Those Sweet Words (Misfit Inn 2)

The overlook was empty.

Before Pru could process the disappointment of that, Flynn stepped free of the shadows.

Flooded with relief, she blurted, “You came.”

“You asked.” He reached out to skim his fingers along her cheek. “What do you want, Pru?”

She closed her eyes and leaned into the touch, already feeling a trifle breathless. “I want to show you something. It’s a bit of a walk.”

“In the dark?”

“There’s moonlight.”

“So there is.”

As she took his hand, Pru was conscious that he was letting her lead now. They left the yard, taking the trail she knew as well as she knew the house she’d grown up in. The sounds of the reception grew fainter as they went down the incline and wove their way through the trees. Neither of them spoke until the trees opened up some time later onto a small pool of water.

“This is Opal Springs.”

It took Flynn a moment. “Of the skinny dipping story?”

“That would be the one.”

“So this is where your sister got up to mischief. You’ve really never been?”

“No.” She took a breath and met his eyes. “I was hoping you’d help me change that.”

“Now?” The question escaped on a surprised laugh.

Pru looked out at the shimmering reflection of the moon in the water. “My life is about to change radically. This is the last time I get to think about myself first, and I don’t want my headstone to say, ‘Thank God for Pru. She was reliable.’ So yeah. Now.”

“Won’t they miss us?”

She could still hear faint strains of music. “Not for a while yet. We might miss the cake cutting, but I really don’t care.”

Flynn stepped into her, sliding a hand along one hip. “Is it a swim you’re after?”

Pru gripped his waist. “The swim is negotiable. I just want you.”

~*~

“I just want you.”

The four most beautiful words in the English language. They had Flynn wishing for a bed and privacy and time to fulfill her every fantasy and all of his. But she wasn’t just any woman, ripe for a tumble. She was the sister of one of his closest friends. And she was not, as Xander had pointed out, for playing with.

Flynn wasn’t feeling playful. None of the things Pru stirred in him were so simple as that. She was a woman who gave everything and asked almost nothing in return. Much as it seemed to rankle her, she was reliable and dependable—the family rock in the absence of their mother. But she was so much more than that and needed someone to show her. She wanted this, wanted him. How could he turn away from such a request?

He cradled her face, tipping it up until moonlight glimmered in the dark depths of her eyes. “Ceann álainn.”

“What does that mean?” Pru murmured.

“Lovely one.” Her cheek was exquisitely soft beneath his thumb. “And you are.”

She turned her face into the touch and closed her eyes, his name a sigh on her lips.

He didn’t know what she’d imagined when she’d brought him down here. A fast, wet coupling in the spring? One night of hurried passion? He wanted to give her more than that. He wanted to take his time, wrapping her in layers of pleasure until she forgot all the stresses and heartaches she’d endured. So it was with gentleness he took her mouth, with tenderness he pulled her closer.

She melted into him, her body going pliant as wax against his. The instant surrender fired his blood, but he kept the pace slow and easy. She was a woman who deserved to be cherished. Flynn didn’t want her thinking of a time clock or the inevitable end to whatever they brought to each other. He wanted her thinking only of his touch, his taste. Of the now. He traced the seam of her lips with his tongue. She opened for him, rising against him, her hands linking around his neck to pull him closer.