Always by Iris Johansen

“It’s just a question of time.” He walked slowly toward her. “If you want to get out of the house, I’ll take you to the straw market tomorrow afternoon. I hear it’s something of a tourist trap, but it will be a change.”
    “With Galbraith and your other minions trailing along behind?”
    “They won’t get in the way. You won’t even see them if they’re doing their job properly.”
    “But I’ll know that they’re there.” She poured the coffee back into the cannister. “You’re sure I can’t talk you into putting me on a plane to New York instead?”
    He nodded. “I’m very sure. I’ve never been more sure of anything.” He was standing next to her, close enough for her to feel the heat emanating from his body. “Has it been so bad for you the last few days? I thought you were enjoying yourself.” His lips lifted in a lopsided smile. “I know I’m not most women’s idea of the man with whom they’d like to be stranded on a desert island, but I thought you’d adjusted very well.”
    Did he really think he wasn’t attractive to women? Probably. She had found him remarkably lacking in conceit. “No, it hasn’t been bad,” she said gently. In retrospect, the last few days had been stimulating, amusing, even challenging. Clancy was keenly intelligent, quick witted, with a marvelous sense of humor and a fine appreciation of the ridiculous. He had a zest for life that blended oddly with the cynicism that his lifestyle had bred. She’d foundherself not only desiring him physically, but craving his company as well. That realization was probably what had triggered her sudden burst of desperation. He was coming too close, and she couldn’t risk that. The less intimacy the better from now on. “You can’t blame me for being a little restless under the circumstances. The straw market sounds fine.”
    “Have you been restless?” he asked softly. “So have I. Do you suppose it springs from the same cause?” His eyes were narrowed intently on her face. “If it does, I can suggest a better remedy than the straw market.” His hands reached up to cradle her face. Warm, capable hands, the pads of his fingers slightly calloused and rough against the smoothness of her cheeks. Strong hands, yet they were a little unsteady as they touched her.
    She excited him, and the knowledge increased her own arousal. She was trembling again. It seemed to be a permanent state when she was around Clancy. “Not a safe remedy.”
    “I’d keep you safe. You’ll always be safe with me.” His thumbs splayed out, rubbinggently at the corners of her mouth. “As safe as you want to be.” His thumbs moved slowly to meet in the center of her lower lip. “Sometimes it can be fun to forget about safety. Haven’t you found that?” He exerted the tiniest pressure and her lips parted. “I can feel the throbbing of your heart against my thumbs. Your lips are almost as sensitive as your breasts, aren’t they?”
    Lisa swallowed; her breasts lifted and fell with each shallow breath. The top button of his white shirt was undone and she could see a shadowy glimpse of the wiry pelt of hair on his chest. She couldn’t seem to pull her eyes away. She wanted to touch him, comb her fingers through that crisp mat, explore the powerful, heavy muscles of his shoulders. His dark head was lowering slowly. “Take a chance, Lisa,” he urged. “Give me your tongue.”
    He covered her lips with his mouth but exerted no pressure. Waiting. His lips were warm and hard, his breath clean and sweet, but she wanted more. She gave him what he wanted, and she felt him shudder against her. He took her into his mouth, sucking gently, lovingly. Shefelt his body harden as he pulled her into the hollow of his hips.
    Her hands reached out blindly, fumbling with the buttons of his shirt. He went still. Then, without taking his mouth from hers, he brushed her hands aside and unbuttoned the shirt himself. He took her palms and placed them flat