Secret Obsession (Carder Texas Connections #6)(46)

His body leaped in response. Her skin still damp and warm, the smooth silkiness beckoned him. He couldn’t wait. Noah lifted her into his arms and strode over to the bed, throwing down the spread and laying her gently on the sheets. Quickly, he stripped off his clothes and settled his hard, urgent body on top of her.

With emotions quivering at the surface, Noah lowered his head to her breast and tasted her curves, his hands exploring every inch of skin.

Lyssa arched against him, her hands tugging his head closer, massaging his scalp and moving down to his shoulders. With a low groan, he teased her nipple, the taut bud responding beautifully to his caress. With a small nip, a low moan escaped from her.

“More,” she breathed against him.

He eased down her body, his desire flaring out of control. He scraped his teeth across her belly and eased her legs apart. She didn’t resist. With a low growl he tasted her, relishing her response to him.

The reality of Lyssa in his arms was better than any fantasy or dream.

“Please,” her voice shook. She tugged him back up then hooked her heels around his hips, arching against him, begging for his possession.

Slowly, tenderly, he entered her, using every ounce of willpower not to slam into her and lose himself. He stilled, watching her hooded lids blink, her lips part, her back arch.

“More,” she ordered.

That one word eradicated his control. Passion took over, taking them on a ride where the world vanished. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and buried her face into his shoulder, meeting him thrust for thrust, touch for touch.

The friction erupted into flames, engulfing them, taking them higher and higher until the world exploded between them.

Noah collapsed on top of Lyssa, his body spent, his breathing unsteady. Her heart raced and she stroked his hair as they came down to earth.

He could barely move, she felt so good beneath him, but he would crush her. He shifted his weight off her and she groaned.

“Did I hurt you?” he asked, pushing strands of damp hair away from her face.

She shook her head and moved, rolling him onto his back, setting her body over his.

Oh, yeah, this was much better.

He searched her face for a hint of regret. He might have been dreaming of this for years, but it had happened fast. He couldn’t be sorry, but...

“Oh no you don’t,” Lyssa said, leaning over him, pressing her naked breasts against his chest, grinding her hips against his. “I can see those analytical gears grinding. Don’t think for a minute I didn’t want this as much as you did.”

“You’re too perceptive for your own good,” Noah muttered, but still he looked away.

She caught his chin in her fingertips and forced him to meet her gaze. “What are you thinking?”

Should he tell her the truth, what he truly feared? He caressed the silkiness of her hair and hugged her closer, partly so he didn’t have to look into her eyes.

He rested his chin on the top of her hair, letting himself believe for a few moments that she belonged in his arms for always.

“Can I tell you later?” he asked quietly.

“I won’t wait forever,” she said softly, pushing up so she could see his face. “Let me start. I didn’t do this because I feel guilty, even though I do. I didn’t make love with you to take your mind off your troubles. And last—” she leaned closer, nipping at his ear “—I know you’re not Jack.”

Noah stiffened beneath her. She’d touched on the real problem. It had been a long time since she’d thought of Noah as anything like Jack. She’d loved Jack, loved him deeply. She’d never forget him, but her heart stuttered when Noah spoke. It had almost killed her when she realized Archimedes had hurt his family. She would have felt guilt, no matter what, but it was as if Noah’s pain had crept into her soul.

She still couldn’t believe he hadn’t just pushed her aside.

He brought his hands to her arms and she knew he was about to move her away. She gripped his waist between her legs, bracing her hands against his chest.

“Are you trying to trap me?” he asked, raising a brow.

“I’m not letting you get away until you believe me.”

“We’ve been together nonstop for days. The situation is intense,” Noah added. “It’s natural we would turn to each other, lean on each other.”

“Don’t even say it,” Lyssa whispered.

“Why now?” Noah asked.

“Because for the first time since this started, you needed me,” she said simply.

Noah’s phone buzzed on the bedside table. Lyssa groaned and reached across him to pick it up. She handed him the phone.

“Bradford.”

“You know those feet we found?” Zane said, his voice loud enough for her to hear. “I have the body. And there’s something you need to see.”

*

THE UNITED NATIONS building loomed closer, flashing lights of emergency vehicles blocking the street. The cab slowed to a stop. Lyssa stepped out of the vehicle. He hadn’t wanted to risk Archimedes identifying their car. They’d left it in a parking garage on the edge of the city.

Noah paid the driver and stepped onto the street, shrugging into Rafe’s persona even deeper. Yes, he wore the eye patch and beard, but even the way he stood and walked reminded her of the former Green Beret. Dangerous.