Chapter Twenty-One

The sting of the sunburn woke Maya sometime late in the night. She lifted her head from Roarke’s shoulder and rolled out of bed. She looked back to make sure she hadn’t disturbed him, and then padded into the bathroom.

She opened the shower stall and turned on the water as cold as she could stand it. Maya wasn’t burdened with clothes, so she stepped directly under the spray after she adjusted the head to make it a softer stream. She gasped as the icy water pelted her, but it felt too good against her sunburn to move away from.

She leaned against the shower stall and let the water fall over her naked back. Maya felt tears prick the back of her eyes and tried to swallow them back. She didn’t want to turn into a blubbering mess in Roarke’s presence. The only thing worse than to lose him would be to have him to stay because he pitied her.

Maya lifted her head when she heard the door slide open. Roarke stepped in with her and shivered at the cold water. She hoped the tears on her cheeks passed as water droplets. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

He didn’t speak. Instead, he lifted her and pushed her against the wall.

“Roarke, what are you…” Maya’s eyes widened as he entered her with one quick thrust. Her body was ready for him and welcomed him eagerly. She melted against him and clutched his shoulders.

He grunted and thrust into her as he moved one hand to play with her clitoris. He wore a grim expression, as if determined to force an orgasm from her.

Maya couldn’t believe the feelings that coursed through her. She felt out of control and primitive. She wanted to completely lose her conscious self in his flesh, and she concentrated on her orgasm, consumed solely with her needs. She dug her nails into his back and ground her hips against his, equally determined to come.

She leaned forward and pushed herself down hard on him. His hand was trapped between their bodies. Her entire body convulsed as an orgasm washed over her. She clenched around his shaft and heard him moan, but he didn’t come.

When Maya could breathe again, she relaxed against him and laid her head on his shoulder. “That was wonderful.”

“Be quiet.”

Her eyes widened at the command, and Maya frowned when he turned off the shower and stepped out.

“What’s…”

He frowned at her, but didn’t answer.

She gasped when he pressed her against the bathroom wall and entered her again. She could only cling helplessly to him and match him thrust for thrust as he slammed into her until he elicited another orgasm.

He continued to thrust. “Please, no more,” she whimpered. “I’m too tired.”

Roarke ignored her whispered words and lifted her higher.

She pushed against his chest. “I want to stop now.”

He grasped her wrists and pinned them to the wall on either side of her head. The only thing keeping her in place was his lower body as he thrust in and out of her. There was a feral gleam in his eyes when he threw his head back and cried out. She felt him fill her, and she came again, although she had been certain she was too exhausted.

As their trembling subsided, he released her wrists and lowered her to the floor. He put his arms around her and held her close to his pounding heart. He sounded out of breath when he asked, “Did I hurt you?”

She hesitated. Her wrists stung from his tight hold, and she felt sore and achy between her thighs. Blotting out those tiny pains was the flush of satisfaction that swept across her body. “No.” She pressed her face against his chest. “I liked it.” She felt him chuckle.

“It looks like Carly was right.”

Maya’s head whipped up so quickly her neck popped. “What?”

He pushed hair off her face and smiled down at her. “Carly told me you had a particular fantasy. I waited for the right moment—”

“She told you about that? When?”

He nodded. “She called me yesterday. After complaining about how difficult it was to get through to my office, she told me about your fantasy. “

She froze. “What else did she tell you?”

“Nothing except this fantasy.” He grinned. “Why? Is there more?”

“I can’t believe she told you about that.” She felt anger welling up inside, but it was mixed with gratitude and relief—a peculiar combination. She owed Carly gratitude because Maya knew she wouldn’t ever have had the courage to tell Roarke she wanted him to just take her without asking her first. She was relieved her sister hadn’t said anything about where she was staying.

He faltered. “I’m sorry if you wanted it to stay just a fantasy. It started out as role-playing, but I lost control.”

Maya touched his face. “So did I. I’m glad she told you. “

He looked relieved. “You enjoyed it?”

Maya giggled. “Three times. Even when I was sure I couldn’t take anymore.”

“I know the feeling.” He turned around to show her his back. “I thought you had dug into my spine a couple of times—not that I didn’t enjoy it.”

Maya gasped at the red marks on his back and blushed. She was pleased to have marked him. He would have a reminder of her for at least a few days. It would have to be enough.