He took her other nipple in his mouth and sucked a little bit harder this time. Her back arched like a bow. He ran his hand over her skin and slid his palm against her mound. Her fingers gripped his shoulders a little more firmly, but she inched her thighs wider, giving him access and permission. He stroked his middle finger against the fabric of her suit, backwards and forwards, small movements that pressed shallowly against her opening but kept a firm and steady pressure against her clit.

She groaned and found her own rhythm. He followed her lead, letting her seek out the pressure she needed, knowing she wanted more from the frustrated little movements she made against him. But he didn’t give her what she was silently begging for. He needed to know he could control himself when all he really craved was to ignore the sensible reasoning of his brain and push deep inside.

Because maybe she was ready but maybe she wasn’t, and he’d rather go too slow than too fast and trigger a negative reaction.

He watched her face as her arousal built. Her eyelids closed, head tilted back. Her mouth opened a little as if in wonder, chest heaving like she was running.

Had she ever had an orgasm before? He faltered for a moment, losing the cadence before doubling down on his concentration and increasing the pressure of his touch.

He pinched her nipple gently between his thumb and forefinger. Her mouth opened, the tendons in her neck strained as her whole body went taut. She didn’t make a single sound, but Eban didn’t need her to in order to know she was flying over that edge.

She landed in a boneless rush and slumped against his chest. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed the top of her head.

They lay that way, their bodies beneath the surface of the water, limbs entwined, steam rising around them, until the frigid bite to the air had his nose turning numb.

At least they’d managed to forget about the murders for a time.

On cue, his work cell phone started to ring inside the cabin.

He swore. “I better get that.”

Darby pushed away and ducked her head beneath the surface before standing, oblivious to the effect she had on his body. Or maybe not so oblivious. She grinned at him as she climbed out of the tub and grabbed her robe. Pulling it around her shoulders but not doing up the belt.

His phone rang again.

He swore and pushed himself to his feet and saw her wide-eyed expression as she spotted his erection which his briefs did nothing to hide. He grabbed the robe, tied it and ignored the uncomfortable state of his body. He pulled the cover back on the hot tub, gathered up the bottles and picked up his Glock.

Darby held the door and he could see she wasn’t quite sure how to act now. He hustled her inside and then pulled her in for a quick kiss. He checked his cell which was on the kitchen counter near the door. Frowned when he saw the number.