“I have as much time as I wish. I won’t be pressured, Cameron.”

“Pressured? I’m not pressuring you. It’s the last thing I want. I know that’s a one-way street.” He drew a deep breath. “I’ve just got to have you. You tell me how to do it.”

She didn’t answer. Her mind was in chaos. She put her cheek on his back again. Leather, jarring contact, his words, which were sending deep tremors throughout her body. Feelings and visions were splintering into glittering shards all around her.

Her thighs resting against Cameron’s. She wanted to move them, rub against him.

Her breasts were taut, swollen, full.

I wanted my mouth on them, Cameron had said.

Cameron’s imaginary scenario was suddenly her own.

Her body naked against him, her thighs parted to accept him into her body.

She could feel him.

She bit her lower lip to keep back a groan. She clenched hard, and he must have felt the movement ripple through her body. “Stop fighting,” he said thickly. “You won’t regret it. I’ll give you anything you want from me. Stack up a dozen reasons, and I’ll knock them out one by one. Are you afraid of me?”

“No.” She was more afraid of herself and this fever that seemed to be possessing her. She could feel the waves of pure lust jolting through her. She could feel the flush heating her cheeks. She was shaking, wanting to draw him closer, wanting to tear off her clothes and make that naked vision reality. “Of course not.”

“I can’t take this,” he said harshly. “Celia’s is just ahead. I’m parking a few houses down.” He drew the motorcycle to the curb and turned off the engine. “I’ve got to have my hands on you.” He pulled her off the bike. “Don’t argue. You want it, too.” He pulled her toward the walkway leading to Celia’s backyard. He’d gone only a scant four yards when he released her wrist and jammed her up against the brick wall of the house. “God, I hope you want it. I can’t cheat and find out.” His mouth was on hers, opening it, tonguing wildly. “Not this time. Not with you.” His body was arching, hips rubbing catlike, pushing her back against the rough bricks. “Tell me you want me, Catherine.”

Want him? She was dizzy with wanting him. She couldn’t breathe. She was on fire.

“Tell me,” he said roughly. “I have to know. I can’t find out any other way.”

“That must … be very frustrating for you.” She reached up and started quickly unbuttoning her blouse with hands that were shaking. “Hell, yes, I want you. And if you don’t do something about it, I’m going to drag you down right here. This is too much to—” His lips were covering hers again. Tongue to tongue. Teeth nibbling, biting, tasting, possessing.

“Not here.” He lifted his head. “Come on.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the back garden. “I got a text from Celia. There’s supposed to be a summerhouse…” He glanced at her. “Oh, shit. Bad timing?”

“No, she told me the same thing.” She was half running to keep up with him. “I don’t care if she thinks she can set up arrangements for you. This isn’t about her.”

It was about need and the most intense desire she’d ever experienced, she thought hazily. She had to have him, and nothing else mattered.

“That’s what I was trying to tell you.” He threw open the door of the summerhouse and pulled her inside. Darkness. Moonlight streaming through long, arched windows, couches, and chairs with some kind of print upholstery. “This is the only thing that’s important.” His fingers were flying over the buttons of her blouse. “I have to—”

He wasn’t being quick enough. “I’ll do it.” She kicked off her shoes and brushed his hands aside. “I don’t need you for this.”

“Whatever.” His jacket dropped to the floor. “Just so you need me for—” He inhaled sharply as she came naked into his arms and began to rub against him. “Dear God.” He closed his eyes. “I’m so damn close. Give me one minute.”

“I don’t want to—” She moved away from him. She was panting. Her skin felt burning, aching yet satin smooth, inviting touch. Inviting him. “Where’s your control, Cameron?”

“I don’t know,” he said jerkily. “I don’t have it with you. Everything’s different with you.” He was naked, pulling her to the couch and tipping her down onto softness. “The first time is going to be fast. I’ll make it good, but I can’t—” He parted her thighs and sank into her.

Deep.

Hot.

Hard.

She groaned through clenched teeth, and her nails sank into his shoulders.

But he was groaning hoarsely, too, and moving, lifting her to meet every thrust, turning her, taking every bit of her.

Madness.

Striving.

Her stomach was clenching to give more, take more.

But she couldn’t take more no matter how she tried. And it was driving her insane.

She held him frantically tighter. “Cameron.”

“I know.” His tongue was in her mouth, taking deep. He raised his head. “Now … I’m sorry … it has to be now.”

“Sorry?” Her teeth sank into his shoulder. “Do it.”

He went deep, deeper than before. She hadn’t thought it was possible, but he was pinning her and stroking with an intensity that was causing her mouth to open in a silent scream.

Deeper.

Round.

Deeper.

Frantic.

She climaxed!

And the scream was no longer silent but had become a broken sobbing of sheer pleasure and relief.

She was only vaguely aware of Cameron’s low cry and his body stiffening above her. She was lost in a haze of pure physical sensation.

He was leaving her.

She instinctively tried to keep him inside her.

“Shh, not right now.” He pushed her away and kissed her breast. “Rest, then I’ll make this up to you.”

What was he talking about? Oh, yes, something about control or lack of it. But none of that was important now. What was important was that she felt empty without him and wanted him back, wanted the rhythm and the madness back.

She watched him move off the couch, the moonlight playing on that beautiful, strong body like a shadow lover. But she wanted to see more of him. She was feeling a crazy sense of possession. “Turn on the lamp.”

“No, I don’t want anyone looking down from the house and noticing that we’re here.” He took out his penlight, turned it on, and put it on the end table by the couch. “But I want to see you, too.”

The beam was only a little brighter than the moonlight, but she could see him. Oh, yes, superbly masculine and totally sexual. Purely sensual, muscular, tight belly and buttocks. And now that she had what she wanted, she was feeling a little awkward about it. Or perhaps it was because the first frantic, feverish need was subsiding, and her head was clearing.”It’s okay. You’re right, the light’s not necessary.”

“The hell it’s not.” His gaze was slowly going over her. “You’re magnificent, you know. All gold and sable and grace. I want to take my time and memorize every gorgeous inch of you.” He knelt before her, and his hands cupped her breasts and lifted them to his mouth. “Because I can’t see time or opportunity allowing us another occasion like this anytime soon.” He sucked gently, then teethed the nipple. “And you may decide I’m not what you want. I’ll try to rectify that clumsiness I showed last time, but it’s your decision.”

His teeth were causing her nipple to harden and the need to return. And he had to know it. She said, “You’re being very meek, but I think you’re full of shit.”

He lifted his head and smiled. “Partly. I have no intention of giving you or this up. I just have to find a way to keep it going that won’t interfere with your independence.” He parted her thighs, widened them, and began stroking the soft hair. “I admire and respect your independence. Did I ever tell you that?”

She was losing her breath again. “I can’t remember its coming up.”

“I do. But it’s going to get in the way. I found out something tonight. I kept thinking … mine.”