Page 49 of Bold Encounter
"Abe…" she said, then reached up to touch his face.She traced the line of his jaw with her fingertips.
The moment stretched between them, charged with the emotions they'd been holding back, all the feelings that had been building since that first night when he'd protected her outside Jasper's.
Abe leaned down and she met him halfway.Her first kiss was tentative, testing the waters of this new intimacy.But when she felt him respond, and his lips moved against hers with gentle pressure, passion ignited between them.
The kiss deepened, filled with all the feelings that they'd been denying, and the love that had developed.Friendship had become something infinitely more precious.
When they breathlessly broke apart, Genevieve saw her own emotions reflected in his eyes.Desire and a promise of lasting love made her heart swell with joy.
Abe pressed his lips to her forehead."I've wanted to do that for so long."
"So have I."Her voice was barely above a whisper."I've been fighting it, telling myself it was too complicated, too dangerous."
"And now?"
Genevieve looked up at him.He was giving her every opportunity to pull back and let him know that this wasn't what she wanted.When she looked into his eyes, the reasons she should back away evaporated.
"Now…I feel hopeful."She touched his jaw, and for a beat, Abe's eyes locked with hers."You need ice for that shoulder," Genevieve said, forcing herself to focus on his injury despite the electricity still sparking between them."And something for the pain."
Abe started to protest, but she was already moving toward his bathroom, returning with a bottle of ibuprofen and then continuing to the kitchen for an ice pack.When she came back, she found him sitting on the bed exactly where she'd left him, watching her with an expression that made her pulse quicken.
"You don't have to take care of me," he said as she handed him the medication and a glass of water.
"Yes, I do."She sat beside him to carefully position the ice pack against his shoulder."You got hurt because of me.The least I can do is make sure you heal properly."
Her ministrations were thorough.She made sure the ice was positioned correctly, then adjusted pillows behind his back for support.
Each touch became increasingly intimate as she moved around him.Her hands lingered on his skin, and her awareness of him as a man grew with every passing moment.
After twenty minutes with the ice, Abe moved his shoulder experimentally, rolling it in a careful circle."Much better," he said, and she could see that the medication was taking effect."It's really not that bad."
Relief flooded through her as she watched him move more freely.She'd been concerned that Jason's thug had done permanent damage, that her presence in Abe's life had cost him his career or his health.
"Are you sure?"she said, her hand resting on his thigh."You're not just saying that to make me feel better?"
Instead of answering with words, Abe turned toward her, then placed his warm palm against her cheek."I'm sure about a lot of things right now," he said in a deep voice.
The simple touch sent heat racing through her.Looking into his eyes, she found him irresistible.Abe leaned down, and there was nothing tentative about his kiss.
When they separated, Genevieve felt dizzy with want.She pressed her hands against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart."Abe…"
"I know we said we should wait," he said, his voice rough with emotion."But…I'm not a saint."
"I don't want you to be," she said, unable to look away from his adoring gaze."I love you, and I want to be with you."
For only a second, Abe hesitated, looking deeply into her eyes.The floodgates were about to open.She could tell that if she made a move, his restraint would dissolve.Her anticipation was deliciously unbearable.
"I love you, Abe.I love your strength…and your kindness.You make me feel cherished and valued, like no man has before."
Abe's pleasure was evident, transforming his features from merely handsome to beautiful."I love you too," he said, "more than I dreamed was possible."
*****
Their undressing was slow and reverent.Each piece of clothing was removed with soft kisses and gentle caresses.Genevieve hovered on the brink of utter abandon.
In the daylight filtering through the bedroom windows, she marveled at Abe's muscular form and his smooth, dark skin, begging for her touch.His chest was broad and powerful, marked with a few scars that spoke of his bravery.
He gently explored her body with worshipful hands.He kissed the rose tattoo on her arm, then worked his way down, kissing each falling petal.The emotion evoked by the intimate tattoo changed.The lovely image expressed her soul-deep connection to Abe.
