Page 46 of Fool's Gold

She laughed. "By all means. I'm not ready for a watery grave."

He carried her toward the campsite.

"But what about our clothes?"

"Don't worry about it, sweetheart. I'll go back for them later." He reached the camp and bent to lay her on top of her sleeping bag. The firelight cast shadows on her body, highlighting her curves. "You're beautiful, Sarah."

She reached up to trace a pattern on his chest. "Thank you. Every woman wants to be considered beautiful by the man she...loves."

He was exultant. She'd said aloud she loved him. He bent to kiss her, positioning himself on her so she could feel how much he wanted her. She parted her legs and he nestled between them.

"I need you, Sarah," he murmured before moving down to suck at her nipples. They were like new strawberries in his mouth, sweet and hard.

She gasped, arching firmly into his mouth. "That feels wonderful. I've been aching for your touch."

He smiled and moved down her body, scattering kisses across her taut abdomen. He stopped to dip his tongue in her navel, and she arched toward him. He chuckled at her surprised reaction and moved lower to press kisses on the insides of her thighs. He found the heart of her and stroked her with his tongue. She pressed against him whimpering. Emboldened, Rafe continued circling that little bead, teasing it until she screamed in ecstasy, arching toward him.

Then, she eased. He pressed kisses on her thighs moving back up to join her.

"Why did you do that, Rafe? I wanted to feel that when we made love."

"And you will, sweet Sarah. Just lie back and let it happen." He nibbled at her neck and cupped her breast, finessing the nipple. It instantly beaded to his touch. "You see?"

She moaned when he bent down to flick his tongue across her nipple. "Yes, I guess it is possible."

He moved to the other breast and placed his hand between her thighs. He traced slowly between the damp petals until he reached her bud.

Her legs thrashed as she opened for him.

The scent of their love was heavy in the air, and he triumphed in it. She reached out to touch him, cupping him in her hand.

He pressed himself into her hot palm, but when he almost lost control, he pulled away. He settled between her thighs, pressing the tip of his shaft against her heat. Unable to wait any longer, he surged into her.

She moved against him, wrapping her legs around his hips. "Oh, Rafe, that feels so right," she cried out in a voice raw with emotion.

He surged into her once, twice, three times, and she climaxed.

Undone by her passionate cry, Rafe followed her into bliss with a hoarse shout of love.

Chapter Nine

Something tickled Sarah's nose. She wiggled it against a warm furry pillow, opened her eyes, and realized she was sleeping with her head cushioned on Rafe's broad chest. She raised her head and realized she was halfway lying on him as they both nestled inside her sleeping bag.

She yawned and then grinned. She might not remember falling asleep last night, but she'd never forget their long, passionate night of lovemaking.

She cautiously unzipped the sleeping bag, trying not to rouse him. She smiled again. The poor guy would probably be full of aches and pains when he woke up. She wasn't exactly light as a feather.

The zipper buzzed noisily as she eased off him and lay at his side. She leaned up on one elbow and gazed wondrously at the man she loved. Her gaze stopped on that part of his anatomy that had pleasured her last night. In the early morning light, it was just a shadow of its former self, but as she looked, it started to grow.

"Taking inventory, sweetheart?"

"I just wanted to make sure we hadn't done any damage last night."

He pulled her into his arms. "And do I pass inspection, wife?"

"You'll do." She nuzzled his neck. He tasted wonderful, sweet and salty at the same time. "You know, I could get used to this." She sighed blissfully when he caressed her breast.

"I aim to see you do." He rolled onto his back, taking her with him.

---