Tempest in Eden

"I think you can count on that, especially after this past week. You've shown a remarkable knack for getting things done." He traced the fragile line of her collarbone with his finger. "Everyone loves you, Shay."

"I'm glad. Not for my sake, but for yours."

"All week I've heard endless praise for how you responded to the emergency. From the fire chief on down, I've heard nothing but compliments." His mouth twitched with amusement as his fingertip traced her mouth. "Except for Mr. Griffin. He saw you kick the stove and swear at it when it wouldn't light right away."

"That tattletale!" she cried indignantly. She buried her face against his chest. "Did I kick the stove and swear? I don't remember."

He chuckled. "He did admit you were in somewhat of a state." His index finger under her chin raised her face back to his. "You may be nominated for canonization before it's all over."

"Do you want me to be a saint?" Her breath fanned his chest as her lips toyed with his nipple. "All the time?"

"In public, maybe. In my bed I rather like you to show a streak of wickedness."

"That won't taint your admiration of me?" She flicked a pink tongue over his skin, proof that her wicked streak was very much still a part of her.

"That's what I had in mind for right now. Admiring you." In one agile motion he swept the covers aside and turned her on her back. His eyes made a swift, ravaging tour before returning to her face to begin again with leisure.

He covered her face with soft, fluttery kisses. "I'll never forget what this face looked like when I first saw it in a bathroom mirror."

"I'll never forget what I first saw either … even before your face." She touched

him and grinned when he stirred with arousal.

"You're shameless. Imagine taking advantage of a poor, defenseless man that way."

"Yes, just imagine." She was taking even greater liberties now, caressing his hard, virile shape with loving fingers.

"I'm only going to give you forty years to stop doing that," he rasped unsteadily. His tongue batted at her earlobe, then delicately investigated the interior until her back arched and she demanded his kiss.

Their lips flirted, sliding against each other as they moved their heads from side to side. Her tongue teased the corner of his mouth, and his outlined the shape of hers. All of this was only a preamble to their mating when their tongues penetrated each other's mouth, thrusting and withdrawing until they both had to come up for air.

"I'll never be appeased," he vowed. "You only make me hungry for more." Sliding down her body, he examined her breasts with luminous eyes. Experimentally he touched her nipple and watched it stiffen beneath his finger. His tongue licked it lightly. He looked down at it and whispered, "Beautiful," before he took the firm bud between his lips and drew it into his mouth. When both nipples had been treated to that kind of loving, he adored their wet glossiness with avid eyes.

"Let me love you, too," she begged.

"Soon. I told you there was so much of you to admire."

He kissed his way down her stomach. His tongue dipped into her navel in playful forays until Shay whimpered helplessly. He gave special attention to the gentle mound where their child slept and paid homage to her femininity. He was the most ardent of lovers, kissing her intimately, loving her unselfishly, bringing her to a pinnacle of passion she'd never reached before.

"Please," she sobbed, clutching at him.

His hands slid beneath her back, and he lifted her up and over him as he levered himself on his knees. With their hearts drumming together, he entered her, piercing her heart and breaking it open with his love. It showered them both with sparks of light that would burn into infinity.

She fell against him, gasping for air. He held her tightly until they both quieted, stroking down from the top of her head to the graceful fullness of her hip with a loving hand. Gradually he lowered them both to the bed. He didn't leave her but lay nestled inside as she smiled up at him, drowsing in the aftermath of a tempest.

"Are you sure you've always been a minister?" she asked sleepily, brushing back tousled raven strands from his forehead.

"Why do you ask?" He kissed the sheen of perspiration from her brow.

"Because you're a damn good man to have between the sheets."

He shook with silent laughter. "You wouldn't have lasted in Eden as long as poor Eve, my Shay."

"Aren't you glad?"

"If you're asking if I love you, the answer is yes." He pressed a soft kiss onto her mouth. "And don't ever change. I love you just as you are."

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