His offer sounded good. It sounded wonderful. The trouble was, if she gave in, if she opened herself to temptation, she would be the one who wanted it to go further. She would be the one who needed more.
“Okay, okay. I don’t want to pressure you. I’ll rub your back. How about that?”
“I…”
“Or a foot massage. That’s what you need. And let me tell you, I don’t offer that to just anyone. Free of charge.”
“I’m not sure how I can resist.” Sylvie meant the remark to sound like a light quip, but she couldn’t help feeling the truth of it. Bryce made her feel so warm, so wanted. As though she’d finally found her place in the world. A place where she belonged. A place she might even be able to pretend was permanent.
But permanent didn’t exist. She knew that. So what if she didn’t let herself think that way? What if she focused on only one night?
Could she do that?
She needed Bryce. No question. Needed his warmth and his passion. Needed to feel as if she belonged. If he was gone tomorrow, wouldn’t she regret not being with him while she could? Wouldn’t that be worse?
Sylvie turned in Bryce’s arms. Tilting her head back, she peered up at him. “I’m sure you’re great at foot massages, but I’m afraid I need more.”
“A foot massage and a back rub?”
“More than that.” She turned again to face the mirror, her back to him.
He watched her in the mirror, his eyes dark, intense, looking into her, waiting for what she’d do next.
Sylvie untied the sash at her waist. Fingers trembling, she pulled the sides of her robe apart and slipped it off her shoulders. She stood naked in front of the mirror, in front of him. Her breasts hung free, her nipples puckered and taut. Warmth curled between her legs.
She felt his gaze move over her as much as she saw it in the mirror. His eyes took in every detail, as if every inch of her skin was precious, every feature unique, the whole package more alluring than any woman he’d ever seen. “You are so beautiful.”
Sylvie let his gaze and words and the feelings building inside engulf her. If she had this man looking at her just this way every day, she’d feel beautiful the rest of her life.
She’d feel wanted.
She pushed away a shiver of fear. She couldn’t think of anything right now but Bryce, the time they had together. She couldn’t concentrate on anything but the reflection of his eyes.
He pressed his body close once again. The ridge of his erection jutted against her bottom and lower back. The crisp fabric of his shirt rubbed against her.
Slipping his arms around her, he cupped her breasts in his hands, lifting, caressing. Her nipples poked between his fingers. Lowering his mouth, he kissed her neck, her shoulder. He slid one hand down her side and over her belly until he found the heat between her legs.
Her belly tightened, low and hot. A moan vibrated deep in her throat, a sound she didn’t even recognize as her own. She rocked against him, the heat building. But she wanted more.
Reaching behind her, she gripped his shirt and pulled it from his pants. She wanted to feel his skin, his warmth. She needed all of him. She didn’t want him to hold anything back.
He took his hands from her, stripped off his clothing, and slipped on a condom. When he snuggled up behind her again, his skin smoothed warm against hers, his erection pressed against her, branding her with its heat. Nudging her legs apart, he moved closer, pushing between her thighs. But he didn’t enter her. Instead he pressed tight against her. Taking a breast in each hand, he kissed her neck. He dipped his tip into her wetness.
Heat rippled through her, burgeoning with each stroke. She watched his hands lift her breasts, scissoring her nipples between his fingers. She felt the desire in his eyes, reveled in the hardness thrusting between her legs, rubbing, building. Pleasure shuddered through her and broke loose from her lips.
His strokes quickened, eliciting more shudders. Just when she thought she was done, he slipped inside. He filled her, stretched her, yet she felt no pain. Only slick heat.
She watched him move into her. His eyes were half closed, yet she could tell he was watching her, too. Watching her breasts bounce with each thrust. Watching the way she tilted her head back against him. Watching as the sounds of pleasure moaned deep in her throat.
Bryce leaned forward, his breath tickling her ear. “I can’t get enough of you, Sylvie. I could never get enough.”
She soaked in the words, the sensations. She couldn’t get enough of him either. He was what she needed. What she’d always needed.
Slipping out of her, he scooped her into his arms and carried her out of the bathroom and laid her gently on the very edge of the bed. Nudging her legs apart, he settled between them and lowered his mouth to her.
She never guessed her body would still have the stamina to respond. He moved his mouth over her, devouring her until waves of shudders seized her again.
She cried out, louder this time. She could no longer control her response. She could no longer control her feelings.
Pressure bore down on her chest, making it hard to breathe. It was too much, too fast, too dangerous, but she was falling for him anyway. Sometime tonight, she’d stepped over that cliff, and now she was plummeting.
Now she would never be the same.
Bryce
When Bryce awoke with sun peeking around the drapes and Sylvie curled at his side, he wasn’t sure if he’d made a new start or a big mistake. Either way, he’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
He watched her eyes move under her closed lids. Her hair spread over the pillow in wild waves. A smile played on her lips, the corners rising and falling with the flow of her dream. She looked peaceful. More peaceful than she had since he’d met her. And he could only hope that he was a part of that.
Sylvie hadn’t wanted to admit it, but seeing Yamal dead had hit her hard, and Bryce knew that ever-present fear for her sister was no small part of it. He probably shouldn’t have come back to her room, shouldn’t have asked her to open the bathroom door, shouldn’t have kissed her, but he hadn’t been able to stop himself. He hadn’t wanted to stop himself. Now he only hoped that she didn’t regret making love. That she knew how much he really cared about her.
He glanced at the desk and the folder holding the articles about Ed Dryden that Diana had collected. Bryce hadn’t shown them to Sylvie. He hadn’t wanted her to know the role he’d played. Hadn’t wanted to see the look in her eyes.
But after last night…
Bryce wanted to be honest. He wanted her to know him. And the only way for her to truly understand the man he had become was to know the man he once was.
He looked back to her sleeping face. So beautiful. So strong. So sweet. He bent over her and touched his lips to hers.
Her lids fluttered. Her eyes opened.
“Good morning.”
At first, she looked confused. Then she gave him a tentative smile. “What time is it?”
“Just after seven.”
She moved to sit up, clutching the sheet to shield her breasts. “I need to find out when the DNA test will—”
He held up a hand. “Wait.”
She sucked in a breath and looked at him, as if suddenly remembering what had passed between them. Or maybe she was just finally acknowledging it.
Something inside him hesitated. The connection between them was so tender, so new, anything could destroy it, much less what he was about to confess. But if it was to grow, he had to be honest. He lowered his lips to hers again, kissing her for what might be the last time. “We have to talk.”