Leaning forward, he kissed her, his mouth traveling from her lips to her ear, then down over the arch of her throat to linger, his tongue washing over her in leisurely, heated circles. When her breath grew a little ragged he said against her throat, “I want you to kiss me, Ginny. Will you?”

His soft question was unexpected. She hesitated, then found his mouth with her own. She kissed him, let him kiss her, his free hand moving behind her neck to hold her in a light clasp. Breathless, some of her restraint melted away.

For the first time in their relationship, she felt in control of herself and the situation. It was a heady emotion after all the years of uncertainty, of frustration and defeat.

As her breath came faster, the hot sweeping rush of desire rose high, so that when Steve lay her gently back on the blankets, she made no protest. The fire was lower now, its light faint and wavering, rosy pools ringed with shadows. His hand explored her body, slow velvety caresses followed by fierce, needy kisses, a stimulating contradiction that sent shivers of desire through her.

When he began to pull the camisa over her head, she put a hand on his arm. Immediately, he paused.

“Only if you want it, Ginny.”

“If I tell you to stop, you will?”

“Yes. If that’s what you want.” He released the light cotton, watching her in the soft gloom of fire and shadows.

“I’m not sure what I want.” It was true. Part of her wanted to yield, to give herself up to the exhilarating oblivion he could so easily induce, but another part of her was still testing the boundaries of their relationship.

Steve sat up, raked a hand through his hair, his smile taut as he blew out a breath. “I know what I want, but what is more important is how you feel, Ginny.”

Amazed, she laughed softly. “I never thought I’d hear you say anything like that, Steve Morgan!”

“That makes two of us, green-eyes.”

Relaxed again, sharing laughter, she leaned into him, this time with no reservations as he held her and stroked her gently. When his hands moved to cup her breasts, teasing her taut nipples until they swelled, she reveled in it, in the power she had to make Steve’s breath come swift and harsh, to see the naked passion in his face. Her breasts throbbed, and a slow, steady pulse ignited between her thighs, spread through her body when he kissed her burning flesh gently, drawing the taut button of her nipples into his mouth, until she forgot everything but the delicious sweep of sensations.

At last he stretched out beside her, and she arched her body up for his touch. Her earlier fear had vanished forever, the nightmares fading at last. There was only room for Steve now, and he filled the night with his caresses, her world with reassurances.