"My bum feels quite all right, thank you, Gino," she informed him, swiveling around, trying to see everything all at once. She loved being outdoors, and the scenery was beautiful.
"We've got everything I think we need, including food. Drinks are in the cooler on ice. I brought a jacket for you just in case we come back late, and there're weapons in the locker right at your feet."
Her head went up, her eyes meeting his. "Are you expecting company?"
He shrugged. "Not really. Just being cautious. I like to plan for every contingency. Hang on, let's get moving."
The first fifteen minutes of the boat moving up the river toward the bay had her laughing and turning in her seat, trying to take in all the birds. Large white cranes walked on long legs in shallower water and others were in the trees on either side of the water. Everywhere she looked, there was something happening. Trees gave way to brush and then saw grass. Tall cypress trees rose up out of the water, knobby knees reaching toward the center of the river.
The current had picked up now that they were out in the open away from homes. The shallower waters gave way to deeper channels. She turned her face up to the sky and laughed. "Gino, thank you for this!" she shouted to him.
He put his thumb up, grinned at her and kept steering the boat straight down the river, clearly heading somewhere prearranged. Excitement skittered through her. She loved that she felt safe with Gino. She'd never felt safe, not even with Bellisia and Shylah. They hadn't either. Whitney had made certain of that. She wanted Bellisia to feel this safe with Ezekiel, and she wished, with all her heart, that Shylah could find her way to freedom and land somewhere safe, if not with them.
The boat slowed and she looked around her. They had gone through so many twists and turns, going into canals and even one shallow waterway that was a little scary--she'd been afraid the boat would get hung up--she wasn't certain where they were, but it didn't matter. The sandbar was right out in the sun and the water was pooled in a crater right in the center of the bar.
"The crater is formed of mostly smooth rock, looking like one solid piece about seven feet across and as many feet wide. You can look right down to the rock floor. It can't be more than five feet deep, maybe five and half in the deepest center," he informed her. "Nice, clear water, no alligators."
"Wow. So cool," she said as he cut the engine to the boat. She loved the swamp. It was very humid, and a small bead of sweat trickled between her breasts.
"Wait right there," Gino cautioned as he made his way to her. He handed her a water bottle and then pulled the boat onto the sandbar before spreading a blanket and carrying the tote, picnic basket and drinks cooler onto the little bar.
Zara watched his every move, her breath caught in her throat. She could barely take her eyes off him. He'd given her so much. There was freedom in allowing him to make decisions when she had no idea how to live outside Whitney's compound. Still, she had to talk to Bellisia about Ezekiel, Trap and Wyatt. It wouldn't be right to put that burden on Gino without first consulting her "sister" about the other men.
He took the weapons from the locker next, and she found herself looking carefully around their little spot of paradise. Even here, deep in the swamp, surrounded by the intricate canals, a place she was lost in without Gino's guidance, he still worried about someone coming after them.
"Do you think Whitney has another team close by? Or Zhu? Did the person watching him tell you he's left Shanghai?" Apprehension crawled up her throat.
Gino didn't answer at once. He came back to her, moving like the predator he was, that fluid stalk that took her breath and made her heart pound. He stepped onto the boat, his weight making it rock slightly so that she clutched at the edge of the long bench seat she was perched on. He came right to her, crouching down so he was eye level with her.
"Princess, do you think, for one moment, I would take a chance on losing you? I went out this morning with three others scouting. No one has come near our piece of the swamp. Not close to Trap's, not where I'm building, not near Zeke and Bellisia's build, and not near the Fontenot home. If I thought you were in any kind of danger right now, I would have you locked up in the panic room. They'll come, but not today and not here. No one could have followed us the way I came, not without me noticing."
He picked her up and she wrapped her arms around his neck, relaxing into his hold. She could enjoy their afternoon together without worry. "Where was everyone?"
He must have known she was talking about Bellisia. She desperately wanted to talk to her and straighten things out between them.
"Zeke took Bellisia to the bay. He said sometimes she needs to swim in salt water. He's been keeping her hydrated. Apparently, she has a difficult time if she's not soaking in water daily." Gino put her down on the blanket. He was gentle about it.
She didn't hurt nearly as much as she had before. It was easy to be aware of the difference when she was sitting on a sandbar, with only a thin piece of material and a blanket between her and the ground. Granted, he'd brought a thicker blanket, but her bottom didn't hurt at all when she put her weight on it.
"Nonny took Cayenne, Pepper and the girls into town to shop, so they have a large escort," he continued.
Zara was elated that all of them had gone into town together. That meant life could be somewhat normal, even if they had an escort to do it.
"Is it always this humid?" Little beads of sweat formed on her skin and trickled down the valley between her breasts. She was grateful she wasn't wearing tons of clothing. The rock pool looked very inviting.
Gino nodded. "Pretty much. I'm used to it now."
