Trusting the Enemy

Twenty-Nine

She opened her eyes when he paused and met his gaze in the vanity's mirror. Desire highlighted his face, which turned up the passion inside of her.

His Adam's apple jumped before he licked his lips. She clasped his hands in hers and brought them to her mouth. "What do you want to know?" She brushed her lips across his fingers, and then rubbed her cheek on his knuckles.

Right now, it didn't matter what he wanted to know. Talking wasn't on her list of things to do and she would do anything to lead his thoughts in a different direction.

"Taylor... I..." His Adam's apple jumped. "I want you to know I haven't been with any other woman since you. Since Bermuda."

She gazed at him through wide eyes. Her heart leapt and lodged in her throat. "Really?"

"Really."

Had he cared about her that much? Loving him had been the best thing she'd ever experienced, and just the thought of having it all back made her anxious again. Could she become a whole person by allowing herself to love him again? To trust him with her heart?

Throwing her arms around his neck, she captured his mouth with hers. Happiness burst in her chest, an emotion she hadn't felt for five years. She loved him. Regardless of who he might had been in Bermuda. She loved the man he was now.

"Cory... Cory..." she repeated against his lips. "Oh, Cory..." She broke away and stared lovingly into his eyes. "I love you. I... always have."

He cupped her face. "Taylor, I've always loved you, too. Please, don't ever leave me."

Tears collected in her eyes and her heart twisted. "No. Never again."

He took her mouth with his, more tender this time. More meaningful. Passionate and loving. He picked her up, and she wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her to the bed. He laid her down first, and then slid beside her. Immediately, she cuddled against him. His mouth met hers again, slower, but so very passionate.

As she ran her hands up and down his magnificent bare chest, his large hands drew circles on her back. Soon, the kiss grew urgent. Wild. He slid a hand down her leg, and when his hand wandered back up, he lifted it to hook over his leg. Sighing with happiness, she wanted nothing more than to bring back the wonderful nights they had shared while in Bermuda.

Then again, why did she have to think back to those days? Although they were great memories, they were also memories full of heartache. Why not start new memories now? Her heart was so full of love, there was no way she'd felt this way about him in Bermuda.

She ran her palm over his hard chest, loving the way his muscles flexed beneath her hand. Breaking the kiss, she trailed her mouth down his neck, leaving light kisses on his warm skin. His fingers threaded through her hair. His eyes closed, as a satisfied smile touched his face.

Within seconds, a groan tore from him as he pushed her back against the mattress, looming over her. His mouth moved to her neck, now. His tongue glided across her skin, knowing exactly the right places that would make her shiver with desire.

Tingles erupted all over her and brought Goosebumps to her arms and legs. His soft goatee rubbed against the hollow of her neck and shoulder as he moved his mouth back and forth. She loved the way he loved her. It had been a very lonely five years, but the absence made her want his touch that much more.

His mouth moved to her shirt, and she held her breath. And yet she couldn't, because she breathed too quickly. Just before he could pull apart the buttons lining down the front, he paused. Moments later, he broke the kiss and looked up at her. Tenderness coated his gaze, making his gray eyes absolutely beautiful.