Read Dateline: Kydd and Rios for Free Online Page B

asked.
    A shadow fell over his youthful face, softening the harsh angles with tender longing. “Because we’re both hurting, Nikki. Because you’re leaving me.” His gaze was languid with the heat arcing between their bodies. “Because I love you.”
    She knew that, too. How could she not have known? Her love for him was so alive it colored all her days. It grew with every beat of her heart. They were so good together, how could he not love her the same way?
    “Don’t make me go,” she whispered.
Don’t make me leave you behind, where everything we’ve shared will fade into memories.
    “I won’t forget you, Nikki. I promise. I’ll come for you when I can.”
    A part of her died with his words. He didn’t understand, and she didn’t have the courage to explain. Although she would love him tonight, in the morning she would still leave him. Another love left her no choice.
    How neatly the tables turned, she thought sadly, letting her gaze roam over his face. She soaked in every clean angle and tender plane, the high arch of his cheeks and the expressive curve of his lips. With the tips of her fingers, she stroked his hair, brushing it behind his ear, memorizing the silky texture, the ebony color, and the way it fell through her hand. Long after she left him, she’d remember how it felt to hold him as a woman. As she touched him, she watched his lids grow heavy, his thick lashes lower to rest on his cheeks. She loved him.
    And Josh knew no one loved her more than he, not in this life, not tonight. He lowered his mouth to hers again, without any hesitation, without holding back. He plundered and tasted and teased until she was with him on every move, anticipating with him the sweet mysteries still to be explored. He felt her breath catch as he slipped her T-shirt off her shoulders, heard her low moan as he unbuttoned his shirt and gathered her close, bringing her breasts against the warmth of his chest.
    His muscles tightened. His heart beat with even greater force. Nikki was his, and he gave free rein to the sweet ache growing in his loins, letting his feelings pour out of him.
    Nikki arched against him. His body was satin-sheathed steel, hard muscle and sinew covered with warm, dark skin. He felt like heaven to touch. She pushed his shirt off his shoulders and felt his hands on the buckle of her belt. Never once did he stop kissing her.
    Garment by garment, their clothing fell to the floor, his shirt following her T-shirt, his jeans following her shorts. Both belt buckles clattered against the wood planks in a muted counterpoint to their soft moans and sighs. When they were both stripped to their underwear, Josh felt a mental hesitation that in no way stopped him from sliding his hand beneath her panties. This was her first time, he reminded himself even as he caressed the silky skin below her waist.
Her first time
. The implications suddenly became clear, and just short of his destination, he retreated.
    But he didn’t stop kissing her. His mouth devoured hers hungrily, priming her for the boldness of his next move. Holding the nape of her neck with his palm, he lifted her deeper into the kiss and slowly urged her hand down the front of his body. It was quite possible that his soon-to-be-lover had no idea what she was getting herself into.
    Her fingers trailed delicately down his chest, his abdomen, and farther, until his breath caught in a groan.
    “That’s what you do to me, Nicolita, what you’ve been doing to me for months.” He buried his face in the golden veil of her hair, reveling in her tentative exploration and the fireworks she set off with her touch. At her soft whisper in his ear, he chuckled, low and throatily. “Don’t worry. We’ll be a perfect fit. I promise.” With another bold move, he pushed her panties off her hips and down her legs, then began his own sweet exploration.
    The heat and humidity of the night closed around them like a sultry cocoon as they stretched out on the bed,