"I'll get used to it too." She took the bottle of water he handed to her and drank, letting the ice-cold liquid slide down her throat. Her gaze flicked from the pool back to him and found he was looking at her throat as she swallowed. The blood in her veins turned to a slow, molten heat, moving through her entire body. Tension coiled deep. She had to do something or she was going to start begging for more kisses. It seemed like she was always asking him to kiss her and really, it had to come from him. "It's hot."
"You can cool off in the pool."
She nodded. It seemed like a good idea. Already he could see her nipples were hard right through the nearly transparent material of the bathing suit cover-up. "I'd like that."
Gino immediately rose and carried a small flat cushion to the edge of the natural rock basin. He added two folded towels, tucking several weapons into one of the towels. She watched him, her heart in her throat, shocked at how much pleasure she got just being with him, just anticipating spending the rest of the day with him.
12
G
ino glanced down at Zara's face as he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the edge of the pool where he'd put the cushion for her to sit on. "You want to go in, you let me take you in. Don't just drop down. The floor of the pool is hard rock."
She was so beautiful, she took his breath away. He didn't understand how she could be looking at a man like him, not when she was intelligent, gorgeous, sweet beyond imagining and so perfect, but he wasn't about to throw away his one chance at happiness.
"Will do. It's stunning out here." A slight breeze had kicked up, just enough to fan her face when the humidity threatened to keep her from breathing.
"Listen to it," Gino said and dragged off his boots and then his jeans. "The swamp has its own sound. Its own rhythm." He was going to let her see what she did to him, get used to the idea of his naked body. He'd seen hers a hundred times, tempting him. Looking at her now, he had no idea how he managed to resist her.
He wasn't wearing a stitch by the time she stopped looking around at the scenery. She nearly squeaked but managed to suppress the sound before it got loose. Her eyes dropped to his cock and went wide with shock. Then her mouth opened. He very casually tossed a towel beside her on the rock and after throwing his shirt to one side, sank down beside her.
He threaded his fingers in her hair. "Haven't you ever seen a man's body be
fore?"
She swallowed and nodded. Kept staring. "You're absolutely beautiful. Your body." Her tone was almost reverent.
It was the last thing he expected her to say. He had scars. More than a few. Muscles. Clothes hid his strength, but he knew his body could be intimidating.
"I grew up in Whitney's compound. He didn't believe in a woman being modest. We were put on earth to serve a man. We were used for experiments. Emotions didn't matter to him, in fact, they only got in the way."
"Women serving men. Don't know about that. I got myself a beautiful princess. If anyone is serving anyone, it would be the other way around." He massaged her scalp, loving the feel of all that hair, like silk. It gleamed red in the sun. The gold was there, like the sun's rays. His heart threatened to beat out of his chest, which shocked the holy hell out of him. He was a man always in control and yet, with Zara, that control seemed to go right out the window.
"Gino." She took a deep breath. "I really want this. I do, but you're never going to fit."
He couldn't help but smile. "I'll fit, baby. You'll be ready for me by the time we get there, I promise. Keep breathing. Listen to the music around us. I want you to relax, not be afraid of anything. We don't have to do a single thing until you're ready. If that means a month from now, or two months from now, I'm okay with that."
"You are?"
"I'm not going to lie, Zara. I want you with every cell in my body, and I think you can see that." His cock was harder than he ever remembered it and he hadn't touched her yet. Just looking at her in that sheer top, her breasts teasing the hell out of him was enough to make his blood thunder in his ears.
He circled his shaft with his fist, wishing it was her hand, but knowing he had to take it slow with her. Sweat dotted his forehead. More trickled down his chest. His gaze jumped to her breasts where a small bead ran down that intriguing valley. Her nipples were taut, not flat. She was aroused, he could tell by the change in her breathing. The last thing he wanted was for her to be scared of his body.
Gino cupped the side of her face, turned her toward him and took her mouth. He forced himself to be gentle, coaxing her response, not taking it. One hand slipped over her breast, over her heart to feel it flutter. Her lips were cool, her mouth hot. She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck to bring him closer. He didn't move into her, controlling her body the way he controlled the kiss.
Heat rushed through his veins, a silken fire that moved through every cell, infusing him with her, so much hotter and stronger than he expected with his gentle, very tender kiss. He fought himself, as need pulsed through him and hunger coiled deep. Her mouth was addicting, her taste elusive, like some fine wine he couldn't quite catch all the various subtle flavors of. He needed more. So much more.
She dug her fingers into his shoulders, kissing him back, her mouth soft, chasing his, wanting more. Frantic for more. He liked that. He even needed it from her. Forcing himself to stop, he lifted his head and smiled at her. "You're not going to get your way yet, princess." Because God help them, if she pressed her body against his right now, his control would go up in flames.
Little beads of sweat dotted her skin and he wanted to lick every one of them off. Trace the ones running between her breasts and find the tight buds that pushed against the sheer material. He was torturing himself by getting her that cover-up.
She looked up at him, those long lashes fluttering, sending little flames burning through his belly. "Why?"
