One Night with a Spy

Chapter 1 The moon is full and swollen in the dark lapis sky. A bright path shines on the glassy lake, leading me in, calling me onward. I want to follow. I want to feel the lake on my bare skin. A tingle on the back of my neck at the hint of sandalwood on the night breeze. No, there is no one there. The water will be cold silver, slipping silky fingers into places it would never reach through a bathing costume. I reach to untie my wrapperand his hands come about me from behind. "Let me." His voice is deep enough to make me quiver, but not a growl. My breath catches in my throat. "I told you to never come here again." "I cannot stay away." I look down to where large, competent fingers slowly tug free the knot in the satin belt. He lets the ends fall and spreads his open hands over my belly. I close my eyes at the heat that sinks into my skin and let my head fall back against the firm shoulder there. He rises behind me like a fortress, a wall of strength and protection that will never fail me. He is wrong for me, but I cannot resist him. He presses warm lips upon my temple and I turn into his arms, leaving my wrapper behind to slip to the grass. I am as naked as he. His arms come around me and for one, long perfect moment he holds me pressed close to his heat and strength. His embrace is a pledge, a vow, and I nod in understanding before I open my eyes. I may look upon his formI must look upon it, and caress and take pleasure in it. His great chest rises with each breath, which comes more quickly as I allow my fingers to explore the plates and cords of muscle that shape him. I slip my hands up to trace the thickened strength of his arms to his broad shouldersthose shoulders I do love to rely uponand then back down. I especially love to trace the risen vein that throbs in each forearm, and to feel his blood jump at my touch. Then I take his large, square hands in mine and press them to my breasts, giving him the weight of them in his palms. His organ rises between us, rigid and hungry, without shame. "Do you want me?" I know he does, but I need to hear him say it. "I want you." His hands tighten on me, not cruelly but possessively. I close my eyes and let my head drop back. "Tell me why." "I want you because I was made to fit within you. I live to lose myself in your wetness and your heat. I love" No. Wait. She couldn't have him say that. Good heavens, love was the last thing she wanted on her plate! He was a plaything only. That thought sent a tiny shiver through her and put a naughty twist to her lips as she bent to scribble in her diary once more. I stop him with trembling fingers over his lips. No. Not that. Even I dare not dream of that. "I need you." That was better. Not as dangerous. I flow against him, melting into his skin, wishing I might stay in the circle of his protective, urgent embrace forever. He sweeps me into his arms, lifting me lightly from my feet. With me in his possession, he strides into the lake. The water is cool, not chill, on my heated skin and it slides over my nipples and between my bare thighs like a sweet invader, tightening my flesh and making me shiver. He spins me in the water, creating a wake of shimmering wavelets that continue onward to break up the flawless pale path to the moon. I won't be going there tonight. I will stay here, in my lover's arms. He stops with the moon behind him, throwing him into silhouette, and only then do I look up to see his dampened hair curling about thBradley, Celeste is the author of 'One Night with a Spy', published 2008 under ISBN 9780312946036 and ISBN 0312946031.