Becca allowed Ethan to push her onto the bed. She sank into the clean sheets, closing her eyes to fully appreciate Ethan rubbing her feet dry with slow, firm strokes. Methodically, he worked the towel underneath each toe and around her heels. The combination of textured cotton and the warm smoothness of his palms was intoxicating.

When she opened her eyes and propped herself up on her elbows he’d progressed to her calves, his strong fingers pressing the fabric into the tender flesh behind her knees. Loving concentration illuminated his features as he worked, kneading heat and oxygen back into her circulation. An involuntary sigh escaped her as warmth bloomed throughout her body, ignited by his touch. Becca had never been one for taking time for herself, but his caress was bliss. He picked up socks from her pile of clothes. He rolled on one and then the other, smoothing the fabric snug while he supported the arch of her foot. Delicious prickles skittered up the muscles of her legs, soothing the rigid muscles of her pelvis.

His attention rose higher. He bent and kissed her knees before he grasped each one with a warm palm and slowly pressed her legs apart. He edged forward, wedging himself against her sensitive skin, forcing her inner thighs outward. She was open to him now, completely vulnerable, only the towel protecting her modesty as he dried her thighs in a slow massage until every inch of her skin ached to be stroked next. A low moan of pleasure escaped her and he glanced up, smiling as he observed her reaction. She closed her eyes, her focus narrowed on his hands and the whisk of toweling working her skin with teasing friction. His fingertips grazed the tops of her thighs.

“So soft,” he murmured, pushing the towel aside and tracing the edge of dark curls between her legs, a low rumble rising from deep in his chest. Her hips curved involuntarily, eager for more. Ethan chuckled. “Feeling better?” He picked up a scrap of lace. “Scientific underwear?”

Heat flushed her cheeks as he bent and slipped her feet into her panties. His fingers hooked in the fabric, he dragged them slowly up her legs, his breathing now audibly ragged. At last, he lifted her hips, smoothing the fabric against the juncture of her thighs.

He paused. “You okay?”

She nodded, deprived of the power of speech. Between her thighs was liquid heat, wanting more, so much more. When she looked at Ethan, his pupils were dilated, dark with hunger. He took the towel and swept it across her belly, catching the skin in an exquisite drag that pulled at the slick folds between her legs but it was the closeness of his face, his breath warm on her neck, his masculine scent wrapping around the most primitive parts of her brain that was her undoing. Her mouth went lax as his presence derailed her conscious thoughts and molten desire ignited deep in her belly and spread up her back, warming her from the inside out as she surrendered to him.

Ethan retreated, wrapping the blanket around her legs to keep them warm now that they were dry. Slowly, he patted the towel along her upper arms then her forearms and finally her hands. As he lifted and twisted each finger dry, Becca arched her pelvis and shifted against the bed, but the pressure of the sheets did little to alleviate her throbbing need for him.

“Stand up.” Lust made his voice rasp.

Becca straightened, unable to look away from the metallic glint in his eyes. The mess of the past was behind them; all she saw was blazing hunger. For her. Now. Her knees trembled as he turned her till she was facing away from him. He picked up a white tank from the pile on the bed and tugged it over her head. Her arms through, he shifted her damp hair over her shoulder and gently smoothed the back of her neck dry. Her skin glowed with heat and her nipples tightened, her breath coming faster as his touch triggered a pull of pleasure deep within her core.

God, he feels so good. “Ethan…”

“Shh.” He pressed strong fingers to her mouth.

Becca darted her tongue against firm callouses. He tasted of salt and of Ethan.

His presence surrounded her as he covered her back with his body. Becca surrendered as he slid his hands under her tank and cupped her breasts, the rough skin of his thumb grazing her nipple, while with his other hand he delved lower, slipping under silk and grazing her clit. She gasped, faltering but his arms gripped her, holding her upright while he pressed one, then another finger inside her.

Fuck.

His body pushed hard against hers, his cock prodding her ass. He groaned, his thick fingers pushing deep inside her, derailing everything but him. His mouth was at her ear, teasing the delicate skin from her ear to her neck, blocking out the habitat, the dry, recycled air, the danger they still had to work through.

It all faded.

There was only Ethan and his hands working her body, his fingers slick with her wetness circling the erect bud of her clit, driving her higher and higher. He was relentless, pausing briefly for her to catch her breath, only to start again, his touch firm and controlling, pleasuring her in the ways he knew she liked.

Becca snuck one hand around his neck bracing herself, while her other gripped his thigh. She couldn’t take much more as a sensation flamed through her. Small animal noises escaped her as he skimmed her clit with unrelenting pressure. His breath hot in her ear as he scraped her neck with his teeth. “Come for me, Becca.”

Another powerful stroke and there was nothing she could do but comply with his demand. Everything splintered around her in a maelstrom of white heat as pleasure engulfed her, detonating in her core and flying through her limbs, making every muscle in her body clench. Unwavering, Ethan held her, his arms wrapped around her waist, supporting her as the last tremors rocked her body.

“I love you,” he muttered in her ear.

Becca pushed back into him, soaking him up, his strong arms, the jab of his rock-hard erection against her. She reached back and palmed him, her hand flattening against the heat of his cock.

He pulled back from her and growled, spun her in his arms. “Not now. This…this was unexpected.” He grinned wolfishly and licked his lips. Strong fingers grasped her jaw, caught her damp hair at the back of her neck. “When we do—and, mark my words, we will—it’s going to be in a bed, sunshine, warmth. I want to take my time. Enjoy every last inch of you.”

His gaze held her, and her belly seized with anticipation.

“I’ve missed too much, Becca. We’ve missed too much. I want to appreciate every second of you.” He leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. “God, I’d forgotten how damn good you taste.”

Becca rested her head against his chest, inhaling his scent, gripping the edges of his shirt, wanting him inside her, to remember him again. But there was still so much to do…and for the first time in years, something to look forward to as well.

“Ethan, we need to go.”

He released her with a brief kiss to her forehead. “Let’s do this.”