His approach firm and strong, there was nothing tentative in it. Van tasted like coffee and nectarines as his tongue teased my lips, and I willingly allowed him entrance. Moans and whimpers echoed throughout the cabin as his touch skirted under the long flannel shirt, freeing my breasts from my bra and taunting my nipples.

His green eyes blazed with the power of a raging forest fire as he stared down at me. “Take off my shirt.”

It wasn’t a request. It wasn’t even disguised as a request. Van’s tone left no room for argument as my fingers hurried with the buttons, one by one until the final one was freed.

Van pulled back the blankets as I freed my arms. With a quick move behind my back, he released the clasp on my bra, and without a word he removed it, sending it somewhere to the floor.

His breathing deepened as he stared. “It took every fucking ounce of restraint to not do that when I undressed you, and now, you’re even more gorgeous than I imagined.” He leaned down, sucking one nipple and then the other. As soon as his warm lips would disappear, the cool air would attack.

Blood rushed to my breasts, making them heavy as his five o’clock shadow abraded my skin.

“Van.” I couldn’t articulate any further.

His finger came to my lips. “You invited me, Julia. The rest is up to me.” Fire crackled in his stare. “That’s my rule. Can you follow rules?”

The answer was that I could, I had all my life, but at this moment, it felt like the opposite, as if I was breaking free.

“Julia.”

I nodded against his finger. Opening my lips, I took it in my mouth and sucked.

“Fuck,” he growled. His head dipped as he kissed lower, down my ribs, my stomach, and to the waistline of my panties.

No longer was I stranded in a blizzard. I was lost in a cloud of wanton lust unlike any I’d experienced before. My mind was incapable of thinking beyond the bed, beyond Van, and beyond the assault on my sensory system. This must be what it was like to be with a man who knew how to please a woman and did so without fanfare. Van’s touch was commanding yet enticing.

I couldn’t keep track of the ministrations of his lips or hands. Like a sculptor, he molded me to his liking, bringing me more pleasure than I knew existed.

Whatever Van was doing, I wanted more.

If I was asked when my panties disappeared, I wouldn’t be able to answer. If I was questioned on when his boxer briefs vanished, I’d be at an equal loss.