Part 18 (2/2)

She could feel the heat from his eyes, knew he expected her to answer. Well, that was too bad-she

preferredtocontinuetostare out the window in silence. ”Angel?” His hand reached out and took hold of her chin and gently turned her backtoface him. ”You've got that look again.” Kristen knocked his hand away. ”That look again? What look is 'that look'?” ”It's thelook that goes withthat voice. It's the one that tells me we're not communicating on the same level.”

”Oh, I don't know. Your communication skills appeartobe fine. Just ask those womenatthe next table.

They can't take their eyes off you.” He was smiling again, and too late, Kristen realized she'd allowed her jealousy to reveal too much. ”You readytoget out of here?” ”Andgo where?” Her voice still sounded like ”that voice.” ”Somewhere I can kiss you without anybody watching.” ”What?” Kristen didn't remember gettingtoher feet. She vaguely recalled Blu paying the bill and leaving a tip for the waitress. Then they were through the door, walking side by side toward theNightwing.

Twenty minutes later Blu dropped anchor in a cozy little bay away from the outside world. The sun had set and what remained was apalepink sky that promised calm waters and a warm night. Kristen stoodat the railing, knowing what was abouttohappen.

She watched him come toward her. He said, ”About that kiss you promised...”

Kristen felt her stomach tighten, felt her entire body turn warm and anxious. ”Blu...”

”Shh. We'll talk later.” He brushed her braid off her shoulder and dipped his head. ”Right now I need this...” He kissed her slow and careful, his hands wrapping around her. He movedhis lips over her jaw, along her neck, dragged her closer into his heat. Kristen could feel him, hardand throbbing against her. Shemoaned, then gaspedwhen he gyratedhis hips to brand her with his hunger. ”I need tonight,” he whispered. ”I've never neededanyone or anythingin my life, Angel. But tonight, Ineed you.Say yes, baby. Let melove you.”

There was no way she couldsay no. Her body wasalready turning into a fire box. ”Yes,” she murmured. ”Love me, Blu.”

He turned her around and pulled her back into his groin. His head dipped again, his warm lips finding her neck atthe sametime his fingers found her zipper. Hesliditdownand shoved her jeans wide. Then his big hand was moving past her panties, and his fingers weresliding into her nest of blond curls.

”Blu...”

His fingers dipped farther. ”You're wet.”

”I know.”

”You want me. Say it.”

”I want you, Blu. Please.” Kristen closed her eyes, unable to deny how badly she ached for him. She moaned pathetically as one long finger sank into her. ”Take me below,” she pleaded into the sultry night air. ”Take us to heaven.”

She was in his arms in a heartbeat. He carried her downstairs and moved through the dark galley and down the hall. In his bedroom, he laid her on the bed and flipped on the small wall light. He stripped her first, then his own jeans and T-s.h.i.+rt were on the floor.

Beautifully naked, he climbed onto the bed. On his knees, straddling her, he towered above her. ”You can stop me if you need to,” he murmured, then kissed her parted lips, filling her with his tongue.

His mouth moved to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, licking her nipples until they were tight and aching. Kristen moaned softly, arched.

”Remember, you can stop me, if-”

”Never. I don't want you ever to stop.”

His tongue explored her navel, his hair moving against her b.r.e.a.s.t.s to tease her into another moan. ”You smell good,” he whispered. ”Taste good, too.” His fingers parted her, then were replaced by his tongue. Kristen arched off the bed as a primal need sent her pa.s.sion soaring.

”Blu!”

”I know, heaven, right? Let it take you, baby. I'll be here to catch you on your way back down.”

He sent his tongue over her sensitive, hot flesh, branding Kristen with a scalding wave of sweet

surrender. She cried out, arched her back. Then she was lost, lost in a delicious thunder and lightningclimax that sent her toheaven. And true to his word, Blu was there to catch her as she splintered back to earth.

Chapter 14.

It was midnight, and Kristen sat at the kitchen table wrappedina sheet, watching Blu as he roamed his kitchen like a man who intended to be a bachelor for the rest of his life. He was comfortable in a way that both surprised her and alarmed her. He was definitelya man, who, as he'd said earlier, didn't need anything or anyoneto survive.

As he carried scrambled eggs to the table on a plate with one fork jammed into the fluffy pile, Kristen's gaze was drawn to his hip-hugging cutoffs and the scar on his thigh. The wound was close to a year old, fromwhat she remembered reading in the newspaper article-a permanent scar that had left themuscle sunkenin, which explained why he limped. The paper claimed he could have lost his legif the ordeal had draggedonanother day.

When heslid the plate onto the table, she redirectedher attention to his handsome dark eyes. Smiling, she asked, ”Are you feeding me?”

”I cooked. You're feedingus. If we're going to survive the night, we're going to need the protein.” He placed two gla.s.ses ofwater on the table, then sat besideher. Leaning close, he stole a kiss. ”You okay? Feelall right?”

What he was asking her was if she was sore or if he'd hurt her. But he hadn't hurt her, not at all. And if she was sore, it was a good kind of awareness that reminded her of just how much she loved this man. He was always careful, even when the pa.s.sion stole his breath and made him human. It was the one thing that continued to convince Kristen that Blu duFray was a good man, a decent man.

Look for a man who is good clean through, Krissy. Be picky, darlin'. Make sure he's good, bone-deep.

The aging male voice was back, but like before, no familiar face or name followed the wise words spoken.

Kristen picked up the fork loaded with eggs. ”I'm fine. More than fine. Now, open your mouth.”

She offered him the eggs and he ate them. While he sipped coffee between mouthfuls, he said, ”We need to talk, you think?”

”Yes,” Kristen agreed. ”We need to talk.”

”Before or after I make love to you in the Gulf.”

”In the Gulf? It's dark out.”

”I won't let anything happen to you.”

”I know.” Then she set down the fork and opened the sheet.

It was after midnight when Kristen followed Blu back into the bedroom. ”I thought we were going to talk,” she said, swatting Blu's hand away from her backside. They had spent an hour making love in the Gulf. Then Blu had talked her into sharing the shower. It had rained heaven in that small shower for another hour. ”We can talk in here.” ”But we won't talk, will we?” He grinned. ”Sure we will.” Kristen eyed his powerful naked body as he sprawled on the bed, his long, durable legs spread wide, his arousal already on the move. She picked up her panties. ”We're going to talk.” ”As soon as you come here,” he agreed. ”Forgetthose.” He gesturedtothe silk in her hand. ”Blu...” He didn't beg, didn'tsay anything more. He simplylooked at her, the heat in his eyes melting her insides.

Kristen dropped the panties and slipped into the bed on her hands and knees. Without reservation, she crawled between his legs, snuggled into him, and laid her head on his hard chest. Neither spoke as Blu begantostroke her hair. Finally he said, ”Tomorrow I want youtostay on the Nightwing. I don't want you going anywhere.” He tilted her chintolook down at her. ”Promise me. You'll give me forty-eight hours.”

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