Ethan knew he was important to the FBI. But Zoe…and her father…they were in a whole different league.
Her father is the freaking devil. And Luther Bates knew where hundreds of skeletons were buried. His work…and the work of some of the most dangerous criminals in the U.S.
And the one piece of leverage that worked to control Bates?
His precious daughter. Zoe.
“Now…” Ethan offered Victor a broad smile. “Since I’ve saved Zoe’s ass…and by association…your ass…let’s talk deals again, shall we?” He strode back to the window. “Some place warm. Tropical. I think Carly would look fucking awesome on a beach.”
Behind him, Victor growled.
“Don’t worry,” Ethan added. “When you go to Vegas to collect Zoe, I’ll give you the perfect cover. And to thank me for that…I think you’d better make sure my beach has the most beautiful white sand and crystal blue water possible…”
“Sonofabitch.”
Ethan knew they had a deal.
***
The breeze blew on Carly’s skin as she walked on the beach. A gorgeous, long stretch of beach. And no one else was there. Her toes curled in the white sand and the waves slid forward to meet her, tickling her feet. She laughed and walked deeper into the surf.
“You’re beautiful.”
Okay, so someone else was there. He was there. But Ethan was so much a part of her now…Carly turned toward him, smiling.
He wasn’t smiling. His features were tense and so stern and for a second, fear slid through her. What’s happened? What’s wrong?
“Sometimes, I think I should have let you go. I think I shouldn’t even touch you.” His voice was rough. “But then I know that without you, hell, my life would tear apart.”
She offered her hand to him. “I want you to touch me.” Him. Always…him.
He wasn’t wearing shoes. Just a pair of swim trunks that showed off his six pack abs. They’d only been on the island for a few days. So perfect, she was almost afraid it was all a dream. That she’d wake up…
And he’d be gone.
What if she hadn’t found him in that brownstone? What if Curtis had killed him? What if—
“You went back to the past, baby.” He took her hand. “You aren’t supposed to do that anymore.”
She took a quick breath and tasted the salt of the ocean. “You’re right. I think it’s time I put all of those ghosts to rest.”
He nodded, but he was still hesitant. Guarded.
“We’re the only ones for miles,” she said.
“Yes.”
“Good.” She pulled her hand from his, and, keeping her eyes on him, Carly stripped. She made sure to toss her clothes farther up on the beach. After all, she didn’t want them to float away with the tide.
Ethan’s expression hardened even more as he stared at her. Ah, lust. She could see his desire. Just what she wanted. Always. Ethan…needing me. “Make love to me?”
“Nothing I want more…” He pulled her close. He kissed her. Deep. Hard. And she kissed him back the same way. But when he started to lift her into his arms, she pushed him away.
“No, here.” She bent to the sand. Took a deep breath, then settled down on her back. “Like this.”
He was so big and strong as he came down beside her. But he didn’t touch her. He almost did, but then his hand fisted.
He knew what she wanted.
They’d been so careful with sex. He’d never been on top of her. Never held her down. Because he hadn’t wanted to scare her or bring her ghosts back. But it was time to face those ghosts. With the sun setting, with the waves crashing, with the sand soft beneath her back…this was the place. And Ethan—Ethan was the lover she needed.
So she caught his clenched hand and brought it to her mouth. She kissed his knuckles. “Like this,” she said. Then she slid his hand down her body. Over her breasts. Her nipples were already tight. Aching. Eager.
Down, down, she guided his hand. Her legs parted for him. “Like this…” She let his hand go. He was touching her now. Stroking her. Getting her warm and ready for him.
He moved between her thighs, spreading her wider. She reached out to him, but he caught her hands.
Ethan held her hands captive. He stared into her eyes. “Remember…just say stop.”
Swallowing, she nodded.
Then he let her hands go. He put his fingers on the inside of her thighs. Opened her even wider, and he tasted her. Right there.
Ethan licked and kissed and made her come with a little cry that was lost to the waves.
He moved back up her body. She reached for him once more. This time, he caught her hands in a harder grip. Desire had turned his face harsh.
He put her hands over her head. Caged them with one steely grip around her wrists. Then his gaze came to her face. “Baby?”
“It’s you, Ethan. Just you.”
He kissed her. She couldn’t get enough of him. When he put his cock at the entrance to her body, her hips surged up to meet him. He thrust into her, deep and strong. His body surrounded hers, dominated hers, and he was sliding in and out, fast and deep. The waves were pounding, he was taking her—she was taking him.
Her heels dug into the sand as she arched up to meet him. Every hot glide of his body just fed her desire. She was panting and gasping.
“Baby?”
“Keep…going!”
And he did. She came with a release that wiped her out. Her heart thundered frantically in her chest, her whole body shuddered as the pleasure blasted her. And he was with her. She felt his release, loved the way he held her even tighter as he drove into her once more. And she loved, loved the way he whispered her name.
His fingers caressed her wrist. Slowly, he pushed his body up and stared down at her. “Carly?”
Her lashes lifted. Her heartbeat was still too fast.
“Are you okay?”
She shook her head. “No.”
Pain flashed on his face. Pain and fear.
No more of that.
“I’m not okay,” she continued as she smiled at him. “I have sand in all kinds of…interesting…places, and I should be running like crazy to wash it all away. Instead all I want…is to make love with you again and again…”
His fear vanished. Pain was replaced by pleasure. Love. Joy.
All of the emotions that she felt, too.
No ghost had come between them. No ghost ever would.
He pressed a tender kiss to her lips. “I know how to take care of the sand…”
“You do? You—” Her words ended in a surprised yelp because he’d moved so fast. He slid out of her and lifted her into his arms. And then he carried her—not back to their beach house, but right out into the water. The waves crashed into them and Ethan just held her tighter.
The sand washed away.
The past washed away.
It was just them.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and knew…yes, this was the man she’d do anything for. She’d trade anything for him.
And she also knew—without any doubt whatsoever—that he would do the same for you.
“I love you,” Ethan told her.
That was all that mattered.
###