kept ahold of his hand, she used her other hand to gently trace a long, thin scar that sliced across one half of his chest. “What is this one from?”
He stared down at her fingers as they splayed against his chest. For a few seconds he didn’t say anything but then in a low voice he answered. “It was made by a cavalry saber. It was my first major battle. I still remember the horse charging towards me with the officer leaning slightly to the side, his sword raised in the air to slash down at me. I managed to partially dodge but he still got me.”
Atsila traced her fingers upwards to a scar on his bicep. “And this one?”
“I was shot last year. Luckily the bullet passed through without causing too much damage.”
She moved her hand to skim her fingers over his hip. “This one looks particularly vicious.”
“Stab wound from a bayonet. Went right through me. Hurt like hell – sorry, pardon my language.”
Her lips twitched slightly – his politeness was very endearing – before she trailed her fingers lightly across his stomach to rest on the scar from the arrow wound she had treated. “We both know where this one came from.” She smiled softly and raised her eyes to Jonathan’s face, where she noted a look of pain. As soon as she lifted her gaze to him he tried to conceal the look but he was too slow. She withdrew her fingers quickly. “I’m sorry. I tried to be gentle but I didn’t realize how tender your wound still is.”
“Don’t apologize. It’s not that kind of pain.” The words were uttered in a tight, controlled manner, followed by a deep breath which he let out slowly.
“Are you thinking back over your battles? Is it the memories that cause you pain?”
“No.” He let out a short laugh.
“What is it then?”
“Your touch. It’s torture.” The words slipped out before he could stop them, causing him to scowl.
“I don’t understand. You just said your wound was okay. You should tell me if it hurts – ”
“Your name is very fitting, you know.” His words cut her off and he noted the look of confusion in her eyes at the apparent change of topic but he continued nonetheless. “Your touch burns me like fire.”
A dawning understanding lit her eyes as she realized what he was telling her. “Jonathan – ”
“No, you don’t need to say anything. I’ve said too much already.” With a look of self-disgust on his face, he stepped back from her and turned his body away as he bent to put his shoes on. Watching him, she noted his anger at himself for having voiced his thoughts and feelings, apparent from his expression and the way he tugged sharply at his laces. She waited patiently until he had tied both shoes and had stood up again. His body was stiff as he addressed her in a formal tone. “Please forgive me. You have my word that I won’t utter such things again. I hope you enjoy your swim.”
As he turned to walk away she reached out her hand to grab his arm and pull him back. The movement was so quick and unexpected that he was caught off guard and spun back to her. Before he had time to react she closed the distance between them, pressing herself against his body as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
The energy that surged through her was wild and electric, reminding her of how the air felt just before a great storm. His arms encircled her, crushing her to him as he ravaged her mouth. The kiss wasn’t polite, the way she had imagined it might be. It was raw hunger and reckless, fierce need. Opening her lips, she touched her tongue to his, inviting his exploration as he backed her up against the rock on which she had been standing minutes ago. Now its cool surface contrasted with the warmth of his body as primal passion flared up between them, scorching and consuming. As his lips moved down to caress her neck, she let out a sensuous moan and arched against him, driving him insane with desire.
Gripping her hips, he pressed himself more firmly
Lori Wick
Dustin J. Palmer
Magan Vernon, Marked Hearts
Quinn Loftis
Christelle Mirin
James Hunter
Lauren Ash
T. Lynne Tolles
Patricia Watters
Linda Thomas-Sundstrom