Eban stroked his hands over her body, soothing her until her muscles gradually relaxed and the tension eased. Patiently, he touched her, caressed her, teased her until desire once again began to spool inside.

The door was open and heat and light from the fire filtered through so that she didn’t feel the chill. He kissed and coaxed until she forgot she’d freaked out. Forgot that there was something to freak out about. She was desperate for more and itching for him to be inside her. She shifted her knee on top of his thigh in an effort to move closer.

Eban was kissing her, and she loved it. Loved the taste of him. Loved the reality of him. Was terrified she might love him, even though she hadn’t allowed herself to acknowledge that yet. He had to know though. Had to guess. He made her light up from the inside even in the worst of circumstances.

He slid his hand lower, slipping inside her panties, one finger sliding along the hot slick opening. He eased his finger inside and pressed his palm against her clit and she jolted with pleasure.

She blinked, repeatedly, and found him watching her with an intensity that made her shiver.

“Good?”

She swallowed and nodded. Unable to speak. She half expected to tense up again, but her body clenched around him and it didn’t feel even remotely scary. Her body craved him inside her. Craved that connection.

He kept up a slow rhythm even though she began urging him silently to go a little faster. As good as it felt, she wanted more. He inserted another finger and she gasped then bit her lip, loving the firm but gentle touch of him turning her inside out.

“Do you have a condom?” she whispered. “Because I have some in my laptop case if you don’t.”

He laughed and withdrew his hand. “You carry condoms in your laptop case?”

Warmth entered her cheeks. “It seemed like the best place as I rarely leave it behind.”

He smiled and everything inside her went from warm to red-hot. “I like that you are prepared but wait here two seconds. I think I have some in my bag.”

He went over to his kit bag and unzipped a pocket.

She lay on top of the covers almost afraid to move. He was back quickly, lying on his side staring at her, holding the foil square between them.

Chapter Thirty-One

“Before you start wondering why I carry condoms in my go bag, I need to tell you something.” His voice was thick and low with the import of what he was trying to communicate to her. “I haven’t been with anyone since before you were kidnapped.”

She blinked at him in surprise. “What?”

It was time he admitted a few uncomfortable truths. “Ever since you propositioned me last summer, I’ve known there was a good chance if I found myself anywhere in your vicinity, we would end up naked if that was still what you wanted.”