Taken (One to Hold 7.50)

“Rainbows and the magic of friendship.” A laugh pushed through his lips and splashed the water. I swam to him. This man had fucked me five ways from Sunday. I’d be damned if I allowed any distance between us now. Going straight into his arms, I wrapped mine around his neck. “What was your favorite cartoon?”

“Shazam.”

Now my lip curled. “What’s that?”

“Captain Marvel.” His hands lightly traced their way around my waist, and I shivered. His voice was more relaxed. “What was your favorite band?”

“Oh, no,” I shook my head. “You’ll only make fun of me.”

“Let me guess. Backstreet Boys.”

My laughter danced across the water, and he turned me so my back was against his chest. I leaned my head on his shoulder. “Mmm… I love your skin against mine.”

Lips touched my neck before he spoke again. “First sexy movie?”

“Henry and June.”

“Artistic sexy.” Lips touched higher, behind my ear. “I should’ve

guessed.”

“How about you?” I turned in the water so we faced each other again, nose to nose, lips a breath apart.

“I think it was… Nine and a Half Weeks?”

“You like playing with your food.” He smiled, and I leaned forward to kiss him lightly on the mouth.

“I like playing with you.”

A thrill surged straight to my core. “Do you bring many women here, Mister Knight?”

I was teasing, but his expression changed. “I’ve never brought anyone here.”

“Why not?”

His shoulders lifted me with his shrug. “It’s always been my place.”

Under the warm, mineral spring, my nipples lightly grazed his chest. Whatever it was doing for him, it was sending all kinds of sensations through me.

“Now it’s ours?”

That brought him up short. “No.”

He took my arms from around his neck, but when he turned, I felt something hard and stiff brush against my hip. His erection made me giggle.

“I felt that.”

He didn’t respond. He was back to being broody and distant, and it was pissing me off. “What’s the matter with you?” I pushed against him, and he flashed.

“Dammit, Mariska.” We were both angry now, our voices raised, but I wasn’t afraid anymore. I knew he wanted me.

“Do you remember that day in the barn?” he said. “After we rode back from the lake?”

“The day you kissed me?”

He was undeterred. “I told you I would leave. It hasn’t changed. I’m going to leave.”

Nodding, I traced my finger through the water. “It seems I remember suggesting you take me with you.”