He hugged her tight. “You are beautiful. Hell, woman, get a clue.”
She snuggled against his chest. “I’m glad you think so.” She put her arms around him and held him tight. “You know I can’t help being protective of you, Sam.”
He laughed and scooped her up. “I feel the same way toward you.” But he heard that little caution in her voice. She was serious about something and didn’t think he was going to like it—which meant he probably wouldn’t.
He carried her to the bed and tossed her onto the mattress, coming down beside her and dragging up the covers. “Just say it.”
“Do you think General Ranier is working with Whitney?” When he remained silent, she lifted her hand to his face. “I ask because he appears to be some of the time, but I can’t be certain. Would he betray you to serve Whitney?”
Sam swore to himself, detesting that he couldn’t give her a straight answer. “General Ranier is a patriot. He loves his country and has dedicated his life to serving it.”
She continued to look at him, not saying a word, yet answering him very eloquently with her silence.
Sam pulled her close, kissing her hard. “Go to sleep, baby. I’m waking you up in an hour or so.” He kissed her again, his throat aching. “Just go to sleep.”
CHAPTER 15
Sam kept his eyes closed, afraid if he opened them, he would know everything had been a drug induced illusion. His hand reached out and beside him, the bed was empty. His heart skipped a beat and his mind rejected the idea that making love with Azami had all been a dream. For a moment, he was the young boy in the darkened doorway, terrified of moving, of breathing even, because the world would come crashing down.
He inhaled, and her fragrance still lingered in the room mixed with their combined scents. He’d made love to her three times, waking her again and again and still, it wasn’t enough to sate him. He wanted her again with every bit as much intensity and passion as he had the first time. There was no doubt in his mind, he would always feel that way about her.
Be real, baby, he murmured in his mind, reaching for her. Needing her to be real.
Silly man. I’m fixing your coffee.
He let his breath out slowly and opened his eyes. You’re a goddess.
Her soft laughter warmed him, and he lay there a moment just savoring the feeling of being cared for—of love and laughter.
Morning light poured through the window, glowing through a light mist. Outside, tree branches swayed gently, the leaves rustling to add to the music of the running water. The rays of the sun streamed through the tree branches, golden spotlights playing over the rippling stream. The fine layer of mist added a feeling of being cocooned in his own world. He picked up the pillow beside him and took Azami’s scent deep into his lungs before stroking a caress over the pillowcase as he replaced it neatly beside his own. Throwing off the covers, he stretched lazily before padding barefoot and na**d to the window to look out into the forest.
A small herd of deer moved along the trail leading to the stream. Dipping their muzzles, some drank while others served as guards. His world. He’d never really seen and appreciated it before. The forest and outdoors had always brought him a semblance of peace, but having Azami in his life had changed his perspective on things. He found himself smiling for no reason at all as he turned back to pad across the room to the bathroom.
When he emerged from his shower, a towel riding low on his hips, she was there, looking so beautiful he couldn’t breathe for a moment. She carried a mug of fresh coffee. The aroma blended with her scent, a welcoming start to any morning. He found himself smiling like an idiot as he took the mug and bent to kiss her.
“You look beautiful this morning.”
Her hair was back up in that twisty thing she liked, each ornate pin in place, with those few artful long strands hanging down around her neck and shoulders making her look sexier than ever to him. He wanted to remove those pins slowly all over again. She wore her silken robe, and clearly nothing else beneath it, but she smelled like heaven, so she’d had her bath. Even her hair had a fresh, citrus fragrance he couldn’t quite place but he found alluring. His free hand curled around the nape of her neck. She looked serene, demure even, yet her eyes, when she looked at him, held liquid heat, bumping his pulse rate up.
“How can you look so innocent after last night?”
She gave him her mysterious smile. “A woman must have her secrets, Sammy.” Her smile widened and she walked on bare feet over to the neatly folded clothing on top of the dresser.
Sam took a slow sip of coffee, watching her intently. She moved like water, a flowing, fluid motion so effortless she seemed not to displace the air around her. He had a difficult time detecting any surge of energy whatsoever around her. She was at such harmony with her surroundings, she blended in, rather than stood out.
The silk slid from her shoulders inch by inch, slowly revealing the rising phoenix, the long intriguing tail feathers, so lacy, curling along the curve of her bu**ocks. He nearly choked on his coffee, and his body reacted instantly to the sight of her na**d body.
“I’m going to have a hell of a hard-on all day, thanks to you,” he accused.
She turned her head, a graceful movement, her long lashes fluttering as she observed him with her dark eyes. “I am glad, Sam. I want you to think of me throughout the day. That will please me, knowing you are looking forward to our bath tonight.”
His c**k jerked hard at the memory of the way she’d cared for him. He groaned. “You’re killing me, honey.”
She took a scrap of lace in her hands and slowly pulled it up over her legs, lace shaping her bu**ocks lovingly while a single lacy strap disappeared between her rounded cheeks. Sam groaned again and stepped close to grasp one firm cheek in the palm of his hand. She smiled at him and moved her bottom more snugly into his hand. Both her hands went to the back of her head, lacing her fingers together, and her lashes lowered, her lips parting slightly.
Sam closed his eyes for a moment, praying for strength. Hot blood rushed to his groin and the memory of the taste of her filled his mouth. She was naturally sensual, every movement as precise and flowing as when she was in battle or pouring tea. His body had gone so hard he was afraid to take a step, afraid he might shatter. He swallowed hard and dropped the towel from around his hips, one hand closing around his aching erection briefly before reaching around her with both hands to cup the slight weight of her br**sts.
He bent his head to her inviting neck, kissing his way down to her shoulder while his fingers plucked and teased at her ni**les. Her small body shifted back against him, her skin rubbing along his like a cat.