Temptation Ridge (Virgin River #6)(74)

“You’re going to make a flood!” she said with a laugh.

“This tub isn’t quite big enough,” he complained, sitting to face her, the faucet jabbing him in the back. He pushed his long legs past her hips, lifted her legs to drape them over his thighs and pulled her toward him, into his arms.

“You’re acting crazy,” she said, laughing.

“I’m impatient,” he said, his lips on her neck. “I can hardly get through the day, waiting for you.”

“I’m not quite freshened up yet,” she said.

“I’ll help with that,” he said, picking up the soap. He ran the soap smoothly over her shoulders, down her back, over her breasts, under her arms, bringing low, delighted hums from her when he lathered her up. Then he took the face cloth and gently rinsed her. “I want to tell you something.”

“Another one of those talks? More conditions?”

“No. I visited a clinic in Eureka. Right after our first night together. I had a screening for STDs. To be sure, though I was already pretty sure. I wanted you to know that despite my shady past, I’m okay. You’re not in any danger that I’ll pass anything to you.”

“Aw,” she said, pulling him closer, chest to chest. “That was thoughtful.”

“No one’s ever been inside you before me,” he said. “I want to keep you completely safe.”

“I appreciate that.”

“I got the results just in time. I don’t have a condom in this tub,” he said. “But there’s that other matter…”

“I’m on the pill. I took care of that.”

“You didn’t tell me,” he said.

“Sorry. I didn’t think about your concerns—I was handling mine.”

“Good news to me,” he said. Then, after leaning in for a deep kiss, he said, “I meant to tell you another thing—your uncle visited me.”

“He did? He shouldn’t have done that. What did he say?”

“That he knew where you’ve been every night. And that he didn’t much like the fact that you weren’t able to ride.”

“Oh God,” she moaned.

“It was by far one of the worst moments of my life.”

“I’m sorry, Luke. I’ll talk to him—”

“No, don’t. We worked it out.”

“How?”

“Well,” he said, pulling her close him and gently rocking her against him. “I refused to explain, he threatened me with dire consequences if I abused you or treated you cruelly, I tried to reassure him that I can be civilized if I concentrate, and in the end, we actually shook hands.”

“God,” she said. “Luke, Uncle Walt and I already had our standoff about this. He told me to be careful of you and I told him he wasn’t going to bully me out of whatever relationship I chose. He promised to behave himself.”

“You stood up to him?” Luke asked, smiling. “You defended me?”

“Does that surprise you? That I can stand up for myself? Really, does everyone think I’m a spineless little twit?”

“Nah, you’re just too sweet. And Walt wanted to be sure you’re safe with me.”

“Did you tell him the truth? That I’m not? That you’re dangerous and wicked and a real shark with women?” she asked playfully, tugging at his lower lip with her teeth.

“No one has to know, do they?” he asked her. “That I was the first one to—”

She leaned back, looking at him. “Why? Do you want it to be a secret?”

“I’d like it if that belonged to us. You and me. Private. Personal. It’s so damn special.” He grinned. “I’ve never had an experience like this in my life,” he said. “And I’ve had a ton of experience.”

“And I’ve never had any,” she said.

“But I’ve never been with anyone like you,” he told her. “You’re amazing. You drive me crazy. You’ve got me playing house, for Christ’s sake. I don’t do things like this.”

“See? I tried to warn you. Maybe I should have given you the talk.”

“Yeah, I never saw that coming,” he said. “Your uncle also wanted to know what plans I had with you. I told him that was for me to talk with you about.”

“Luke, you shouldn’t lie…”

“I didn’t. Right now I plan to make love to you till you beg me to stop.”

“Aw. Well, that’s today. You’ll probably be tired of me in two weeks. Remember, you don’t stay involved for long.”

He ran a hand down her chest, over a breast, down to place a palm over her soft mound. “How are you down here?”

“Fine. Good.”

“Not sore? We getting you healed up?”

“You’ve been very considerate. I didn’t know I could function on so little sleep, but I happen to like it.” She laughed. “More than I thought I would. I never thought I’d be back every day. I guess I’m being a real pig about it.”

“Go ahead. Be a pig about it. I can take it.” He rubbed her gently. “You’re opening up. Blossoming.”

“Mmm.”

He lifted her and brought her neatly onto his lap, slipping inside without difficulty. “God,” he whispered. “Sweet heaven.” Then with his mouth drawing on her nipple, his finger massaging her and his hips gently pumping, he loved her deeply and smoothly. She held his head against her breast and rocked with him, making all the wonderful little noises he’d grown to love. In a few short and breathless minutes, she had risen to that pinnacle of pleasure that caused her insides to tighten and pulse. She pulled his head harder against her and he pushed more deeply inside, letting himself go in a blast of heat that blinded him for a moment. He clung to her, panting. Recovering. Wanting the moment never to end.