Can't Run (Danger and Desire Book 1) by Caroline M. Townes

sticky warm during the day.
    “I hope you trust that I just want to keep you safe.” Eric whispered, evidently misinterpreting Sara’s silence for resentment.
    “I know,” Sara said, “Eric, I do trust you.”
    Sara’s voice was soft and sincere, she meant it. The last few days forced her to think about how Eric tracked her down with limited tools. She was forced to think about how he risked his life and was continuing to risk his life to rescue and protect her. She couldn’t help but appreciate his new honesty about her father’s situation, and altogether, she realized that his acts were, though technically professional, also selfless. If they both died what was the point of his salary? There was none.
    Hearing Sara’s genuine tone, Eric couldn’t help but smile.
    They had both fallen asleep and had been woken up by a throaty grunt outside of their makeshift shelter.
    “What is that?” Sara whispered, her voice shaking with the terror of not knowing what was lurking just outside of their hut.
    “Shhh” Eric hushed, listening carefully while reaching for his gun and holding it ready to defend at any moment.
    Seeming to respond to the quiet whispers coming from within, whatever was outside answered in a guttural grumble that seemed to transfigure into an exceptionally disturbing snarl.
    Sara couldn’t help but gasp as she realized that there was some sort of predator, possibly stalking them.
    “It’s either a puma or a jaguar. It’s probably just curious.” Eric whispered in an unsuccessful attempt to be comforting.
    Sara decided that one thing was for sure, she would not be falling asleep that night.
    She woke up at first light, laying on her side covered by Eric’s leather jacket and his large protective arms around her. He breathed softly, in a delicate snore. They had both fallen asleep.
    She carefully rolled over to face him. As he slept he looked so peaceful, so innocent. The stress that had been on his face over the last few days was completely unseen in this state. She couldn’t help but reach out and touch his face. The prickly stubble that had grown over the days of being unshaven felt rough under her fingers. She traced his lips with her fingers, recalling their kiss from the night when they met. She leaned into him, and gently brushed her lips against his.
    His eyes fluttered open in surprise. Sara leaned back on her arm and grinned, “I just wanted to see what is like.” She said coyly.
    His eyes flickered as he reached forward and brushed her hair out of her face. His mouth was now set in an amused grin. He ran his hand through her hair, from the back of her neck and pulled her back to him. 
    His mouth was on hers, his warm breath soothed her as his lips coaxed hers to open. An electrical storm was happening within her, the energy feeding her urgency as her lips moved against his. Never before had she felt such intense passion and need. His lips moved down and lingered on her neck just below her chin, before he slowly kissed up her neck, her chin, and cheek before he returned to her mouth.
    He kissed her with a new intensity igniting a newfound level of desire within Sara. She felt the tip of his tongue against hers driving her into a desperation that near frightened her. She had never wanted anything as badly as she wanted him, and she couldn’t deny it any longer.
    Her hands moved up to his neck, she knotted her fingers into his short hair. His breath was just as shaky and passionate as her own, as she used her grip on his neck to urge him down onto her.
    Understanding her, his kisses deepened and he took her in a all-pervading kiss. She felt her body shaking underneath the pressure of his weight, the urgency erupting from her body in trembles. A guttural moan escaped her throat as he kissed her deeply, and moved back down to her earlobe where he lightly bit and ran his tongue gently.
    Unable to stand the pressure of intense need growing in her groin she used her weight to push him off