Flash Burned (37 page)

He rubbed my stomach slowly, sweetly, practically making me purr.

“You have just the right touch,” I murmured.

“I'm guessing a foot massage might be in order after this, given that you haven't been wearing high heels lately.”

“I sat most of the evening.” He'd pretty much seen to it. “But, yes, I am out of practice with the sandals. They were just so lovely. I couldn't resist.”

“Back to your slippers.”

“Gladly.”

He asked, “Does the lavender help?”

“Immensely. It's very calming, soothing. I ran out of the frankincense.”

“I'll get you more. Qadir will send it.”

“So he knows you're alive as well?”

“Yes. As does Nikolai. I contacted them last night. Like Ethan, they were a bit put out that I'd kept this from them, but understood the circumstances and what needed to be done. Also, I think they'd already begun to suspect, when the indictments started coming.”

“It must have been difficult for you to maintain the secrecy. Especially with Ethan. I know how close you are.”

Dane let out a short, hollow laugh. “It was damn near impossible to keep this from him. I hated every second of it, but it was necessary.”

“He must have been shocked to hear your voice.”

“Even more stunned to see me in person, though he hid it well. I know he feels slighted that I didn't trust him with my plans, but I also know that, were the shoe on the other foot, he would have likely done the same. Amano was smart enough to set it all up flawlessly. The only regret I have is that he didn't tell you from the beginning.”

“You can't obsess over that, Dane. He did what needed to be done. We all have. And we've pulled through. Although … I do feel bad that Mikaela doesn't know.”

He was quiet a few moments, then told me, “As much as I hate how this has affected her—and I know she orchestrated my memorial service—I can't tell her just yet. Not that I don't trust her completely. She's just so … exuberant. I wouldn't want her to accidentally blurt out that I'm alive. Or let it slip to Brizio.”

“I understand. In the long run, all that will really matter to her is that you are, indeed, alive.”

He kissed my temple.

Setting aside the sponge, he reached for a tube of sugar scrub. “What's this?”

“Exfoliates the skin.”

“Huh.” He removed the lid and squirted a little onto the pad of one finger, inspecting it.

I found his curiosity about all my girly stuff endearing. He'd grilled me endlessly as we'd cuddled in bed this morning, our legs tangled, our fingers entwined. He'd wanted to know all about how I felt in general and as a result of being pregnant. Had a number of questions about the baby and an infinite list of potential dos and don'ts he thought he should know about. It was really very sweet and charming. Such a nice change of pace from the dark and tragic drama we'd been embroiled in.

Beyond the fact that his inquisitiveness and genuine concern touched my heart, it had felt so fantastic to finally share all of this with him. We even talked baby names, but nothing jumped out at us as a definite possibility.

The only subject we hadn't broached was where we'd live after all was said and done with the indictments. The fortress was growing on me, as long as I didn't give too much thought to the look of the high-voltage wall. It wasn't as though our friends would find the impenetrable security out of the ordinary, knowing what we'd been through. Well, Meg and Sean would. Then again, perhaps not, since Meg's father was a global communications tycoon who had employed his own level of security to keep his family safe.

I assumed that was why Kyle hadn't wigged too much over all the gates and guards and even a watchtower. He'd been exposed to Meg's family before he'd ever met me.

Still, I hadn't lost any love for the creek house, despite being away from it for so long. In fact, I missed it. So I wasn't sure where we would reside in the future. For all I knew, Dane might want to leave Sedona completely. There was no Lux to bind him here.

As I considered this, and leaving Kyle and my dad, Dane gently rubbed some of the sugar scrub on my shoulders and over my chest, using the sponge. My eyelids drifted closed as the slightly grainy, partially creamy texture worked its magic on my skin. The light vanilla aroma mixed with the lavender to create a lovely scent, and I inhaled deeply. I was thoroughly relaxed, though acutely aware of Dane.

His muscles and presence surrounded me. His heat felt soothing against my lower back, which ached a little from the previous evening's exertions. He left feathery kisses along my throat as my head rested against his shoulder. I felt his erection and grinned.

