Garrick rested with his face buried against Anna’s neck. His arms were wrapped around her waist her to keep her from falling, hot water was still drumming on his shoulders. For the first time since forever, he was possessed by something other than indifference. This woman had woken something in him that had lain dormant his entire life. Desire, lust, and something else, a need to protect and care for her, flooded his body in a torrent of emotion and desire.

He nipped her shoulder and straightened, pulling her with him. She blinked, smiling up at him, her expression languorous and sated. Her breasts brushed against the inside of his wrists, heavy and full. His mouth found hers again, tasting and claiming the hot, stroking velvet of her tongue. He pulled away, breathless, then smoothed the hair from her forehead and planted a kiss.

“I’ve not finished with you yet.”

Her eyes met his; her pupils dilated with desire. Her lips parted slightly, a smile playing on them. “Promises.”

He reached over and turned off the shower then pulled the towel she’d hung on the tap across her shoulders. He drew the cotton snug against her arms, rubbing them dry before catching her hair loosely in the towel.

“I can manage.”

“I’m sure you can, but humour me.”

With the worst of the water absorbed from her hair, he rubbed the towel down across her breasts, allowing the rough fabric to catch against her nipples. She hissed, her fingers digging into the muscles of his arm under his teasing ministrations.

He liked this. The smart scientist completely undone and vulnerable to his every touch. His erection was almost painful in anticipation of more to come.

He bent without warning and scooped her up in his arms wrapped in the towel. Water splashed on his legs as he carried her out the shower and into the adjoining staff room where he’d laid the blankets.

He placed her gently down then unbuckled his belt and dropped it to the floor, his eyes never leaving hers. She let the towel drop, then sat back, propping herself up on her arms.

Lust was a taut blow to his gut as he unlaced his boots, shucked them off, and kicked them away. His cargo trousers followed, flung to the floor along with his boxers. Dropping to his hands and knees, he covered her with his body, his chest low, barely grazing her skin. Electricity skated through every nerve, testing his self-control.

Anna cupped his cock in her hands, making him catch his breath. Her fingers circled the head of his erection, teasing across the sensitive tip already slick with arousal. She parted her legs beneath him, the tip of her tongue tracing across her lips.

“I want you inside me.”

Garrick paused. He reached out and pulled a salvaged condom from his trouser pocket. Her brow furrowed; her wet lips parted.

“Am I that easy to read?”

He shook his head and grinned. “Not at all.” He pressed his mouth to her, loving the taste of her. Would he ever have his fill of this woman?

Her hand caressed his face, nails scraping against the shadow on his cheeks. Her eyes blazed for him; her breath teased the nerve endings under his skin.

“Don’t make me beg then,” she said causing his muscles to strain under her hands. As she spoke, she brought his face next to hers. “I want you inside me now.” Her lashes brushed against his cheek, her eyes glazed with arousal.

He didn't need any further encouragement.

He pushed her thighs further apart, the head of his cock nudging her velvet folds, savouring the sensation of her delicate softness. The tension in his lower back was exquisite, his balls drawn up tight. He wanted to thrust into her, filling her with the passion that razed through him. He slid against her hot flesh, heard her take a sharp breath. She bit her lower lip as he buried himself to the hilt, her eyes slammed shut.

God.

She clenched him to her, sheathing his cock with her lithe body. He pulled back almost completely, gritting his teeth at the intense jolts of pleasure exploding down his spine. She peered up at him through heavy lashes. Her breasts rose and fell rapidly, rose-pink nipples grazing against the solid wall of his chest.

He groaned against the satin of her neck as emotion and sensation collided in his brain, one after the other.

“So fucking perfect,” he muttered in the shell of her ear, easing himself back into her, inch by inch. His entire body trembled with unspent raw energy as he pressed deep within her with exquisite tenderness.

She sensed his restraint and took his face in her hand, turned his eyes to hers.

“You won’t hurt me. I want this too.” Her eyes were wide, urging him on.

It was what he wanted and needed to hear. His control snapped, and his muscles contracted as he slammed into her, overwhelmed by the urge to mark and devour every inch of her. She gasped, wantonly wrapping her legs around him, clasping him to her.

Animal rhythm overtook him, unbridled and unleashed. He thrust inside her, hooking his hands under the small of her back to keep her snug against his pelvis. Pure pleasure built and coiled low within his body.

Anna ground her hips back to meet him, moans of pleasure escaping her lips. She embraced him with her arms, her legs, all of her. Her body clenched his cock deep within.

He gave a low primal growl, nipping at her neck, drawing the flesh between his teeth. She cried out and stiffened under him, arching her body up from the rough blanket. The sound of her cries rocked him to the core, and he couldn’t hold back any longer. He buried his face in her hair, calling her name repeatedly as he emptied himself into her.

He collapsed against her, his heavy frame covering hers, his fingers twisting in her hair, keeping her close.

Mine, Anna. All mine.

Small sounds of exhaustion and completion filled his ears as she relaxed under his weight. Soft hands trailed through his hair, cradling the back of his head. Her scent filled his mind, obliterating everything else, allowing peace and relaxation to flow to every corner of his being.

Finally, in Anna’s arms, his demons slept.