Kisses at Sunset

‘You’re a witch.’ He kissed her again, his tongue delving deeply inside her, and she moved restlessly under him.

‘Sean, please…’ Her sob of need was trapped by his

searching mouth and he growled deep in his throat and thrust deeply inside her.

‘Better?’

‘Oh, yes!’ She arched towards him, their bodies moving as one until the pressure burst and her cries of fulfilment mingled with his harsh groan as he shuddered against her.

Tears seeped from under her closed lids and she heard him give a muffled curse, before wrapping her in his arms and rolling them both so that she lay almost on top of him.

‘I’m sorry, sweetheart.’ His voice was a groan of apology. ‘I was too rough.’

‘No.’ Her voice was little more than a whisper and he stroked the blonde hair away from her damp cheek and ran a thumb over her bottom lip. ‘You weren’t rough.’

His grip on her tightened. ‘I made you cry, for heaven’s sake.’

She turned her head and gave him a watery smile. ‘Because you made it so fantastic, and I never guessed it would ever feel like that.’

He stared at her for a long moment and then closed his eyes briefly. ‘There’s so much you need to tell me but somehow I just don’t want to hear it yet.’

That was fine by her. She snuggled closer into the warmth of his body, her smooth skin sliding over his rougher, muscled thighs.

‘Carry on like that and we won’t get any sleep tonight,’ Sean warned, his mouth tantalisingly close to hers.

Her heart raced. ‘Who needs sleep?’

He stared at her and his mouth curved into the sexiest smile she’d ever seen. ‘Who, indeed…’

CHAPTER EIGHT

THEY were up at first light, packing up the tent and the rest of the gear and struggling into their walking clothes.

Sean didn’t say much as they walked down the mountain and, staring at his massive shoulders leading the way down the narrow path, Ally felt a twinge of disquiet. Something was wrong. After the intimacy they’d shared during the night he should have been holding her hand or casting her the odd tender smile. Instead, his hard features were set and grim, his whole attitude one of single-minded intent as he concentrated on getting them down the mountain.

Part of her longed to put her arms round him and tell him how much she loved him, but pride stopped her. This was Sean, after all, and she knew he kept his emotions firmly in check. Except for last night. Her body warmed as she remembered the details of the night before. How he’d held her, touched her, driven them both to incredible heights of sensation and emotion. But he’d never mentioned love.

Had the emotion been all hers and not his? Had she imagined the soft way he’d spoken and touched her? Maybe that was all part of his seduction technique. Oh, heck, what was the matter with her? She lifted her chin and walked a little more briskly. She’d known all along that Sean didn’t want emotional involvement—he’d made it clear enough, hadn’t he? So what had she expected? That he’d drop on one knee and declare undying love?

Yes, she admitted miserably, suddenly stopping dead and staring at the path in front of her. That was exactly what she’d expected, or at least hoped for. But it had just been a fantasy. It wasn’t going to be like that. Sean’s rule was no commitment and she’d thought she could play by that rule, but she’d been wrong. She couldn’t have a short-lived affair with this man. One night had been bad enough. The memories left her breathless, desperate for more, and she knew that time would just make it worse for her.

She just wasn’t the sort of person who could have a fling, have fun while it lasted and then move on to someone else. She was a constant person, someone who believed that when you loved someone it was for ever. And she loved Sean.

‘Are you all right?’

She blinked, suddenly aware that Sean had stopped and was frowning down at her.

‘I’m fine.’

‘Are you hurt or something?’

Part of her wanted to scream at him. Of course she was hurt! How could he possibly not understand that? She was in agony. It depressed her to admit just how self-contained and controlled he was this morning. Didn’t he care at all, for goodness’ sake? Obviously not. Well, push on, Ally, she told herself grimly. Just get home and then you can work out what you’re going to do.

She summoned up a casual smile that cost her more in effort than the entire walk had. ‘I’m fine. Just admiring the view.’

For a brief second she thought she saw a shadow flit across his face and then it was gone.

‘Good. Let’s crack on, then.’