Theyd both known how quickly the weather could shift in the bay and how dangerous it was to be in a small boat when the waves kicked up. But they both loved pushing their limits, daring each other to try something even more outrageous.
A shiver skittered through her body and Tenley pulled the quilt up over her arms. It had been her idea to sail out to the island and spend the night. Even though the wind had been blowing directly into shore and theyd gotten a late start, theyd tacked out, the small Sunfish skimming over the bay at a sharp angle.
But sailing against the wind had taken longer than shed anticipated and by the time theyd reached open water, it was nearly dark. Tommy had insisted that they head back toward the lights, but Tenley had been adamant, daring him to go on. A few minutes later, a gust of wind knocked the boat over.
It was usually easy to right the boat in the calm waters of the harbor, but in the bay the currents worked against them, exhausting them both. Tenley could see the outline of the island and suggested they swim for it. But in the dark, it had been impossible to judge how far it was. In the end, Tommy had left to get help.
Theyd found her clinging to the boat, four hours later. Theyd found his body the next morning, washed up on a rocky beach north of town. Tenley shook her head, trying to rid herself of the memories. It had been nearly a month since shed last dreamt of him. In many ways, shed longed for the nights when the dreams wouldnt haunt her. But sometimes, the dreams were good. They were happy and she could be with her brother again.
She threw the covers off her body and stood up beside the bed, stretching her arms over her head. The room was chilly, the winter wind finding its way inside through all the tiny cracks and crevices in the old cabin. Outside, the storm still raged.
Tenley rubbed her eyes, then wandered out of the bedroom toward the kitchen. She rarely slept more than four or five hours at night. For a long time, shed been afraid to sleep, afraid of the nightmares. But shed learned to cope, taking the good dreams with the bad.
The dogs were curled up in front of Alexs door and they looked up as she passed. Tenley stirred the embers of the fire and tossed another log onto the grate. As she watched the flames lick at the dry birch bark, her mind wandered back to the kiss shed shared with Alex in the kitchen.
Shed been tempted to let it go on, to see how far hed take it. The attraction between them was undeniable. But she wasnt sure she wanted to act upon it. She preferred uncomplicated sex and Tenley sensed that sex with Alex might be like opening a Pandoras box of pleasure.
Restless, she got up and began to pace the perimeter of the room. She had no idea what time it was. Tenley had given up clocks long ago, preferring to let her body decide when it was time to sleep and when it was time to wake up. Besides, since Tommys death, shed never slept through an entire night so what was the point of a schedule?
Tenley grabbed a throw from the back of the leather sofa and wrapped it around her, then slowly walked down the hall to the guest-room door. Dog and Pup were still asleep on the floor, pulling guard duty, defending her safety. Perhaps the dogs knew better than she did about the dangers that lay beyond the door.
Up, she whispered, snapping her fingers softly. They both rose, stretched, then trotted off to her bedroom. Holding her breath, Tenley opened the door and peeked inside.
Alexs face was softly illuminated by the bedside lamp and Tenley crossed the room to stand beside the bed. His limbs were twisted in the old quilt, a bare leg and arm exposed to the chilly air in the room. Tenley let her gaze drift down from his handsome face and tousled hair, to the smooth expanse of his chest and the rippled muscles of his belly.
An ache deep inside her took her breath away and she felt an overwhelming need for physical contact, anything to make her feel again. Shed pushed aside her emotions for so long that the only way to access them was to lose herself in pleasure. Until now, all she really required was a man who wouldnt ask for anything more than sex. But now, watching Alex sleep, she yearned for a deeper connection, a way back from the dark place where shed lived for so long.
Was he the light she was looking for? Tenley rubbed her eyes with her fingers. Then reaching out, she held her hand close to his skin, surprised at the heat he generated. If she were warm and safe, she could forget the dream, forget the guilt. All she needed was just a few minutes of human contact.
A shiver skittered through her and without considering the consequences, she lay down beside him, tucking her backside into the curve of his body. Tenley felt him stir behind her and she closed her eyes, waiting to see what might happen.
He pushed up on his elbow and gently smoothed his hand along her arm. She glanced over her shoulder to find a confused expression on his face. Slowly, she rolled onto her back, their gazes still locked. Then, Tenley slipped her hand around his nape and gently pulled him closer, until their lips touched.
The kiss sent a slow surge of warmth through her body as he gently explored her mouth with his tongue, teasing and testing until she opened fully to his assault. With a low moan, he pulled her body beneath his. They fit perfectly against each other and Tenley arched into him, desperate to feel more.
