Page 64 of Hold the Line

He gripped my hips beneath the water, the tips of his fingers grazing my bare midriff. His erection prodded my inner thigh, hard and thick. He had to have been that way before he pulled me onto him. Maybe since we’d taken off our clothes. Since I’d been turned on all this time too, it was only fair.

“I’m feeling healed already,” he drawled.

“Funny, I am too.” I slid my hands along his arms, my breath catching as his taut muscles rippled beneath my touch.

“I’m about to ask something out of jealousy,” he said.

“Okay.” My hands stilled. “You can ask me anything.”

“Have you brought other guys here?”

“No, I haven’t. Well…my brothers, but they don’t count.” I leaned down, my lips over his. “This spot is a little bit of a family secret. I’m not saying other people haven’t stumbled upon it, but we don’t bring anyone here. That’s how it stays special.”

His fingers dug into my flesh. “You brought me here.”

“That’s right. I trust you.” My lips curved. “Plus, I made sure to distract you on the way so you won’t be able to find your way back. You’re going to have to stick with me if you want these hot springs.”

He chuckled. “That’s no trouble. You can throw a bag over my head on the way back. I wouldn't wanna be here with anyone but you.”

“I told you I trust you.” I nipped his bottom lip. “But I do like you being a little jealous. I have to tell you, I’m jealous too.”

His head jerked back. “Of what, sugar? There’s no one else. Never has been.”

“I know, but look at you, Deacon. You walk around looking like a hot, sexy bad boy. You might not notice it, but women drool over you just like I do.”

His lips tipped into a grin as his eyelids lowered to half-mast. “You’re drooling over me?” He sounded more than a little pleased.

“I am, and I’m not ashamed of it.”

He pressed me down on his lap. “I might not be drooling, but you have me at least half-hard most of the time. Right now, with all your soft, pretty skin on display, I’m a rock. You feel that?”

I rocked against him. “I couldn’t miss it, honey.”

He groaned, his jaw rippling as he clenched it. “When you call me that…” He shot forward, burying his face in my neck, his breath warm and heavy. “Jesus, Phoebe, the way you make me feel…it’s like I’m going to burst out of my fucking skin sometimes.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“I don’t know.” He dragged his tongue along my collarbone. “It’s hard to go slow with you when I’m losing my mind.”

“I’m all in for your pace, Deke.” I slipped my fingers into the sides of his damp hair, pulling his head back. “But if you want more, I’m all in for that too.”

He blinked hard. “I want…” His hands slipped from my hips to cradle my ass, then farther, sliding into the valley between my cheeks. “I want to make you come again. This time, with my hand.”

“Yes,” I whispered. “Touch me.”

He slid his finger along the edge of my bathing suit, his eyes studying mine, then slipped beneath the fabric to touch my bare, swollen skin. Our breath caught in unison. When I didn’t stop him, he continued trailing his fingertip along my seam as the heated water slapped against us.

He wasn’t hitting any of my most sensitive spots, but I was already panting, and my stomach ached from how tight it was knotted. It wouldn’t take much. Not much at all. Then again, we’d been kissing for weeks. I was primed for him.

I didn’t rush him, though. The sweetness of his exploration was part of the pleasure, and the look of pure awe on his face would stick with me long after this moment was over. I couldn’t remember a time I’d felt this desired.

He dipped his face to my throat, kissing along my collarbone and chest. I let my head fall back, giving him all the access he wanted. His kisses started sweet and light, then he became more firm, adding teeth and tongue when I moaned for him and told him it felt so good.

His other hand glided over my breast, hesitating at my bikini top. I arched into his touch, giving him permission to touch me everywhere. That was all he needed. In the next breath, he tugged my top below my breasts.

“Jesus,” he gritted out. “Holy fuck.”

He dropped his head to my exposed breast, rolling his cheek along the top. His stubble rubbed my soft skin, causing a delicious friction that made me moan. Then his mouth covered my beaded nipple, so warm and wet I felt like I was melting.

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