Chapter 45
Durrand’s lips were hot and firm against Eddy’s. His chest felt like sinful heaven beneath her hand, though she had no idea how her fingers had landed there. She kissed him back, because she couldn’t help herself, because life was hard and short and…dammit, she wanted to!
He pulled back, chest heaving beneath her palm, eyes staring into hers, giving her a chance to stop, to be sensible, but she didn’t want a chance.
Growling, she skimmed her fingers through his hair and dragged his lips back to hers.
After that, there was no stopping. He pushed her up against the wall. Her spine cracked against the plaster, but she didn’t care. He was all broad bone and shifting muscle. All hot and vast and…why was he still wearing those damned pants?
They were naked in a second. And then she was straddling him and he was straining and she was gasping… and holy crap!
Eventually, they lay side by side on the bed, though truth to tell she wasn’t entirely sure how they had arrived there.
“Don’t tell me,” she rasped, still trying to catch her breath, “you found a camera after all?”
He shifted his head upon the mattress. The pillows had gone Elvis long ago. “I tried my best,” he said.
“No video?”
“Not even a damn peep hole.”
“Then what was this for?” She tried to sound accusatory, but perhaps the fact that her naked chest was still pressed up against his made her irritation seem a little less believable.
“This?” he asked and slipped a slow hand down the length of her back.
She stifled a sigh and managed a nod.
He blew out a breath. “This is about losing control.”
“Ahh.”
The entire length of his body felt as hard as a living oak beneath hers.
“I don’t like losing control,” he admitted.
She watched him for a second then cleared her throat. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—” she began, but he stopped her.
“You should have,” he whispered and kissed her. “You definitely should have. Even though I’m not near…” His words slipped into silence. His eyes were dark and tortured. As deep as forever.
“Even though what?”
He drew in a long breath. “Maybe no one’s good enough for you.”
She read the nuances, felt his marrow-deep adoration, and cupped his lean face in her palm. “Maybe I’m not good enough for you.”
His chuckle was low and mirthless. “I guarantee that’s not the case.”
“I’ll never…” She winced as she slipped her thumb over the scar that nicked his chin. “I’m scared out of my mind half the time.”
“You think I’m not?”
“I think it doesn’t matter. I think you’ll do whatever has to be done to save your friend.”
“Whatever has to be done…” He winced. Lifting her hand from his face, he kissed the center of her palm and drew a slow, deep breath. “I want you to go home.”
She drew back, inadvertently pressing her hips more firmly to his. “What?”
“Santiago’s holding Shep. I feel it in my gut. We know where his property is. You’ve done your part. It’ll be safer if you leave now, let me go in alone.”
She stared at him. “Safer for whom?”
“For me! It’s much less likely that they’ll notice a lone—”
“Dad left when Grand was dying.”
“What?”
She wanted to look away, to hide her emotions, to distance herself from all the sterling qualities that shone from his soul, but she held his gaze. “Colonel Edwards. Everyone thought he was the epitome of honor. But he didn’t even have the courage to help Mom through her mother’s death. Didn’t have the loyalty to stick through the hard times.”
“I’m sorry.” His words were a quiet rasp of kindness in the darkness. His fingers curled possessively against her neck. His thumb pressed comfortingly into the hollow of her throat.
“I promised myself I’d be different.”
“You are,” he rasped. “You’re everything that’s good.”
“You don’t know me,” she whispered.
“I’m a pretty good judge of character, Edwards.” He sounded strangely affronted. She couldn’t help but smile at him.
“Are you?”
He nodded. “You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met.”
Were there tears in his eyes? Her heart felt full to bursting. “You’re the bravest.”
“I’m not,” he said and clearing his throat, carefully lightened his tone. “But I might be the most sex deprived.”
She raised her brows. “Well, let’s do something about that,” she said.
And he did.