He slipped off the rock into the pool and reached for her. Hands around her waist, he pulled her into the cooler water. He needed it more than she did. It didn't help. Nothing was going to help. He'd been obsessed with her from the moment he'd read the file they had on her. The moment someone had said her name.
Living with her these weeks, lying on the floor beside the bed, or in it with her, inhaling her scent, feeling her soft skin, looking at all those curves, had made that obsession grow until he could barely stand being away from her. He wanted to know where she was and what she was doing, if she was happy, if she was upset. He told himself it was insanity, but it didn't matter, intellect didn't take way the intense emotion he was feeling for her.
The water felt good on his hot skin. Even better, it soaked through the thin material of her sarong and blouse until it was so transparent, she might as well not have been wearing a stitch. He didn't let her feet take all her weight, but allowed her to stand, the water and his hands holding her.
"Why?" she repeated, a little more demanding.
He laughed softly. "You're going to be a handful."
"You're not answering me," she pointed out.
He took her hand and guided it to his cock. She closed her fingers around the hard shaft and looked up at him shyly. Expectantly. Lust swept through him. His cock felt like a steel spike, and in her hand, it grew even more, hardened even more until she looked intimidated, but excited all the same. He could see desire growing in her eyes. Her breasts moved temptingly with every ragged breath she took.
"That's why, Zara. I'm not having your first time with me be out here, and I'm not nearly as in control as I thought I could be. Playing is one thing, but we're going to have to be careful."
Zara scowled up at him and turned her face against his bare chest and tasted his skin. He tasted the way she expected--amazing. Perfect. All Gino. She had read countless books on sex. She'd read the Kama Sutra, and just about everything else she could get her hands on. She was, after all, very good at research. Nothing prepared her for the real thing. The way she would feel with her body so close to his. With his cock, thick and hard, in her fist.
She pumped that hot, rigid part of his anatomy, feeling that silken glide. The water wasn't nearly as cold as it needed to be to keep her from feeling like she might go up in flames. He might think he was going to control every situation, but Zara wasn't about to let him. Not when it came to having sex with him. She knew all about temptation, and she was determined to drive him to the very brink of his control--and beyond.
Her mouth traveled over his chest, her tongue finding every defined muscle, tasting, sucking, using her teeth very gently to nip him and then her tongue to ease the sting. Every time she did it, his breath hitched in his lungs and his cock jerked in her hand. She kept the pumping up, her fist lazily gliding, while her mouth moved over his chest. If it wasn't driving him crazy, it certainly was taking her close to the edge and she loved the feeling of wanting him. He was becoming a need, not a want, his body hot, hard and all hers. Tension coiled hot inside her, drawing tighter and tighter. All the while her clit pulsed and throbbed in need.
Her tongue flicked his nipple and then she suckled there, her tongue dancing over him. She lifted her head and looked up at him from under her long lashes. "Does playing include me doing this to your cock?"
His shaft, enclosed in her hand, thickened, widening in spite of her tight fist, heating until she thought he would scorch her palm. He felt like a combination of silk and steel.
"If you want it to." His voice was husky.
"I want," she said, and pushed her body closer to his while her hand left his shaft and dropped lower to caress the velvet texture of his sac. His balls were tight and hard, just like his cock. She rolled them gently, exploring with her fingers and palm while she kissed her way up his throat. She moved one leg so she was straddling his thigh, pushing against him with her nearly naked body. That thin strip between her lips didn't do a thing to stop her from feeling his bare thigh against her clit. She rubbed back and forth.
"Zara." There was warning in his voice.
She ignored it and kissed his throat, then his jaw, before pulling back to look up at him. She knew he'd look down and see that transparent material over her breasts, her nipples erect, every breath rising and falling for him. His dark gaze left her face and she heard his breath rush from his lungs. Her hand found his cock again just as his hands both came up to cup her breasts, pushing them together and right out of the open edges of the cover-up. Then
his mouth was on her breast and her world went up in flames.
She cried out, shocking herself with the intensity of feeling. She had no idea her body could feel so good, so needy and so desperate all at one time. His hand was on one breast, kneading and massaging, his mouth on the other, sucking, his tongue and teeth alternating, doing something delicious that sent spikes of electricity straight to her sex.
"Wrap your legs around my waist." He hissed the command against her nipple as he caught both of her arms, tugged them up and put them around his neck.
She felt the heat of his breath against her skin. Obediently she lifted her legs around his waist, ankles hooking behind him.
"Are you all right, Zara? I need to hear you say it."
She was nodding, but she managed to get out a verbal answer. "Yes. Absolutely." And she was, there wasn't even a twinge of pain on her breasts. Only pleasure. And she wanted more.
She leaned back, throwing her head back as he latched on to her breasts once again. She pressed her mound tight against his abdomen, wishing it was his cock. Her hips bucked when his teeth pulled at her nipple. There had to be a straight line to her sex, because every time he did it, a lash of sizzling heat struck her clit and then continued deep into her core. That stroke set flames roaring through her until she was nearly writhing in his arms.