When Day Breaks

They floated gently down the Seine, soft music playing as accompaniment to the shimmering water and the twinkling lights of the city.

His enjoyment, however, wasn’t the scenery or how beautiful the city might be at night. He was riveted to Eden, his attention focused solely on her, absorbing every smile, every expression of delight. And he found himself more lost under her spell than ever.

She was so beautiful to look at that it hurt sometimes. Like looking directly into the sun. And she was his. Later he’d take her back to their hotel room and he’d make love to her as tenderly as he’d ever made love to a woman. Eden deserved the best. Special treatment. Because she was a special woman, indeed. A breed apart from any other woman Swanny had ever met.

Their dinner entrées were delivered and Swanny was happy to see that Eden had actually ordered real food. He doubted she’d eat all of it, but at least she’d enjoy some of the succulent feast before her.

His own steak looked cooked to perfection. Seared on the outside, providing a delicious crust, and when he cut into it, the meat was just the right shade of pink. Not quite raw, but not too well done either.

Edge had ordered a steak as well, while Skylar chose the seafood platter with a variety of succulent selections.

They ate in companionable silence, occasionally commenting on a sight that passed. But Swanny’s attention was solidly fixed on Eden and savoring her enjoyment of the evening out. His chest puffed out a bit, first at the knowledge that he’d been the only man she’d ever chosen to take this trip with, despite her many visits to the city, and second that he was the one to give her this experience she wanted so much.

She’d asked him. No one else. She’d waited for him.

At one point, Eden shivered delicately, the breeze picking up and blowing off the water. Not even giving it a thought, Swanny scooted closer to her, pushing their chairs until they were bumping. Then he leaned over and pulled Eden into his arms to provide her warmth.

She let out a contented sigh and snuggled into Swanny’s arms, melting bonelessly into his embrace.

“This has been the most perfect evening ever, Swanny. Thank you for doing this for me,” Eden said sweetly.

Didn’t the woman know he’d get her the damn moon if that was what she wanted?

For the rest of the dinner cruise, they sat, Eden swallowed up by Swanny’s arms, conversing between the four of them as if indeed they were simply two couples enjoying a romantic evening.

Swanny owed Edge and Skylar a huge thank-you later. This was certainly out of the line of duty for them, and the last thing he wanted was to cause discomfort between the two since they roomed together.

When they reached the end and docked, Swanny waited, wanting the other passengers to disembark before he, Skylar and Edge flanked Eden to take her to the waiting car.

As before, Skylar rode on Eden’s other side, with Eden in the middle, while Edge rode up front. Eden curled into Swanny’s side, seemingly uncaring of what anyone thought of their relationship.

He knew his teammates likely thought he’d lost his mind. He was always the most reserved, the quiet, observant one. It wasn’t like him to take a personal stake in any mission, or at least that was the appearance he gave. In fact, every mission they went on, Swanny felt deeply. Like Donovan, he had a special place in his heart for children. Donovan’s new family had quickly wormed their way into Swanny’s heart, especially the youngest, Cammie.

He would have done anything in the world to protect that little girl.

Eden nestled her head against Swanny’s shoulder, seemingly content to just sit in silence as they headed back to the hotel and what Swanny knew—anticipated—was waiting. He just hoped Eden was still on the same wavelength as him, as she’d hinted earlier.

When they got to the hotel, Swanny quickly did a sweep of Eden’s suite while Edge and Sky waited with her in the hallway. Once he cleared the interior he sent Edge and Sky on to their room and told Eden to go ahead and get ready for bed. He made a quick call to check in with Nathan and Joe to let them know all had gone well tonight, as well as to go over the plans for the following day and to discuss the upcoming soiree and the best way to handle security for Eden.

Once his conversation was completed, he headed to Eden’s bedroom, anticipation beating a strong pulse in his throat. He found her nude, lying in bed as though she’d been waiting for him.

“You’ve got some catching up to do,” she teased. “I’m already three steps ahead of you. I’ve showered and undressed and am in bed waiting for my man to come satisfy me.”

Swanny let out a low growl, tempering the urge to strip down where he was and immediately get into bed with her and spread those silken thighs. But he made himself go into the bathroom and take the world’s quickest shower. He came out moments later, still toweling the moisture from his hair, but he, like Eden, was wearing absolutely nothing and his dick was straining upward, hard, the head nearly purple with the blood rushing to his groin.

“Mmm, I’m guessing you won’t need any seductive wiles tonight,” she said, soft laughter in her voice.

“Just looking at you is seduction all in itself,” he rasped out. “But honey, I need to make certain you’re ready for this. We made love last night and I don’t want you to be so tender that I hurt you tonight.”

She smiled and pushed the covers down farther so more of her body was bared.

“The only ache I have will only be assuaged if you make love to me,” she whispered. “You won’t hurt me, Swanny. I trust you. You were wonderful last night. Taking it so slow and being so tender. I’ll never forget my first time, thanks to you. It couldn’t have been more perfect.”