Page 24 of Twins for the Secret Prince
“So today must be a killer.”
“Well, jumping in the river helped. Freezing cold water is a good numbing agent, as it turns out.”
“But then having to haul an ignorant knucklehead out of the water probably didn’t help so much.”
“No, but at least the knuckleheadknowshe’s a knucklehead.”
“He really does.”
“Let’s get some sleep now. Good night, knucklehead.”
“Good night, Eva. Sweet dreams.”
“I’d say the same, but I don’t want you dreaming about anything you shouldn’t be. Keep your dreams… sanitary.”
Eva felt his body shudder with laughter they were so close together. “Sanitary? I’m not sure what you’ve been doing, but it doesn’t sound like you were doing it right.”
“Oh, I was doing it right. You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Great. Now that’s all I’m going to be able to think about. That and hoping we’re not lying here like helpless wolf bait.”
Eva tried her best not to laugh, but suppressing it only made her body shake and convulse more, and after a minute, she was laughing so hard tears were streaming down her face.
“Was it wolf bait?” Pete asked. “I knew that wasn’t a very romantic image the second I said it.”
Eva couldn’t answer. She wiped at the tears on her cheeks as her stomach tensed with laughter. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so hard. It was a wonderful, freeing sensation, like the first few sips of champagne.
“I guess at least if we can’t fraternize together, we can laugh together,” Pete said. Eva felt the low rumble of his voice against her back and knew he must have moved closer to her.
“Pete, are you smelling my hair?”
“Yes, and I’m happy to report it smells like river mud combined with acrid wood smoke.”
“You really do know how to charm a woman,” Eva said, holding back her laughter.
“That’s the point. I’m actively trying to beuncharming. It’s not easy, but I’ve got to keep at it because of the co-fraternization rule.”
“Will you stop saying co-fraternization?”
“Okay. I think I’ll just stop talking now.”
“Good idea,” Eva said. She didn’t want to admit it to herself, but she liked feeling the warmth of his body against her back. With the fire warming the front of her, it was almost like she was the toasty filling inside a heat sandwich.
She didn’t realize she’d said the words aloud until Pete said, “Meat sandwich? Are you hallucinating about food?”
“Shh, go to sleep,” Eva said softly.
She was lying in that pleasant state just before sleep, where all of the rough edges of the day become blurred, and dreams edge nearer. She imagined she felt soft lips against the back of her neck as a hand rubbed up and down the side of her thigh. It moved to the front of her thigh and continued its caress there. As it moved further up her thigh, Eva drew in a sharp breath.
Suddenly she was wide awake again and aware that this was really happening. “What are you doing?” she asked sharply.
“Keeping you warm with friction. Do you want me to stop?” Pete’s voice was full of longing.
Eva’s head and heart battled each other until finally she said softly, “No.”
Pete groaned into her neck as his hands began to caress her thighs again, then her lower belly, her arms and finally, her breasts. They both moaned as he cupped them and kneaded them gently.
Eva moved her body around slightly, and their lips met. Pete’s mouth was warm against hers, kissing her deeply as he continued to caress her body. When she thought she couldn’t take any more waiting, Eva placed her hand on top of his and began to move it lower, between her legs.
