Samhain Publishing Ltd, Ebooks and Books in Print

Tess felt as if she had died and gone to heaven. What she felt for Johnny at the moment had nothing to do with all the nights she had spent alone, wishing things could have been different between them. Nor was it about the regrets she had for what had happened all those years ago. What she felt right now, nestled in Johnny’s arms, was a pure desire to be loved by him in every way possible.

With no looking back.

His touch was different than she remembered. They weren’t kids any more and experience had grown with the years that had passed between them. She was feeling it now in the way he touched her, the way he took the time to make her feel as though she was the only woman who mattered. His breath, his kiss, his hands trailing along her smooth, burning skin… If the world were to end tomorrow, she would die a happy woman.

Though they couldn’t have been more than twelve feet from the fireplace, Johnny picked her up and carried her to the white fur rug she had fallen asleep on a few hours before.

She found it hard to breathe, the same way she’d felt when Johnny had kissed her earlier that night, as though being suffocated by an unknown force, an inner passion that had been dormant for years, waiting for this moment to give it life again. At the same time, Johnny provided her with all the oxygen she needed.

His mouth rarely left hers, only to trace her neck and shoulders with his kisses. Stirring beneath him, savoring his touch, Tess suddenly found herself afraid. Afraid this would be the last time she would feel his body against hers. But she couldn’t let her worries take her out of the moment. Not now, not after dreaming about this for years.

All she wanted was Johnny Sawyer and everything he could give her.

Obviously putting his own needs aside, Johnny didn’t rush. He lay there, kissing her, for what felt like an eternity before taking the time to remove her clothes, his lips only leaving her body long enough to pull the white shirt over her head and undo the discreet front clasp of her lacy bra.

From that instant on, Tess allowed herself to give in to everything happening between them, no worries holding her back. She was lost in time. She didn’t realize when exactly they became fully unclothed. The warmth of the fire was no longer necessary, for the heat from Johnny’s body was all she needed…

She felt eleven years younger, at a time when they had still shared a life together. Though the sex had always been wonderful between them, never could she recall the intimacy being this close. The way his touch now seared her skin… It was breathtaking.

Gazing into his eyes, she could tell he was as captivated by her as she was by him. How long would it last? What would this do to Johnny? Would he look at her and be filled with regret after their lovemaking was over?

Johnny had been with Lindsey for many years, and now she was gone. Tess had seen what Lindsey’s death had done to him, even if she hadn’t quite understood the hidden guilt he carried on his shoulders.

She knew it wasn’t realistic to expect more out of this. However, that was exactly what she wanted. It had taken so long to put each and every one of the feelings she had for him to rest all those years ago, and now—in a split second—they were back, stronger than ever.

So was the hurt.

As the reality entered her mind, she realized Johnny was looking down into her eyes. There was so much she wanted to say but couldn’t. So much she wanted to ask but couldn’t find the words.

“Are you okay?” Johnny lightly kissed her lips.

“Why would you ask?”

“You just seem…”

“Lost?”

“Maybe,” he agreed.

“I am.” Tess pushed back a loose strand of his hair, then pulled Johnny closer. “I feel lost in your arms.”

“That’s a good thing.”

Tess couldn’t say any more. All she could do was emulate his sexy smile. He again took her mouth in a ravenous kiss, and she indulged in the thrill of the moment, allowing the pleasure to fill her entire being.

She anticipated what was to come next. He traced a finger along her cheek, staring through eyes filled with seduction, down past the hollow of her neck, to her chest. She could feel the heat escaping his body as if it were pent up in the tip of that one finger.

She arched her back as Johnny teased her breast, taunting her nipple with every brush of his thumb. Her body screamed for his mouth to take the place of his tempting hands, but Johnny still appeared to hold back, not wanting to rush.

As his hand descended the length of her body, Tess’s eyes slowly closed to his touch. Never would she have imagined he could feel so good, his hand circling along her skin, forcing her to look at him as she shuddered deep inside.

His eyes were on her.

He had to know what this was doing to her. Tess broke the stare, receding out of the internal bliss, embarrassed that Johnny had witnessed her in such a vulnerable state. But it was too late. He knew he had a hold on her. His smile told as much, held something more than desire. Something that only a man could feel when touching a woman…

Pure satisfaction.

Satisfied that he was turning her into a pile of nerves, her pleasure threatening—at any second—to explode beneath his skilled touch. Tess couldn’t hide the fact that she wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anything in her whole life.

And he knew it.

As his finger circled the tender skin below her belly button, Tess tried to prop herself up on one elbow. He wouldn’t let her. He leaned down, gently parting her lips with his tongue to explore her mouth once more.

As the kiss progressed, Tess could feel the light caress of his fingers grazing the warm softness below. She wanted—no, needed—Johnny to touch her there, to fulfill the desire building up within. Tess didn’t know how much longer she could take it without screaming out his name.

Then it happened.

As if Johnny could read her mind, or more to the point feel the volcanic energy stirring within, he touched her…so deep that she couldn’t hold back. She could feel her own muscles shattering around him, and she wanted that for him, too. To feel the pleasures only she could give him. His lips muffled the groans escaping her mouth.

She wanted Johnny now more than ever. Johnny wanted her, too.