“You can't seriously want me again,” I softly joked. I'd lost count of the number of orgasms I'd had in the past forty-eight hours.

“Of course I want you again.” His sexy voice rumbled against my neck. “The question is, do you want me?”

“That never has been, nor will it ever be, a legitimate question. Certainly not one worth posing.”

He chuckled. “I always have enjoyed your bit of sass, Mrs. Bax.”

“I've always enjoyed how hot you get for me.”

“More than you know.” He stroked lower to my breasts. The water only reached the top of my rib cage, since I'd complained it'd take half the day to fill the enormous tub and I'd been itching to get in.

He swept the sponge over my already pebbled nipple as his teeth tenderly bit my throat. I moaned at the sensations he evoked. His mouth on my skin turned me on as much as the tiny granules he rubbed against the taut peak, making it tingle.

“Feel good?” he whispered as he shifted the sponge to my other nipple.

“Awesome.” I sighed. “They're very sensitive and the sugar adds friction.”

He tossed aside the sponge and squeezed more of the scrub onto a palm and rubbed his hands together. Liquid heat flared through my veins before he even touched me—the mere thought of what he was about to do excited the hell out of me.

He cupped my full, aching breasts and massaged gently. “You always worry too much about your figure, but honestly, baby, you pregnant is the sexiest damn thing.”

“I have a lot of competition,” I noted. “I see how women look at you. Gorgeous women.”

Mikaela.

“None more gorgeous than you.”

He carefully rolled my puckered nipples between his fingers and thumbs. The sugar was a delicious stimulant, sending shock waves to my core. I writhed against him, pressing my thighs together as my pussy throbbed.

Opening his hands, he used his palms against the sensitive points of my breasts, caressing in a circular motion. The erotic tingle against my nipples from the micro-beads turned me instantly restless, so aroused.

“Dane,” I whispered. “Let's get out of the tub.”

His hands dipped into the water, washing off the sugar before he quickly rinsed my chest. Then he climbed out and helped me. He laid a towel over the marble vanity and lifted me onto it.

My fingers curled around his wide shaft and I stroked him slowly. His emerald eyes blazed.

“Ari,” he murmured just before his mouth sealed mine. He kissed me passionately, deeply. A searing lip-lock that conveyed lust and longing. And love.

I wasn't sure if it was the pregnant hormones, all we'd been through, or the fact that I now considered every single moment we stole together the most precious of time—or all of that combined. But this kiss was so much more stirring than ever before. That was saying something, of course, because I'd always found Dane's kisses soul stirring.

This one took me to all new heights of unrelenting desire and irresistible affection. He hooked a forearm under my knee and spread my legs. Our lips and tongues continued to tangle and taste as the head of his cock nudged my opening.

I wrapped my fingers around his neck, keeping him close, keeping him kissing me. The other hand flattened against the vanity and I lifted myself slightly, angling my hips.

He barely pressed into me. Electric currents ran through my body. His tongue toyed sensually with mine as he moved a breath deeper, just an inch more. Taunting me, torturing me in the most seductive, provocative way.

I wanted him desperately, but the intimate teasing was sinful, playful. Downright exciting. As much as the urge to beg him to fuck me rose in my throat, I kept quiet as he dragged his mouth from mine and kissed my jaw, my neck. I luxuriated in the slow burn.

My lids closed and I dropped my head back. I concentrated solely on how he felt, pushing gradually in, filling me inch by glorious inch.

“That is so amazing,” I gasped. “I love how you feel inside me.”

“You make me come completely undone,” he said as he pumped slowly, pushing deeper and deeper with every measured thrust. “I can't ever get enough of you.”

A smile twitched at the corners of my mouth. “You know you're driving me wild.”

“I just like taking my time. Staying buried right here as long as I can.”

“No rush,” I whispered against his lips. “My doctor's appointment isn't for another hour.”

“I'm going with you.”

“I figured you'd say that.”

He continued to move within me, gliding slickly, stretching me. He kissed me again, and I reclaimed all my bliss from the nights at the creek house when he'd made love to me, held me, made me feel cherished and protected.

