“Why?” I asked back just as softly. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice you were gone?”
“I thought I’d be long gone before you did,” she admitted, not looking me in the eye. “I didn’t realize how far away the road was.”
I sighed. “If I didn’t find you, Rabbit, you could have died from exposure.” I lifted her chin up and made her look at me. “Do you think I could have lived with myself if that happened?”
Her chin quivered. “I didn’t think you cared. That you would just be happy I was gone. I didn’t really think you’d come look for me.”
My heart clenched at her words. “No, Rabbit, the problem is that I care too much,” I confessed. My hands moved and cupped her cheeks, stroking the downy skin. “And, it scared me, so I said some dreadful things to push you away. But I didn’t mean them. I’m so sorry I ever said them.”
Silently, we regarded each other. Slowly, I brought my hand around her neck and pulled her closer, my eyes never leaving hers. “Tell me you believe me, Rabbit. Tell me you forgive me,” I pleaded.
Her whispered ‘yes’ escaped just as I crashed my mouth onto hers, pulling her against me. I poured everything I was feeling into that kiss.
My relief.
My apology.
My need.
My want.
My desire.
All for her.
Her arms wound around my neck, pulling herself closer. I shifted her body and soon she was straddling my lap, our chests pressed together, hands roaming, stroking and caressing each other gently. Eventually, I pulled back and gazed down at her. My thumb traced over her bottom lip as we both struggled to catch our breath. “What about what you said? What if there is someone …?” her voice trailed off.
I shook my head. “Later, Rabbit. We’ll deal with that later. You’re here. With me. And while you’re here, you’re mine,” I replied, my voice low. “You belong to me. Right now, you belong to me. Understand?”
“Yours, Joshua. Yes.”
I claimed her lips again.
Mine.
Chapter Twelve
Joshua
Warmth. Sweet-smelling, delicious warmth. My arms tightened around the soft form pressed into my chest and I settled deeper into the covers. Gentle lips brushed against my chest, up my neck and across my jaw. Slowly, I opened my eyes and smiled into the vivid blue eyes of Rabbit, who was gazing up at me nervously. “Hi,” she whispered.
“Hi, yourself,” I whispered back, leaning down to kiss her. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I ... umm ... I wasn’t sure if I was awake or if this was just a good dream.” Her voice was shy and hesitant.
I quirked my eyebrow at her. “Just a good dream, Rabbit? Well, that’s just not … acceptable.” Grinning, I quickly rolled us, making sure not to hurt her and slowly lowered my head. “Let’s see if I can’t make that an amazing dream …” my voice trailed off, sounding low and husky. I lightly grazed my lips on hers, and then drew her bottom lip into mine. Gently, I nibbled on the plump flesh, before slowly drawing my tongue along the top, teasing her. The quiet whimper at the back of her throat made me smile, and I covered her mouth with mine, groaning as I felt her tongue reach out to twine with mine. My senses exploded and I gathered her to me carefully, deepening the kiss. Her hands reached up, curling into my hair, pulling me closer and responding so sweetly that another groan broke from my throat. Shifting my weight, I rolled us again to the side and my hands found their way under the t-shirt she was wearing and began a circuit, slowly caressing her skin, needing to feel her warmth. Desire raged through me and I drew back, panting as I looked down at her. Her wide eyes gazed back pleading. “Don’t stop, Joshua … please.”
“Rabbit, I’m afraid I’ll hurt you. I can’t do that …” I whispered, pleadingly, needing her to understand why I had stopped downstairs, why I was stopping now.
She shook her head. “You won’t.” Her hands pulled me down closer. “You won’t …” she breathed, her tongue flicking out, touching my mouth, gently trailing its sweet moisture across my lips. “Please, Joshua.”
I groaned deeply and gave in to the need I had been fighting since I carried her up from the hot tub and placed her back where she belonged. With me; in my bed, in my arms.
The need to make her mine filled me. Completely. My mouth hungered for her taste, my hands were desperate for the feel of her skin under them and my body wanted to possess and claim her. I needed to hear her calling my name as she came. I needed it now. She was right, I would have her now, and I wouldn’t hurt her.