The memories of the nightmare slowly gave way to a tantalizing pleasure. Alex ran his hand along her leg and beneath the T-shirt, then stopped suddenly, as if surprised that she wore nothing beneath. Giving him permission to continue, she slipped her fingers beneath the waistband of his boxers, searching for an intimate spot to explore.
But as the touching grew more intense, the clothing they wore seemed to get in the way. Frantic to feel his naked body against hers, Tenley sat up and tugged her T-shirt over her head, then tossed it aside. She heard his breath catch and she smiled. It feels better without clothes.
He grinned, then skimmed his boxers off, revealing the extent of his arousal. Unafraid to take what she wanted, Tenley wrapped her fingers around his hard shaft and gently began to stroke him. The caress brought a moan from deep in his throat and his fingers tangled in her hair as he drew her into another long, deep kiss.
Am I awake or am I dreaming? he asked, his lips soft against hers, his voice ragged.
Youre dreaming, she whispered.
It doesnt feel like a dream, he countered. He cupped her breast with his palm and ran his thumb over her nipple. Youre warm and soft. I can hear you and taste you.
Close your eyes, Tenley said. And dont open them until I get back.
She crawled off the bed, but he grabbed her hand to stop her retreat. Dont leave.
Ill be right back. I promise. Close your eyes.
He did as he was told and Tenley hurried out of the room to the bathroom. She rummaged through the cabinet above the sink until she found the box of condoms, then pulled out a string of plastic packets.
When she returned to the room, he was sitting up in bed, waiting for her. She held up the condoms. I think we might need these.
He chuckled. All of those?
Tenley felt a blush of embarrassment. It had been a while since shed had a man in her bed. Once might not be enough. Yes, she said. All of them.
I think you might be overestimating my abilities, he teased.
And you might be underestimating mine, she replied.
I think you might be overestimating my abilities, he teased.
And you might be underestimating mine, she replied.
When she got close to the bed, he grabbed her hand and yanked her on top of him. Tell me what you want. Ill do my best to comply.
She wanted to lose herself in the act, to let her mind drift and her body take flight. She wanted to forget the past and the present and future and just exist in a haze of pleasure. She wanted the warmth and touch of another human being. And most of all, she wanted that wonderful, exhilarating feeling of release with a man moving deep inside her.
She tore a packet off the strip and opened it, then, with deliberate care, smoothed it down over his erection. Without any hesitation, Tenley straddled his hips and lowered herself on top of him. When he was buried to the hilt, she sighed. This is what I want, she murmured, her eyes closed, her pulse racing.
Me, too, he whispered.
ALEX HADNT BEEN prepared for how good it would feel. Maybe because it had all been so unexpected. Hed always taken his time charming a woman, knowing that once he got her to bed, his interest would soon wane. But from the moment Tenley had lain down beside him, Alex knew something remarkable was about to happen.
This wasnt some game he was playing, a diversion that he found interesting until something better came along. This was pure, raw desire, stripped of all artifice and expectations. He closed his eyes and sighed, reveling in the feel of her warmth surrounding him.
He didnt care what it meant or where it would go after this. All he knew was that he wanted to possess her, even it if was just for an hour or two on a snowy January night.
His fingers tangled in her hair and he drew her to his mouth. Though she didnt possess any of the attributes he normally found attractive in a woman, he couldnt seem to get enough of her. Her skin was pale, but incredibly soft. And her breasts, though small, were perfect. She was everything hed never had beforeand never wanted. Alex smoothed his hands over her chest and down her torso to her hips. Then he sat up, wrapping her legs around his waist and burying his face in the curve of her neck.
Tenley moved against him, her head tipped forward and her eyes closed. Her hair fell across her face and he reached up and brushed it aside, watching as desire suffused her features. Though he wanted to surrender to his own passion, Alex found it far more fascinating to watch her.
The intensity of her expression made him wonder what was going through her mind. She seemed lost in her need, searching for release in an almost desperate way. He reached down between them and touched her. A soft cry slipped from her lips and Alex knew he could give her what she wanted.
Her breath came in deep gasps and he focused on the sound, trying to delay the inevitable. And then, she was there, dissolving into spasms, her body driving down once more, burying him deep inside her.
It was all Alex could take, watching her orgasm overwhelm her. He surrendered to the sensations racing through his body and a moment later, found his own release.
Tenley nestled up against him, her arms draped around his neck, her lips pressed to his ear. Oh, that was nice, she whispered.
Umm, he replied, too numb to put together a coherent sentence. Very nice.
She drew back, a wicked smile curling her lips. You want to do it again?
No, not quite yet, he said with a chuckle. Just let me catch my breath for a second. Alex wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her down beside him, dragging her leg up over his hip. This is a nice way to spend a snowy night. She shivered and Alex rubbed her arm. Are you cold?