Hearts in Darkness (Nikki & Michael 2)

"Turn around and face me,” he said, dropping the soap.

She did. He took her left foot in his hands, gently massaging her toes. Gradually, he worked his way up her leg, watching her amber eyes dilate with anticipation. When he touched her again, she sucked in her breath, squirming against his hand. He slid his fingers inside her, caressing her, feeling her heat, bringing her close to the brink again before pulling away.

Her need filled his mind, his body, and almost shot his control to hell. He slammed the link closed, not ready yet for this to end.

"Tease,” she muttered, her breathing hot and hard.

He smiled and made his way down her right leg, then raised her foot and gently sucked on each of her toes. Her moan of pleasure ran like fire across his senses. He lowered her foot and tugged her closer. She ran a hand down his chest and stomach, and every inch of him trembled in response. He stopped her, raising her fingers to his lips and kissing them. “This night is for you and about you,” he said softly.

“Just let me love you as you deserve to be loved."

Tears glimmered in her eyes. She blinked them away, but her smile remained tremulous. “I only want to give you the same."

"I take pleasure in your pleasure. I could stay here forever and just watch you, Nikki. Let me do this." She sighed. “I'm enjoying this way too much to say no right now."

"Good."

He began his gentle exploration again. Ran his hands down the full length of her lean body, caressed her small breasts, sucking her nipples until she was panting with need, then claimed her mouth, greedy for the taste of her.

Their minds entwined, wildfire ready to explode.

He cupped her again, slid his fingers inside her, bringing her to her climax hot and fast, until the shudders racked her body and left her limp in the water.

"Again,” he said, pulling her closer. “This time with me."

"I can't,” she moaned. “It's impossible."

"It's not.” Nothing was impossible between them. He savaged her mouth, drowning in the heat and urgency of her kiss. Got lost in the wonder of her body, until the ache in his was a fire that burned through the link, wrapping them in heat and passion and love . I could make love to this woman every day for eternity and never tire of her. And he knew with certainty that that's exactly what he had to do. Somehow, he had to find a way to hold her away from the danger of his work and yet keep her a part of his life. He couldn't walk away. Didn't want to walk away. He'd been a fool to even think he could. He caught her hair, pulling her head back, kissing the long line of her neck, working his way back up to her mouth. Her breath was hot and quick against his lips. “Say it, Nikki."

"I love you.” She moaned and wrapped her arms tight around his neck. “Oh God, I love you." He plunged himself inside her, then thrust her back against the spa, plunging deep again. “Say it again."

"I love you, I love you.” Her softness encased him, muscles contracting against him. He had to grit his teeth to keep from exploding.

"Again,” he demanded, thrusting hard, wanting, needing, every ounce from her. Her litany ran over him, through him, exploding glorious heat through their minds. “And I,” he vowed,

“will love you for eternity and never leave you."

Her climax sent him spiralling beyond control and into bliss.

* * * *

"I,” she said, sometime later, “have no energy to move. I think I'll sleep right here in these bubbles."

"Your skin will wrinkle like a prune. Not a good look, let me assure you.” He climbed out of the spa and quickly dried himself. “Up, woman. Bed is where you belong right now."

"My legs have no bones."

He grinned. “Good loving can do that to you."

"That wasn't good. That was amazing . I've never...” she hesitated and licked her lips. For an instant, she looked like a teenager just discovering the wonders of sex. “Let's just say that it has never been that good for me."

"Then it was a first for us both.” He wrapped the towel around his waist, then leaned over the side of the hot tub and grabbed her lax arm, tugging her toward the edge.

She raised her eyebrows and made no move to get out. “I find that hard to believe. In three hundred and eighty years you must have had some good sex."

He forced a note of severity into his voice. “Three hundred and sixty, not three hundred and eighty, thank you very much."

Her grin widened. “What's twenty years when you're that old? And you didn't answer my question."