Body Heat (Simply 4)

“Then, by all means, let’s do it.” She inhaled for what he guessed was courage, then took a step back and dropped her towel, letting the fluffy white cotton pool at her feet.

He took one look, and his mouth went dry. She extended her hand, and he followed her to the waiting whirlpool, letting her get in first.

She lowered herself to a sitting position, the bubbling water floating just above her tempting cleavage. When the truth was out, Jake knew what his penance would be—to remember this, remember her and all they could have shared if he hadn’t gotten her involved in something guaranteed to bring danger and anxiety into her life, the two things she couldn’t and shouldn’t ever have to handle again.

Brianne was everything his first wife hadn’t been. She was honest, open and real, about herself, her feelings and about her take on life. And in being herself, she’d helped him see his own past more clearly. That was why he intended to savor this night and leave the revelations for morning.

She extended her legs and stretched out, leaning her head back and staring at the night sky. “Good Lord, this is decadent,” she murmured.

He settled himself in beside her and let one of the pulsating jets work against his shoulder. “You haven’t begun to see decadent. But you will. I promise you that.”

“Promises, promises.”

“Do you doubt me?” he asked.

“If I say yes, will it get you to move faster?”

His body heated from inside out in a way that had nothing to do with the hot water and everything to do with Brianne. The urgency of their limited time together fueled with his burning desire combined to create a need so strong that it threatened to consume him. “Did I tell you what the beauty of this whirlpool is?”

She shook her head.

“It’s got a bench that reclines.” He followed his words with his body, moving over to her and easing her down until she rested in the molded seat, her neck and shoulders above the moving bubbles.

She let out a high-pitched laugh. “Water’s hitting me from every angle.”

He grinned. “Like it?”

She laughed once more, causing him to shake his head in dismay.

“What’s wrong?”

“I want you moaning, not giggling. You do realize I’m going to have to do something about that?”

She leaned back against the rounded headrest, her auburn hair floating on the water’s surface. Green eyes, as deep as the water’s hue, stared back at him, hungry with desire. “I was counting on it.”

He leaned over her and his lips came down on hers, the kiss prolonged and sweet. Heaven couldn’t feel as good, Jake thought, and slid his tongue inside for a more thorough taste. She let out a soft groan and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him on top of her and aligning their bodies in an intimate embrace.

His groin pulsed hard and ready against her bare skin, and her legs slipped open wide, letting him know she was just as ready as he. “One of these days we’re going to do this the right way.”

“And what would that be?”

“Me on top,” he muttered. The lack of strength in his shoulder hadn’t slowed him in many things, but making love to Brianne in that particular position had been a luxury denied him so far.

“Work out with me and I’m sure you’ll be ready in no time.” He couldn’t miss the challenging gleam in her eyes. “You know, the whirlpool will heat your shoulder well. We can fit in a session when we finish here.”

If she could think about working out, Jake figured he wasn’t doing his best to keep her distracted. He extended his hand, and she grasped it and rose to a sitting position. When they finished here, if she was in the mood for anything other than a warm bed and a good night’s sleep—tangled in his arms, of course—he’d eat his badge. Besides, she’d need a decent night’s rest to deal with tomorrow, he thought, then immediately pushed the troubling future aside.

With a gentle tug, he pulled her between his legs and seated her astride him on the submerged bench.

“Jake?” His name came out a gasp of surprise.

“Relax, honey.” He eased one arm around her waist to help her do just that. As she found a comfortable position, her behind pressed gently but insistently against his swelled erection. All his self-restraint went into staying in his seat and not entering her pliant, willing body.

She tensed against him. “You expect me to relax with you inches away from…”

“Yes. Relax and enjoy.” He spread his legs, and she went from sitting on top of him to sitting in the V of his thighs, his groin hot and hard against the small of her back.

“As if,” she muttered.