Burning Intensity by Elizabeth Lapthorne Page B

shut. Her orgasm detonated within her body, shuddering as the waves of pleasure rolled over and through her. Her back bowed, as if an electrical current ran through her.
    The scream she emitted sounded unlike anything she’d heard before. Starting low, then gathering in volume and intensity, it was an animalistic, raw cry of release and bliss.
    James was only a pace behind her. Wanting to watch him come, El forced her eyes open and turned her head. Caught up in his ecstasy, James looked almost in pain. His back bowed, his hips thrust forward as he pounded into her, riding through his orgasm. His eyes were squeezed tightly shut and his mouth gaped as he roared his release.
    Warmth suffused her anal passage as he filled her with seed. El could feel it hot and liquid as he emptied himself in her. Deliciously sore, filled with his essence, exhaustion washed over her. Arms and legs wobbled as their physical exertions took their toll.
    “Let me help you, baby. Bloody hell that was…beyond description,” James murmured softly to her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and helped her down as she lowered her body to the luscious embrace of the bed. He followed her down and spooned her, holding their bodies close together.
    El closed her eyes, overwhelmed but happier and more sated than she had ever been in her life. Her arse ached and she could feel that pleasant tug of pain in many of her muscles—rather like she felt after a good, hard workout at the gym. Shifting her legs to partly turn, she felt the twinge in her upper thighs, her lower back and a few other more sensitive places—places the gym didn’t work out.
    She pressed a kiss to James’ jaw, love filling her up.
    “That was amazing,” she said softly. “Thank you.”
    “As I said earlier, it was every inch of my pleasure,” he returned in a low tone. El wrapped her arm lightly around his waist, snuggled into the comfort of his embrace and closed her eyes.
    In this golden, glowing moment she felt life was perfect and couldn’t possibly ever get better than this.
     
    * * * *
     
    Ravenous, El sat on the couch, picked up a half of the enormous sandwich James had made earlier and took a huge bite out of it. Tastes exploded over her tongue, filling her mouth and making it water. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed a meal more. Silence reigned between them as she and James sat comfortably close on the couch, devouring the food.
    Still damp from the shower they’d both taken, El felt refreshed and re-energized. She knew when she had a full stomach she’d be able to hit the case with a new vigor. James had been right. She could be cranky and short-tempered when hungry. She all but inhaled the first half of her sandwich. Picking up the other half, she let herself relax, no longer starving. Taking a slower bite, she then consciously chewed it more thoughtfully, enjoying the mix of flavors and the act of sharing a meal with her lover.
    “Does it bother you to be working both sides of the fence this time?” El asked after she’d swallowed. James shot her a perplexed look, his mouth full. She chuckled and explained. “We’re looking for a stolen painting, hoping to outsmart the bad guys and unravel the intricate web they’ve laid out. Hell, if we get really lucky, we can even poke out an explanation as to why this particular painting is so important and even understand who else wants it and stop them. Usually you’re on the other end, plotting to avoid the cops—or whoever—and outsmart the security systems and match wits with the supposed experts.”
    “You know it’s not usually that black and white,” James chided.
    El nodded, completely accepting his point.
    “Absolutely. I’ve recently seen first-hand how manipulative and easily tempted the supposed good guys can be and turn to their own selfish need and profit. I’m not poking you here. Often people turn to stealing or working against the establishment not for greed or personal