“Erin, are you alright?”
The sobs froze in Erin’s throat. Her head snapped up and she peered down at Dare who was still stretched out on the cloth but this time his eyes were open. Those wonderful gray eyes were staring back at her.
“Dare,” she said, her voice breaking, “you’re back.” She scrambled to her knees and reached over to gather him in her arms. When he flinched she drew back. “I’m sorry. I’ll be gentle. I promise.”
“It’s okay,” Dare said in a hoarse whisper. “I’m fine.” His eyes roamed the hallway. “How did I get here?”
“I brought you out here,” she said gently. “You were about to step into Francine’s
room when a flying board slapped you. It knocked you out cold.”
“And you…brought me out here?” He looked around then slowly raised himself on his elbows. “But how?”
Erin shrugged. “I dragged you out. On the blanket.”
“You did what?” Dare’s eyebrows shot up. He struggled to sit up then swayed and put a hand to the back of his head. “I got clobbered real good,” he said with a groan.
“Yes you did, so move slowly. Very slowly.” She put out a hand and gently held his chin then turned his head ever so slightly. She shone the flashlight on his head. There was a gash at the back of it but thankfully it was not as bad as she’d expected and the blood had already begun to dry, matting the hair to his scalp. That was good. It would stem the flow.
Erin got up and held out both hands to Dare. “You’re soaking wet. We have to get you dry before you fall sick.”
“I can get up,” he said, ignoring her outstretched hands. He put out a hand and, using the wall as support, slowly and carefully got up from the floor and stood looking down at her.
She could see he was far from steady. Without hesitation she went to stand beside him and pulled his arm across her shoulders. Then step by step they made their way to the safety of Dare’s suite. There, Erin stripped him of every article of clothing then helped him into the bathroom where he washed away the grime from his recent repose in the pool of water on the floor.
Erin felt no embarrassment at Dare’s nakedness. All such cares were swallowed up in her concern for him. With the dispassion of a nurse she toweled him dry then placed a robe around his shoulders and led him to the bed where she tucked him in.
Dare leaned back into the pillows with a sigh then looked over at her standing by the bed. “Thank you,” he said. “You make an excellent nurse.” Then he waved his hand toward a huge walk-in closet. “There’s another robe hanging on the hook by the door. Why don’t you change? You’re all wet.”
Erin didn’t need to be told twice. She’d begun to shiver and she knew it was because of the damp clothes clinging to her body. She got the robe then went back to Dare’s bathroom where she shed her garments and took a quick shower. Within a few minutes she was back at Dare’s side.
The color had returned to his face and he was looking like his old self again, dark and deliciously sexy as the lantern cast its golden light on his bare chest. He’d pushed the robe away and now lay in the bed, na**d from the waist up. And he was watching her. Those gray eyes like molten steel now bored into her, making her blush.
Slowly, suggestively he licked his lips and her ni**les tightened in response. She breathed in, her nostrils flaring, and she clenched her hands by her side. What in heaven’s name was he doing to her? Even in his wounded state he still had the power to seduce her. Without a word and without a touch he was turning her insides to jelly.
And as the wind wailed its dirge outside Erin knew that at that moment what she wanted most was to be in Dare’s arms.
Dare lifted his arms and folded them behind his head, looking very much like an overlord surveying his property. “What do you want, Erin?” he asked, his voice a bold and confident whisper.
He knew. Heaven help her, he knew how much she wanted him.
“Erin?” As he said her name he cocked an eyebrow, looking very much the rake.
She swallowed. Then she decided to take the plunge. She wanted him. So why should she deny herself?
“I want…you,” she said, her voice thick with desire.
“Are you sure?” The look he gave her spoke volumes. She’d rebuffed him before and his look said he wasn’t taking any chances.
“I’m sure,” she said, her voice a wee bit stronger. Her body was clamoring for him and there was no denying it the release it craved. Not now, when her blood surged with the heat of passion. Certainly not now as the wind swirled outside, making her shiver for want of those muscled arms around her.
“Are you begging?” His eyes, glittering like diamonds in the light, danced with amusement.
She lowered her eyes and bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling with laughter. Then she lifted her chin and looked him straight in the eyes. “I’m begging,” she admitted and she said it without apology.
Dare’s lips curled into a smile. He threw back the covers and held out his hands. “Come.”
This time when Erin saw Dare’s nakedness she felt the heat rush to her face. The Dare she had bathed was very different from the one who now lay bold and bare in front of her, that special part of his anatomy standing straight and proud.
After the trauma that the night had brought she needed him. And so, stifling the caution that would normally keep her in check, she climbed into Dare’s bed and into his arms.
This time when they made love it was gentle and sweet. As she lay on her side in front of him he pressed himself against her back and wrapped his arms around her. When he kissed the back of her neck, sending shivers up her spine, she sighed and pushed back against him. When he cupped her br**sts, now full and heavy in his hands, she arched her back and moaned until he pinched and rolled the taut ni**les with his fingers, making her sweet spot moisten in response.
When he slid inside her, so thick and firm, her body was ready to receive him. Then his hand slid over her belly and down to her center of sensation and he began to stroke so softly like the touch of a feather then faster and faster, until all the colors of the rainbow exploded between her legs and shot like fireworks to every part of her body, making her cry out in release.