Isabeau didn’t care where they were, only that they were finally together. She missed his company. She missed his body. And she missed the things he could do to her body. He was watching her through half-closed eyes, his face in the shadows while the light cast a glow around her like a spotlight. She moved, a slow enticement meant to center his attention on her.

“How the hell did I ever make it without you?” he asked. He drew a mat from his backpack and spread it out over the top of what could have been a large sandbar resting on top of the smooth rock.

It was the first time that she’d noticed there was sand. She climbed up on it, standing just at the edge of the mat and curled her toes in the sand. It was incredibly fine. “How did this get here?”

Conner took her hand, drew her to him and wrapped his arms around her. Although she was standing on several inches of sand, she was still shorter than he was. He rubbed his chin on the top of her head. “My mother gave it to me as a gift when I was young. It was my birthday and I thought she’d forgotten. I used to use this as my hiding place.” He looked around. “I felt very grown up here and when puberty hit, my fantasy girl was always here to help me out.”

Her eyebrow shot up. “Really? What was she like?”

“Quite beautiful, but she never quite measured up in my mind to the real thing.” The smile faded from his voice. “I’ve had a year of bad nights, loneliness and an aching cock, Isabeau. I was lost without you.” He pulled back to look at her face. To judge her reaction. He didn’t like talking about his feelings, love and lust and anger mixed altogether.

“I know.” She rained kisses along his jaw. “I’m here. We’re together.”

He drew her down slowly, his grip like steel, forcing her to sprawl across the mat. She could feel the tension running through his body, and just like that her body responded with heat. Maybe the fire had never really cooled. His hands stroked every inch of her, as if he was painting her with smooth brushstrokes—or memorizing every inch of her. His inspection was thorough and he took his time. Just when she thought she might start moaning and pleading, with no warning at all he brushed those strong fingers over her wet mound and she cried out with the exquisite pleasure.