because he’d seen her reaction the moment she’d dropped over the side of the boat into the water.

“It wasamazing.” She laughed, the sound brimming with joy. “Everything I ever hoped it would be and more.”

He smiled. “You’re a natural.” From the very first time he’d introduced her to scuba in their hotel pool, Maya had taken to it easily, without any fear. They’d practiced buddy breathing and other important things over the past four days in preparation for this dive. Seeing her underwater earlier, delighted by everything she saw, was beautiful to watch. This was exactly what both of them had needed—a stress-free vacation in paradise to help put everything that had happened in Afghanistan behind them. Every day he could see her getting stronger, the lingering signs of trauma lessening.

“You look hot in that wet suit, by the way,” Maya told him with a naughty grin.

He quirked a brow. “Yeah? Wanna peel it off me once we get back on the boat?” Just the thought of it made him hard.

“I do. Wanna race?” Before he could answer, she turned away and began swimming for the catamaran bobbing behind them in the gentle ocean swells. He caught up with her within a few strokes and together they swam side by side to the boat. After taking care of their equipment and getting out of their wet suits, they relaxed onthe deck with a beer with the other passengers until the sun began to go down.

While the faint beat of reggae music floated up from the cabin, Jackson led Maya around to the front and sat with his back against the window just aft of the trampoline centered between the two pontoons. He pulled her down to sit between his upraised knees, wrapping his arms around her to hold her close. She laid her head back against his shoulder and snuggled into him, enjoying the view. They were only a couple of miles offshore. The Kauai shoreline was studded with coconut palms and volcanic rock formations that the waves crashed and exploded against in bursts of white foam. A salty scent tinged the air, made stronger with Maya’s sea-damp hair wetting the shoulder of his T-shirt.

“You were right,” she said after a while. “It’s paradise here.”

It was, and he’d loved showing her the island. Every morning they’d gone for an early run on the beach. Except today, when Jackson had woken her with soft kisses up her legs until she’d begged and he’d concentrated on the soft, secret flesh between them. He’d teased her for a long time with his tongue, then made her come twice before letting himself find release inside her warmth. Afterward they’d fallen back to sleep, sated and tangled around each other.

Bending his head to kiss the sensitive skin beneath her ear and earning a smile, he saw the look on her face and his heart swelled impossibly full. Her expression was one of complete serenity. She was happy, totally at peace with him here. Their first night she’d had a bad dream and he’d been right there to hold her. They’d stayed up for a few hours after that, lying together in the darkness talking about what they’d been through. That shared experience made a huge difference. He knew they both had a long way to go before they’d dealt with everything, but at least they were moving forward, rather than getting stuck on the past.

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