The Survivor (Eve Duncan #30)

Harder.

She could feel the tears run down her cheeks.

Heat.

Sensation after sensation.

Close.

Terribly close, but not there.

But he wouldn’t let her stop. No teasing now. He was taking her all the way…

And past it, way, way past it…

“We got the bed linens wet from the shower,” Riley said as she nestled closer to Cade. “I think it was probably your fault. You didn’t give me a chance to think about anything practical.”

“I’ll accept the blame.” His lips brushed her cheek. “Though I do have to remind you that at one point I noticed how damp you were and personally dried every inch of you… inside and out. I remember that distinctly.”

And so did Riley. She could still feel the rubbing of the toweling as he had slowly and sensuously massaged her. “Then perhaps I’d better accept part of the blame.”

“How generous,” he said dryly. “It was only a little damp. Are you uncomfortable? We could move down the hall to the room Maya assigned to me.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to move. I may not ever want to move again. I was just a little worried about whether these linens are antiques or something. It’s difficult knowing when some of the furniture seems to be centuries old and other pieces are fairly modern. I think the main theme is comfort and making guests feel at home.”

“It works for me,” Cade said. “We’ll replace them if there’s a problem.” He bent down and teasingly licked her nipple. “Stop worrying.”

“I’m not really worrying. I was just thinking about Maya.” She turned over and looked down at him with a grin. “I’m just surprised that she assigned you a room of your own. She might have tried to throw us together. She may be very focused, but she does have a conscience. She didn’t like it when she thought that bringing us to the island to help her was creating relationship problems. She mentioned it on the plane right before we landed. I think she’s trying to strike a balance.”

“She’d be too smart to be that heavy-handed,” he said. “And she’d know neither of us would tolerate being managed. If she steps in, it would be subtle. I’d just as soon she stay out of it entirely.” He made a face. “But that may not happen. She’s too strong. We can but hope.” He pulled her down and kissed her long, hard, until she was breathless. “At the moment, I like the way things are going just fine. I might have been a little too impatient, although we did have a good time. We’re not in the Eve and Joe ballpark yet; however, we’re talking and doing things together. We may have a bit further to go but we’re on our way. Right?”

She smiled at those words that were half bold, dynamic Cade and half tinged with explanation and apology. It was so like this complicated man who couldn’t help but try to shape the world to suit himself. Exasperating? Yes, but at this moment she was finding it endearing. She reached out and touched his lips. “I don’t know how much progress you think we’ve made. I never thought we had that big a problem. You have to admit we didn’t do much talking tonight. And I believe we’ve always had this part right,” she said gently. “But I’m always open to practice and experimentation.”

“I’ve noticed that about you.” He grinned slyly. “It’s a quality I admire and appreciate.” He moved over her. “Particularly the experimentation…”

There was a knocking on Riley’s door at five the next morning. It was immediately followed by Maya’s voice. “Time to get up, Riley. Sorry. Breakfast is in twenty minutes and Bailey is ready to invade you if you don’t show up on time.”

“I’ll be there.” She shook her head to clear it of sleep and then jumped up and headed for the shower. Cade wasn’t there, which was just as well given the threat of that invasion from Bailey. Sometime during the night he had told her he was going to leave early for the mountain, but it hadn’t really registered. Not surprising. Cade himself was the only facet of the night that had been important. Her body was still throbbing and singing with the memory of those hours. She tried to block it out as she took a quick shower, dressed, and then headed for the door.

“Good morning.” Bailey gave her a brilliant smile. “Isn’t this wonderful? We’re going to have such a good time.” She was sitting propped up against the wall across from the bedroom door and scrambled to her feet when she saw Riley. “There are so many things I can show you. I wasn’t sure that Mama was going to let you come up to the mountain, but I should have known she’d realize how special you are. I couldn’t sleep after she told me last night. I had to get up and go outside and look up at the mountain and think about today.” She took her hand and was pulling her toward the dining room. “Did you sleep?”

“Not very much. I had trouble, too.” Bailey’s enthusiasm was contagious, and Riley found herself grinning down at her. “Maybe not for the same reason. No one told me about all the things you’re going to show me. Now I’m getting excited, too. I hear the mountain is your favorite place. Why?”

“Because it’s alive. You’ll see for yourself. But you’ll do more. I can feel it.” She pulled Riley into the dining room where Maya was setting the table. “I told you she wouldn’t mind getting up, Mama. She was like me. She couldn’t sleep, either.”

“Maybe not quite like you,” Maya said. Her lips were twitching as she glanced at Riley. “But I’ll grant that you were probably both suffering from the same impatience and desire to break the rules. I’m glad that it worked out for both of you.” She gestured toward the kitchen. “Now go and help Tashi with the porridge. It may be the last decent meal we have for a while.”

Bailey nodded. “You’re right. I think I’ll be busy when I get there…” She was running toward the kitchen.

“Sit down. Relax.” Maya poured Riley a cup of coffee. “We have five or ten minutes. It was just easier to harness Bailey with activity before she exploded. She’s really excited about you and Cade coming to the mountain.”

Riley nodded. “She said there was so much to show me.” She took a sip of her coffee. “How right was she?”

“You won’t be disappointed,” Maya said. “Neither will Cade. It’s all coming together. That’s the only reason I didn’t object to this trip. It’s been a fairly hellish time for you so far. I want you to see that I won’t allow you to be cheated.”

“And this journey will prove it?”

“It will be a generous down payment.”