"Yeah." He stared at the windshield wipers as they whumped back and forth, thinking how long ago that day had been. Less than a memory. Almost a dream.
Heading into the motel office, he paid cash and got a key. There was a small selection of toiletries and snacks, so he picked up a couple of toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap. Then he headed back to the Hummer and drove them around to their room. It was an end unit, as he'd requested, and it opened to the back parking lot rather than the road.
There wasn't another car in sight back here, though there had been two or three parked out front.
He pulled into a spot, got out, rounded to her door. He was drenched by the time he got there, the rain pouring down on him.
"Run for it—"
"No," she said, and slid from her seat, her body contacting his all the way down.
The rain streamed over them both, leaving her shirt molded to her body and her hair hanging in wet trails.
That fast, emotion swamped him. That fast, lust roared.
Slamming the door shut, he backed her against it, his hands coming up to cup her cheeks, to hold her still. He pinned her with his weight and lowered his mouth to hers. She opened with a sigh and tipped her face to his. It was all the invitation he needed. With a growl, he took the kiss deeper, and felt a primitive satisfaction when she let him in.
He ran his hands along the curves of her waist, the soft swells of her breasts, a little rough, a lot uncouth. She didn't seem to mind, her hands cupping his ass and dragging him closer.
Need and want. Desire for her pounded him. He'd long ago washed the blood from his hands at the first service station they'd stopped at, and now the rain felt like it washed away all his sins. The past. The pain.
In this moment, there was only Amber, the scent of her skin and the smell of the rain. Her hair was wet, heavy silk in his hands. And under the cool sheets of rain, they made their own heat.
He moved his lips to her throat, tasting her, his teeth nipping lightly, his tongue soothing the hurt. She fisted his shirt, her breath coming in short, sharp pants as she clung to him.
Then she spun him so it was his back against the Hummer and her weight pressed against his, her curves melding with his lines and angles.
Without a word, he scooped her in his arms, holding her against his chest as he strode to the room and unlocked the door.
Chapter Five
Kai tossed the bag of toiletries on the dresser as he kicked the door shut behind him.
The wet material fighting his every move, he dragged Amber's shirt off over her head. The delay was torture, and pleasure, slowing everything down so he savored every breath she took, every gasp, every sigh. And then finally the shirt was gone and she was in his arms, bare arms and shoulders, bare torso, except for a black lacy bra. He didn't take it off. Only pushed the cups down, leaving her breasts naked and pushed high in luscious invitation.
He kissed her neck then her collarbone, his thumb brushing the tip of her breast. She gasped and arched against him as he lowered his head and sucked her nipple to a sweet, taut peak, then did the same with the other, leaving them both pink and wet.
"Kai," she whispered, her hands flat against his chest. Permission or protest, for a second he couldn't be sure.
Then she pushed at his shirt, the sodden material stubborn against her efforts, and he had his answer. In the end, he struggled out of his clothes as she worked her wet jeans down the length of her legs, both of them huffing and laughing.
"Well worth the effort," he said when at last they were both naked.
Through the narrow slit in the curtains, a thin stream of light eeked from the single lamp that illuminated the back lot. It was enough to paint her in shades of glitter and gold.
He'd been waiting for her for decades. Dreaming of her for eternity, the memories teasing him until they caused him physical pain. And now she was here. She was warm and willing, her skin silky and still damp, her eyes heavy lidded as she watched him.
She was perfect.
He was on fire; he was so hard he thought the slightest touch would make him burst.
Easing her back, he tumbled with her to the bed.
He was too rough as he pushed her legs apart. He knew that, but she didn't seem to care. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders as she pressed her mouth to his, her lips open, her tongue seeking. She tasted him as he tasted her, deep, wet.
Her legs came around his hips, the soft curls between her thighs brushing the head of his erection.
Reaching between them, he stroked her soft folds, found her wet, ready. And with a low growl he pushed two fingers inside her, without finesse or tact. She welcomed him, her hips arching against his hand. She was slick and hot and so damned tight.
"Kai, now," she breathed, words so soft they were almost without sound.