She looked around for a moment—searching for a way to climb down without taking such a big step—and finally reached for his outstretched hands. He took hold of her wrists and easily managed her descent. Yeah, maybe he made sure the angle of her landing forced her to lean into him for balance, and yeah, maybe he liked the way her breath hitched when their bodies touched, but he didn’t think she’d blame him for taking the small advantage. When she was stable on her own two feet, he took a seat on one of the boulders and patted the space between his legs. “Got your front-row seat ready.”
The dubious expression didn’t quite leave her eyes, but she carefully stepped in front of him and settled herself between his thighs. He unfurled the blanket, draped it over his shoulders, and then wound his arms around her, wrapping them in a cocoon of flannel.
Not bad for just shy of six fifteen in the morning. He had the rock at his back, her warm body pressed to his chest, a semi snugged comfortably against her ass, and miles of mist-filled valley in front of him stretching all the way to the sea. The first spears of dawn were already burning off the marine layer, turning the cloud pack pink.
Then she fidgeted her hips. His semi surged, and words like “comfortable” ceased to be a part of his vocabulary. She released a husky little sound along with a breath and wiggled again.
“Restless?”
“Shut up.”
He laughed and transferred the job of holding the blanket to her. “You need something to keep you busy.”
“I need—oh…”
He unzipped the jacket she had on and opened it. “Keep a tight hold on the blanket. I don’t want you to catch a chill.” Then he eased his hands under her shirt and ran them up her ribs, stopping when his fingertips skimmed the elastic band of her bra. “Tell me, Czarina, have you been obeying my no-touch rule?”
She straightened. “Yes.”
He hooked his fingers under the bra and pushed everything up over her breasts. Her gasp told him she hadn’t expected the sudden move, but the way her back arched told him she didn’t object. Her head tipped against his shoulder. An unmistakable offer.
Only an idiot would pass up such an offer. He might be a masochist, but he was no idiot. He feathered his fingers over her tight nipples. “Did you touch yourself here?”
“Uh-uh.”
“Not even once? I didn’t put them off-limits as part of our deal.” He trapped them. Plucked them, pulling firmly enough to lift them a little.
“No. I didn’t touch myself anywhere.”
“Then you won’t mind submitting to my lie detector.” He abandoned her straining nipples and wedged his hands between her knees. “Spread your legs.”
She did, and shivered when he ran his palms up her thighs. He stopped just short of the apex and let her moan vibrate through him. “How about here?”
“I didn’t. I held up my end of the deal. Are you going to hold up yours?”
Smart-ass. “Was it difficult denying yourself?” As he asked the question, he slid his hands into her pants and framed her sex. “Be honest.”
She arched back a little more and pressed her forehead against his neck. “Yes. And no.”
Okay, the “no” gave him pause. “No?” Just to make sure she understood what denial he referred to, he palmed her through her underwear and growled his approval when he found her hot and wet. She rocked her hips and groaned something unintelligible.
“Sorry.” He slipped his hand into her panties. “I didn’t catch that.”
“Yes, I wanted to be touched. So much it hurt. But I wanted you touching me, and you weren’t there.”
“Did it piss you off? Did you curse my name?”
“No… Oh God.” Her body tensed as he trapped her clit firmly between his thumb and forefinger.
“Lie detector. Remember?”
“Yes! Okay, yes. Yes. I got mad.”
“Because you wanted me there, making you come?” He eased off and circled her clit. “You greedy girl. You came on the boat.”
She shook her head, sanding her forehead on the underside of his jaw. “It wasn’t enough. I need more. I’m always in need now, and it’s your fault.”
“You think you’re the only one hurting? You feel that, Czarina?” He rocked his hips, pushing his hard-on against her ass. “That hurts.”