safety. Because safety was very important. It wouldn’t do to let her slip and hit her head again. Besides, he liked the press of her against his still-sensitized skin. He liked the feel of her.
“Am I too heavy?” she asked.
“No.” His arm had gone numb and tingly but he wasn’t letting go. There was a niggling feeling in the back of his head. Or maybe it was the voice of experience. When they separated things were going to get awkward. Skin to skin, things were going well, but they were still strangers. Exchanging body fluids didn’t alter that fact. He ran a hand down her spine, back up and over the curve of her shoulder. The skin on her arms had goose pimples. “Are you cold?”
“A little,” she admitted.
“The temperature in the rooms isn’t much better than aboveground, the cheap bastards. Come on.” He helped her to her feet and she stood there for a moment, watching him uncertainly. Eyes wide and her kiss-swollen mouth open the tiniest bit.
His cock twitched, returning to life already, wanting round two. What a wonderful idea. He’d have more control this time and make her come with his dick. Make it really worth her while. Feel all those delicate muscles inside her pussy milking him dry. He would absolutely love making her come again. But he held back and waited for cues in this uncharted territory.
She lowered her gaze and took in his hopeful cock. “Impressive recovery time.”
The more she looked at him, the harder he got. Damn it.
Louise rubbed the side of her thumb over her bottom lip, started to hold a hand across her breasts. Then she seemed to realize what she was doing and frowned. Her hands fell back to her sides and her skittish gaze roamed the room.
Now she decided to get shy. Awkward as shit.
Adam turned off the water, willing his half-on out of existence. It didn’t work. They would just have to ignore it. He grabbed a towel off the ledge for her but didn’t hand it over. No, he had a better idea. Instead he encircled her waist with it and tucked the end in neatly. He made a skirt for her.
She ducked her head but he saw her grin. Her arms rose to fold across her breasts again but he caught her wrists, held her open to him. Memories of sunshine and blue skies from back on Earth had nothing on Louise. She outdid them all.
“Your tits are too pretty to hide,” he said.
Her tongue played behind her cheek. “Well, thank you.”
Adam ignored his dick and watched her—his wife. What did he have to offer her? What could he do for her now? Her stomach rumbled, its timing perfect.
“You hungry?” he asked.
“You cook?” She sounded almost startled.
He tutted. “Ye of little faith.”
Chapter Four
Day Four
Clusters of candle lights blinked on each table and the warm glow reflected off the polished stone walls. The bar had to be close to capacity, nearly every table occupied, and the noise levels were high. Customers’ chatter sounded a steady drone in Louise’s ears and the bass line of the music moved through her, slow and thick and as rich as honey.
She felt a little mesmerized by it all after the relative peace and quiet of working in the garden all day. Caught in its spell.
When had she last gone out like this, somewhere with light and music and laughter? Not since Con had died, nearly two years ago. Thoughts of him hurt in the way they always did, the familiar ache settling in the dead center of her chest. She couldn’t even remember when anger had slid into acceptance. There hadn’t been time for grief. No one had made him take the bribes. It had been his choice alone, and it had ended up ruining her life for a time.
But maybe now she had hope. She hoped there was hope.
On board the ship she’d stayed in her cabin, as per instructions. Back on Earth, when not giving testimony, she’d been kept under lock and key like a dirty secret. But this, with Adam beside her still eating his dinner, an arm slung across the back of her chair…this was