Page 37

‘I love this song.’ Ellie hummed along with ‘Smoke Gets in Your Eyes’ and the murmur of her voice sent a vibration through his chest. Kane let himself relax even more but disappointment replaced his contentment when Ellie pulled her head back.

Maybe it was a bit too romantic for her? Christ, he almost didn’t recognise himself, but she smiled and put her hands on his shoulders and they rocked in time to the music. Pleasure engulfed him as her soft curves pressed against his chest. The song continued and Kane closed his eyes, giving into the sensations that were coursing through him. He raised one hand to her neck, and threaded his fingers through her soft hair. He opened his eyes, knowing he should have pulled away and she should have stepped back, but neither of them moved when their eyes met.

‘Want to go for a walk on the boardwalk?’ He held her gaze and she smiled.

‘Sounds good.’ Her voice was soft and husky. Seconds later, Kane had pulled her from the dance floor and led her towards the door.

Ellie was looking ahead and didn’t see the look of pure venom that Heather threw her way as they stepped past the bar. Kane shrugged it off and followed Ellie onto the path that led down to the river.

They didn’t speak until they reached the metal boardwalk that skirted along the edge of the water. It was softly lit, and deserted; the only sounds were the muted thump of the music and the occasional splash in the river.

Until the accident, Kane had always taken his pleasure when he’d wanted to. He realised he’d missed the smooth skin, the sweet scents and the soft lips. It had been way too long, and the desire that was coursing through him now had nothing to do with making sure everything still worked. It had more to do with this beautiful woman who was leaning back against the metal fence and watching him with a wary expression.

But when he bent his head down, Ellie stood on her toes and met him halfway. He’d intended to be gentle but as soon as their lips met, need ignited, and it was hot and hungry. Kane groaned against her mouth as Ellie slipped her hands beneath his shirt and ran her fingers down his back. She tasted like beer, but there was sweetness too as the soft moans escaped her lips. He ran his tongue over her bottom lip and her mouth opened wider beneath his.

But despite how much he wanted her, he was unsure of her intent. Maybe it was the beers talking. He pulled back and stared at her, at pale blue eyes shining in the moonlight.

Her lips tilted in a trembling smile. ‘Problem?’

‘Just checking we’re on the same page.’

*

Kane’s lips had taken Ellie to a place she hadn’t expected. The feelings racing through her were like the rush when she dipped her bird down in a low swoop. All she knew was that she had a need that had to be taken care of, and soon. Kane’s muscles were hard beneath her fingers. She slid her hands down to his waist, struggling to get across what she was feeling.

Am I crazy? I swore I’d never do this.

She pushed Heather out of her mind. It had just been silly girl talk; she wasn’t stepping on anyone’s territory here. Hell, Heather should be pleased that she had finally let her defences down and given in to the moment.

And what a moment.

Her rock solid ‘no colleague’ policy had dissipated like the low evening mist hovering over the river beside them.

‘Oh yes, we’re on the same page.’

His mouth claimed hers again and their ragged breathing blended in with the sounds of the night. Finally, Ellie lifted her head and buried her face against his chest, barely able to breathe let alone think . . . or speak. If they didn’t get back to one of their rooms soon, she wouldn’t be responsible for what happened out here.

‘How about we go back to my place?’ he murmured and a pleasurable shiver skittered down her back and settled between her thighs.

The two hundred metre walk back through the lodge grounds seemed to take forever. Kane held her hand tightly and pulled her along, and Ellie hurried to keep up, unused to the high heels she was wearing. He was as nervous as she was, fumbling for his key, dropping it twice before he got it into the lock. But then the door opened suddenly and she fell into the room, laughing as Kane grabbed her and pushed her up against the wall. He lifted her dress from the bottom and pulled it over her head, tossing it aside. A shaft of pure feminine gratitude filled her as he took in her lacy white underwear.

‘Much nicer than the khaki work gear.’ His mouth settled on the spot between her neck and her shoulder. Ellie closed her eyes, giving into the heat that had pooled between her thighs. She arched into him and sighed as his hands lowered and cupped her bottom. Lifting her legs, she wrapped them around his hips and he held her against the wall, letting the pleasure build as his hardness pressed against her.

‘You’ve got too many clothes on,’ Ellie murmured against the lips that had once again reclaimed hers. Kane lowered his head and unbuttoned his shirt with one hand, still holding her up with the other, and the strength of his biceps flexing beneath her fingers sent another bolt of desire heading south.

Once again she remembered Heather, but this time it was barely a passing thought. Kane had breached her defences. In the cold light of day, she might castigate herself for what had happened, but for tonight, she was going to make the most it.

Thirst woke Ellie in the middle of the night. Her mouth was dry and she rolled over, only half awake. She froze and drew a breath when she realised where she was. Kane lay beside her, on his back, his arms stretched out above his head. His breathing was deep and even, and she allowed herself to look at him. In sleep, his face was soft and less . . . less angry. The wariness that he wore as a protective shell was gone. In the dim light, his long lashes feathered his cheeks and his lips were soft and slightly parted. The shadows beneath angular cheekbones were accentuated by the darkness of his stubble. The same stubble that had left her lips – and other places – tender after a couple of very thorough sessions of lovemaking.

Lovemaking?

A cold feeling began in her stomach and worked its way up into her chest. What the hell had she done? Her emotional self-sufficiency had been compromised and she’d broken her cardinal rule of not getting involved with someone at work. One tiny crack in her firm resolve, and here she was in bed with her fellow pilot – or engineer, whatever he wanted to say he was. Someone she was going to have to work closely with over the upcoming season . . . or for as long as he stayed.

And someone whom her best friend had made no secret of her interest in. How would she face Heather after this?

Ellie stifled a groan as she slowly swung her legs over the bed. In the dark, she tiptoed around finding her clothes, shoes and bag. She pulled her dress over her head. She held her shoes in one hand, and shoved her lacy underwear into her bag as she crept to the door, trying not to make a sound. Closing the door gently behind her, she padded barefoot down the timber verandah to her own room. The night was still, broken only by the occasional splash from the river and the soft breathy call of a tawny frogmouth.

Putting her shoes down outside, Ellie leaned on the door of her apartment, digging into the bag for her key. She had to fight for her balance as the door opened beneath her weight and she fell into her room with a small squeal.