Edge of Surrender by Laura Griffin

didn’t have one set up.
    He glanced around her apartment as the water went on in the bathroom. She really hadn’t unpacked much. The place was practically empty. He eyed the box with all the books and photographs.
    Hunter. What the fuck kind of name was that, anyway? The guy had probably never hunted for anything in his life besides a missing golf ball. Probably didn’t even know how to hold a gun. And who wore a Rolex skiing? The guy was a loser, no question. He wouldn’t have survived a day in the jungle by himself or even five minutes with one of Avedo’s goons. Emma had not only survived, but she’d managed to escape.
    Emma was tough. She might not look it, with the fancy clothes and the heels and the Bambi eyes. But underneath all that was a woman who could build latrines and sleep in the forest. A woman who liked cheeseburgers and french fries and hot sex. A woman who considered beer a staple, for Christ’s sake. That was the real Emma, the one he was falling hard for. So hard it scared him.
    He glanced at the hallway, where he heard the hum of the pipes. She was having a moment to herself now, and he should leave her alone. Really.
    In need of a distraction, he took out his new burner phone and called Jake.
    â€”——
    Emma stepped into the hallway and jumped.
    â€œMy God, you scared me!” She held her arms over her bare breasts. “I was just getting some towels from my room.”
    But he was a step ahead of her. He handed her a towel and backed her against the wall, taking her mouth with his before she could get a word out. And he didn’t just kiss her—he kissed her.
    â€œYou’re naked,” he murmured, dipping his head down to kiss her breast.
    Not quite. She was still in her panties, but he was quickly taking care of that, sliding them down her legs.
    â€œRyan.” She gasped as he kissed his way up her body, then took her mouth again. His kiss was hot and urgent, as though it had been weeks instead of hours since they’d last been together. His tongue delved into her mouth as he pressed her against the wall.
    â€œI wanted to leave you alone, but—” He plumped her breast in his hand and squeezed her nipple. “I can’t. You’re so fucking hot, Emma, I can’t stop touching you.”
    â€œHot. Right.” No one had ever called her hot before, but maybe he thought flattery would put her in the mood.
    He pulled back. “You don’t think I’m serious?”
    â€œI think . . .” She rubbed her hand over his erection. “I think you seriously want to get laid.”
    â€œYou’re fucking beautiful, Emma. How do you not know that?”
    â€œI need to lose a few pounds.”
    â€œDon’t.” He slid his hand over her butt and squeezed. “I love you like this.”
    Her heart skipped a beat as she stared up at him. He didn’t realize what he’d said, but it was sweet anyway, and she pulled his head down to hers for another kiss. She loved the way he kissed her. And touched her. The way he gripped her flesh like it was something he desperately needed to hold on to. She loved the way he made her feel confident and sexy, like the star of one of his fantasies.
    One of those fantasies apparently involved a shower, because he was towing her toward the bathroom now. He stepped into the steamy little room and quickly stripped off his clothes. Taking her hand, he pulled her into the tub with him and positioned her under the scalding spray.
    She loved his body, so hard and muscled. She’d been awed just touching him in the dark last night, but in the light like this, he was truly heart-stopping.
    He dipped his head down to her breast, and she tipped her head back, loving the warm pull of his mouth as his talented fingers slipped down and inside her.
    â€œGod, Emma.” He moved up and kissed her neck as he touched her. She was already flushed and fevered, but he was