She seemed to burrow into him and whispered, “No, it’s because you’re my Joe.”
Joe wasn’t sure he would have believed he’d heard it, if he hadn’t felt the words against his skin. A surge of pure, unadulterated possession almost overwhelmed him. He wanted to roll them to the floor and show her just how much he belonged to her. He wanted to mark her as his, so that everyone would know. It took all of his will to control his urges. Instead, he gently coaxed Julia to look at him.
He fought a smug smile when she kept her hands flat on his shoulders. She even looked him in the eyes. Shyly, but without fear. Joe gently cupped her cheek. He used his thumb to wipe away the last of her tears.
“I am, you know,” he said softly. “I am completely yours.”
“Joe?” Her fingers curled in his shirt. Confusion, hope, need, fear—it was all there in her eyes.
“Always.” He rubbed his thumb across her full bottom lip. “Always yours.”
“Joe.” She seemed to melt under his touch. Surrendering. Accepting. Hoping.
“Come here.” His hand on her hip pressed her towards him.
Her eyes went wide but she didn’t resist.
“Need you,” he whispered against her lips. “Kiss me.”
Her eyes fluttered shut and she pressed her soft, soft lips against his. The kiss was heaven. An intoxicating merging of heart, body and soul. Her sweet fragrance filled his mind. Her warm curves pressed against him. The gentle, seeking touch of her lips and tongue made him want to roar. She was perfect. She was home.
Julia was lost in Joe’s kiss. Each touch of his lips against hers proved he was real. He was alive. He was there. With her. His kiss was a soft, slow seduction. A sensual tangling of lips and tongues that made everything else fade to insignificance. Being with Joe, breathing him in, getting lost in his confident touch, made Julia feel safe. Needed. Wanted.
And oh how she wanted him too. His lips were firm but satin soft. His musky scent was intoxicating. Addictive. Julia knew she would never get enough of it. Strong muscles flexed under her fingertips, reminding her of the strength Joe possessed. Not only physically, but in every way possible. He was an immovable force that persistently and consistently pressed towards his goal.
She wanted to luxuriate in his strength. To wallow in it. She wanted to crawl so deep inside of him that no one would ever get to her. She wanted Joe surrounding her, a barrier to the world, an anchor for her continuously spinning mind.
Joe slowed the kiss down, leaving Julia breathless and longing. He rested his forehead against hers.
“The natives are getting restless.” His voice was husky as he stroked up and down the length of her back.
Julia felt like she was floating and Joe was the ocean. She flicked out her tongue to taste him against her lips, and he moaned.
“You’re killing me. You’re not ready for what I want, and if we don’t go deal with the team, they’ll come in here to get us.”
The word slowly penetrated her daze. “Team?”
He leaned back and smiled at her. Somehow that smile felt as though it was unique, one he kept solely for her.
“Half the office flew out to rescue us.”
She blinked hard as the fog lifted from her mind, and her cheeks began to burn for an entirely different reason.
“My work colleagues are out there while we’re in here kissing?” Her voice became increasingly hysterical as the words rushed out.
“It’s okay. Nobody cares what we’re doing in here.”
“Oh my goodness.” Julia shot to her feet. “This is so unprofessional.”
“Babe.” Joe followed her. “You aren’t working. This is a personal trip. You can’t be unprofessional on a personal trip.”
He tried to hide it, but Julia caught his wince when he straightened.
“You’re hurt!”
“It’s nothing. I’m fine.” Joe was gentle as he tried to stop her from lifting his shirt.
“That’s blood.” Julia was outraged.