Like those exciting interludes, he picked up the pace now, stroking confidently. His kiss turned demanding, territorial.

I loved it when he got so caught up in the moment that he seemed desperate to have me—desperate to make me come.

I returned the kiss with equaled passion and possession. Because he was mine.

The bliss consumed me and the erotic sensations coursing through me erupted. I tore my mouth from his and cried his name.

“Oh, Christ, Ari.” He groaned.

I knew I squeezed him exceptionally tight. I couldn't help it. I literally clung to every inch of him.

“Baby,” he murmured before he thrust deep, his body jerked, and he came inside me while letting out that carnal growl that made all my nerve endings go haywire. Nuzzling the side of my neck, he said, “I have absolutely no control when it comes to you.”

I smiled as euphoria flooded my veins. “Let's keep working on it.”

*   *   *

We
all
drove to the retreat. An uncomfortable scenario in that I was there to see my OB-GYN for an ultrasound. I was thrilled Dane wanted to come along. I also understood that Amano preferred to chauffeur us for our own protection. And Kyle wanted to see his aunt and Chelsea.

Still, it was a bit awkward.

Regardless, it worked in our favor. Kyle cleared the way for us with Security and made it so that no one was around as we came through the door and entered Macy's office, Dane with a ball cap pulled low on the brow and his head down—the fewer people identifying him the better.

Amano waited in the hallway while I surmised Kyle went to greet everyone on the back patio, since it was a typical beautiful Sedona day to be outside.

Macy gave me a hug. “I've been worried about you, but Kyle said you've been doing some traveling.”

“Yes,” I perpetuated his excuse for my absence. Then I said, “I'd like to introduce you to my husband, Dane Bax.”

He removed his cap and extended his hand.

Her jaw dropped.

I continued. “Dane, this is Dr. Macy Stevens, Kyle's aunt. She owns and runs the retreat. She's been a huge help with the baby. And in general.”

“Then I'm indebted to you,” he told her in an earnest tone. “I'm afraid our situation has been less than ideal. Complicated. And very difficult on Ari. But necessary.” His jaw clenched for a moment. “Regrettably.”

I could see we'd stunned her. Obviously, from her expression, she knew who Dane was. Who he'd been. I had no idea of the appropriate connotation, since he was supposed to be dead yet stood here in her office.

Ever graceful, she recovered quickly. “It's a pleasure to meet you.” They shook. “And I'm so happy the two of you are together again.”

It was evident she didn't know what to say. I didn't blame her.

“It's a rather long story,” I explained. “I didn't know for some time that Dane had survived the explosion at 10,000 Lux. He was severely injured. Now he's working undercover with the FBI. So I'm sure you can understand how imperative it is to keep his … existence … quiet.”

“Of course.” She gave a slight smile, still looking a little confused and flustered but clearly trying to grasp the full scope of the situation. At any rate, she added, “Rest assured, both of you. Doctor-patient confidentiality is of utmost importance to me, but aside from that, as a friend, I certainly know how to keep a secret.”

“Thank you, Dr. Stevens,” Dane said. “We don't want to put you in any sort of compromising position, but I really wanted to be here today for my wife.”

“I can imagine this hasn't been an easy scenario for either of you. Please, have a seat.”

Dane pulled out a chair for me at her small conference table.

Macy told us, “We received a very generous donation this week, from your new foundation.”

My brows rose. “Already?” Mr. Conaway certainly knew what he was doing. The man was quite the miracle worker.

“Yes,” Macy confirmed. “Enough to bring in one more specialist for Chelsea so she has round-the-clock care, and all of her bills are covered for the next two years.”

Dane shot me a curious look.

“Chelsea is autistic and absolutely adorable. So loveable. I'll tell you all about her later. Tell you why I did this.”

“You don't have to explain or justify,” he said, a hint of awe in his eyes. “It's your money to do as you please. And if establishing a foundation to help autistic children is what you want to do, I'm one-hundred percent behind you. Proud of you, actually.”