Absolution (Honor Guard 1)

He tore his lips from hers, nibbling at the base of her throat, and she groaned at the sensations assaulting her. Fire, ice, and desire all warred within her, and her legs itched to wrap around his waist.

He licked the skin above the neckline of her T-shirt and nudged the top down with his chin, so he could caress the swell of her breast. His chin brushed against her erect nipple, and she arched her back, panting for more.

“Please, Joseph,” she begged. She writhed, needing to feel him all over her, to have his skin on hers, his flesh on her flesh.

“What do you want, Eva? Do you want me to stop?” He lifted his head from her br**sts and met her stare.

She inhaled at what she saw there, so pure and open in his eyes. He loves me. She knew it to be true, just as she knew she loved him still.

“I will, but you’d better tell me now. If I wait another second, I’m not sure I’ll be able to.”

She nodded and rose to kiss him. He pulled away, sitting on his haunches, and released her hands.

“Maybe this is a bad idea. You’re drunk. And I’m on duty.”

She lurched up after him, grabbing his hair to pull his face back to hers. “I am not drunk. I’m horny, and I need you. Now.”

She crushed her lips to his and slipped her tongue inside his mouth. With a groan, she arched against him and ran her fingers over his shoulders, down to the small of his back to jerk his shirt up. He rocked back on his heels, so she could yank the garment over his head. Seconds later, he’d relieved her of her blouse and tossed it to the side. She skimmed her fingers over his taut torso, enjoying the feel of his crisp hair on her fingertips. She circled his nipple with her nail, and he moaned, flipping her onto her back.

This time, though, he nestled in between her legs and rolled his hips until she forgot to breathe. With a smooth motion, he reached under her, unclasped her bra, and threw it over with her other clothes.

“Jesus Christ, I’ve missed you so.” he muttered before cupping her br**sts and burying his face in her bosom. He nipped the side of her left globe and then took her nipple in his mouth.

She cried out and squirmed, desire overcoming her. Her body demanded more. Grabbing his ass, she pressed against him and tugged at his jeans. “Off.”

He lifted his head from her breast and grinned. “Okay.” Joseph hopped off the bed and unbuttoned his pants. “But yours have to go, too.”

He peeled his jeans off inch by inch, revealing the glorious body she’d missed more than she wanted to admit. When he dropped them, kicking them to the side, only his black boxers remained between her and her ultimate goal.

Her mouth watered. Eva bucked up, stripping off her pants as quickly as she could manage. Bunched fabric snagged her ankle, stopping her progress, and she struggled to free herself. “Shit.”

“Hmm. Looks like you need some help.”

She bit her lip, nodding. Anything to get naked faster and him inside her. Leaning down, he released her leg only to nibble the sensitive spot behind her ankle while running his fingers behind her knee. She quivered, placing her hands under his arms to yank him up her body. Tearing at his boxers’ waistband, she dug her nails into his lower back. God, she wanted him to kiss her while thrusting into her in one swift movement, but he avoided her clasping hands, instead licking her inner thigh—oh so close to where she longed for him to be. She whimpered, jerking his hair as she shifted toward his mouth.

He removed her panties and raised her hips. His hot breath fanned her swollen flesh, and she whimpered, grasping his shoulders. His gaze met hers in triumph before he flicked his tongue over her. She cried out, striving to move closer to him. He held her still with a firm grip and caressed her with his tongue. Her senses heightened, and her entire body tensed with need, demanding satisfaction. When at last he plunged a finger inside her, a cry tore from the back of her throat, sounding distant to her hazy mind. Pleasure tore through her body, all the tension inside her releasing, leaving her legs shaking and her arms weak. How in the hell had she survived without this—without him? Could she go back to surviving it?

He flipped her onto her knees. As he opened the condom, the crackle of the wrapper met her ears, and she wiggle impatiently for him to take her. Kissing the nape of her neck, he rose over her and plunged inside.

“Oh, Joseph!”

With each stroke, he increased their rhythm. His hips jerked to the left, telling her he would come quickly, so she reached between her legs to stroke his balls.

“Eva,” he yelled, thrusting once, twice, his body tensing against hers, his fingers tightening on her hips as they climaxed together. A moment later, he withdrew and collapsed beside her, pulling her down with him, so she rested in his embrace.

They stayed twined in each other’s arms until their breathing calmed. He brushed her hair away from her face to kiss her temple. Nothing could have broken her from her pleasure-filled daze more so than that. She raised herself to an elbow, staring down into his eyes. They glowed with happiness.

Shit.

How had she let this happen? Nothing had changed between them. He’d still broken her heart. Couldn’t be trusted. Yet, he looked at her…as if they were a couple again. Why did he have to look so damn satisfied?

And where did he get off assuming she would be happy about this, too? She’d been in his company for mere hours, and already she’d jumped back in bed with him.

Disgust rolled through her veins. How had she let this happen? How could she let him back in, after all he’d put her through? He came into her life, spouted a handful of excuses about what had happened—lies, more than likely—and she’d smiled and stripped naked without so much as a hesitant twitch. She had no pride. No dignity. And, no self-control.

“I’m so glad we get a second chance at this,” he murmured into her ear, squeezing her tight.

“A second chance,” she echoed. She trembled from the force of emotions fighting inside her—disbelief, pleasure, shock, panic. All of them fought over her, trying to get the upper hand. Why did it seem to hurt more now, hearing he might be innocent, than when she thought he’d betrayed her? She felt…guilty. As if she’d wronged him. She preferred being the one hurt, it seemed. Guilt didn’t suit her any more than yellow. Both washed her out. Rolling into a sitting position, she rested her forehead on her knees, trying to hide her expression from him. He always could tell how she felt by looking at her eyes. Damn inconvenient at times like this.

“You have to believe me now. I never did anything to hurt you. You should have let me explain earlier. All this lost time….” He sat up, stroked her cheek with his thumb. “I love you. God, it feels good to say that again.”