Page 104 of Vaquero
“Yes,” she whispered dreamily up at his stern face. “And I’d do it again.”
That was the last thing she remembered. Until the next morning when she opened her eyes in the same bed she and Julio had made love in. Better yet, his warm, rugged body was pressed intimately against her back. She wiggled her bandaged toes and fingers, so damned thankful she hadn’t had another stroke. God did work in mysterious ways.
Her head was resting on Julio’s bicep. He’d wrapped his other arm around her shoulders, palming her breast like, well, like a man. He certainly had a hand full, and she was glad she could give him that. She’d been with him long enough to know he liked—make that adored, worshipped, and revered—her breasts. Her bandaged shoulder felt tight, but not as bad as she’d expected. Of course, she had yet to move much more than fingers and toes.
“You’re awake,” he breathed into the nape of her neck.
Meg sighed. “No, I’m pretty sure I’ve died and gone to heaven. How’d I get here?”
“Captain Dooley paced you I my custody. He said you were more trouble than you’re worth.”
“Hmmm. Guess that means I don’t have armed guards anymore.”
“No, ma’am. All threats are neutralized. You’re good to go.” She lifted up to let him ease his arm out from beneath her. Once on his knees, he pressed her flat to her back. “Did I hurt you?”
“You could never,” she replied as she held out both arms to him. “Come here.”
He obliged, aligning his muscular body over hers. Whoa. This man was ready for action, and suddenly, so was she.
“You scared the hell out of me,” he said quietly, blinking down at her, his forearms alongside her head. “Back there, when you started shooting. That wasn’t the plan.”
“I didn’t know we had a plan.”
“We didn’t. Not really. But when you screamed and ran straight at Zapata, I thought you were going to strangle him with your bare hands, if he didn’t kill you first. What were you thinking?”
“That he was burning my baby.” Speaking of which… Her heart triple somersaulted up her throat. “Where’s Dominic?”
“Don’t worry. He’s with your buddies, the Lucas and Dan show.”
Meg could’ve laughed if it wouldn’t hurt her shoulder. “My buddies?”
Julio lowered his face to hers until they bumped noses. That was when she realized she had no clothes on. Neither did he. Expertly, he eased his wide, male body between her legs, and pressed a kiss to her forehead, then one to each eyelid. “Yes, your buddies. Everyone on this ship loves you, Meg. Some of them are trying to find a way to put you in for a medal of honor.”
What a silly idea. “That isn’t going to happen. I’m no hero. Heck, I’m not even military anymore.”
“I know, but you give your love away like it’s a free gift, and you went above and beyond what aid workers are supposed to do. You’ve drawn these people toward you. They love you, and they adore Dominic. He’s become quite the celebrity. You should see the toys he’s got now.”
“Loveisa free gift,” she told Julio as her hands smoothed over his too-serious face. His freshly shaven chin and cheeks. His elegant black brows, knitted so tight. She ran a fingertip down the straight blade of his nose. “It’s what makes the world go around, remember?”
And conversation stalled. Her core clenched, as he kissed his way down her body, far enough down that he had to ease back on his haunches to continue the downward trek.
What was this handsome man thinking?
Pausing over the nested curls at the apex of her thighs, Julio nuzzled where no man had ever nuzzled before. Gah! It was so damned erotic. Instinctively, she lifted her hips and arched into his mouth. Her greedy but poor bandaged fingers delved into his rich, thick hair, holding him in place as he licked and tasted. Growled and tongued until she was out of her mind and couldn’t hold still anymore.
“Julio, I… Gah, I…”
The fireworks started slowly, then rippled up her spine and out the top of her head like one of those tank killer rockets.God, oh God, oh God!With just his mouth, he’d made her fly, explode, and... lightning. He’d created lightning. In her!
So good! So, so high! This incredible man worked wonders. Long after the lightning slowed, pleasure throbbed through her twitchy, happy body. All she could do was breathe through it until her heart settled back to normal sinus rhythm.
Tears filled her eyes. Meg honestly didn’t know what she’d do without Julio in her life. He’d brought so much joy and compassion. Strength. He’d made her believe in herself again.
He looked up from his work, his mouth wet and his lips shining. And smiling. His eyes were uncommonly dark and bright. “More?” he asked, his voice as deep and humble as ever. He licked his lips, the tease.
“Yes, please,” she whispered, her body and heart on fire for this man. “Only this time, come with me?” she asked. “Please. I don’t want to fly without you, Julio. Ever again. If it’s too soon, tell me to shut up, but you know I love you. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t.”
He climbed back up her body, his shoulder blades rolling like a massive jungle cat’s, and his chest brushing over her diamond-hard, sensitized nipples. Setting the flame. Teasing as he enticed. “I do know that.”
Meg cupped the back of his head and pulled his face into her neck. She didn’t know what she’d meant by that emotional rant, only that she needed him to be—the one. Her one and only. Forever. Did she dare ask him—that?Would he say yes, or would he pull back because that particular question was a man’s prerogative, not a woman’s? Would he be offended if she beat him to it?
She’d seen his reticence when she’d caught up with him the day he’d been shot. He hadn’t wanted her to see him wounded. This was a proud Spanish male, which was partly why he gave back so much to his country. Which was also why she adored him. So much, that Meg closed her eyes and kissed the sweet spot under his ear.
Man, she loved this guy. So she held back. Julio was worth waiting for.
