Secret Identity by Jill Sanders

mixture was almost intoxicating, the pain with the pleasure. Was it always like this?
     
    “More.” Carter was leaning over her now. When she looked into his eyes, she saw desire, raw and pure, in them. “I want it all,” he growled as he pushed her legs aside, settling between them as he kissed her neck and face. Then he pulled back with a jerk.
    “Hang on.” He leaned over and yanked open the nightstand drawer, searching. He smiled when he pulled out a small box and shook it. “Whew.” They must have been left over from when Mitch and Sandi had stayed there last year.
     
    She frowned as she looked at it, trying to figure out what it was. Then she realized and she couldn't help but blush. She was happy when she realized he was too busy to notice her heated face. Then he was kissing her again and all embarrassment fled, replaced with want.
     
    When he slid slowly into her, she couldn't stop the moan as he filled her completely. Her legs wrapped around his hips as she held on to his shoulders and hips. Their bodies became slick and the cool sheets on her back clung to her as she moaned with each thrust.
     
    She felt herself building again and wanted more than anything to take him with her this time. When she looked up at him, she noticed his dark eyes on her. He watched her and when she slowly licked her lips and looked at his mouth, his eyes closed and he swooped down to kiss her as they exploded together.
     
    It must have been some time before she finally regained her thoughts. Their bodies had cooled and Carter's body was the only thing keeping her warm from the chill in the house. His breathing had steadied along with hers. She didn't know if he was asleep, but his hot breath on her neck felt nice.
     
    Had she ever felt this way with another man before? He'd said they'd been engaged. How many times had they done this together? Years? Months? Somehow, she didn't think it had been like this before. She wished she could just come out and ask him. But somehow, she thought he'd avoid answering her, like he had several times about other subjects she’d brought up.
     
    “Carter?” She rubbed her hands over his backside, enjoying the muscles she found there.
     
    “Mmm?” He buried his face in her hair.
     
    “Where's my engagement ring?” He was causing goose bumps on her skin and she really wished he'd pull the blanket over them or light a fire in the room.
     
    He laughed. “Leave it to you to ask that question at a time like this.” He pulled back, resting on his elbows, looking down at her.
     
    She shivered and frowned. “A time like what?”
     
    He shook his head and stood up. “Eve.” He walked over and started building a fire. She didn't know how she knew it, but he was struggling with wanting to tell her something.
     
    “What is it, Carter?” He was kneeling down, about to light the fire, but looked over his shoulder at her.
    “What?” She couldn't see his face in the dark, couldn't see his eyes. “What is it you're not telling me?” She sat up and pulled the blanket over her, trying to warm up.
     
    He turned back to his task. “Nothing. I've told you everything.” She looked at his back and knew that his moment of weakness had passed. Would she ever find out what it was he was hiding from her?

Chapter Nine

     
    C arter watched the flames take hold of the wood. He could feel her eyes bore into his back and knew he'd almost blurted out the truth. How could he have tried to lie to her about them being engaged? It was a moment of weakness. There was no way he was going to spoil the perfect moment that had just happened. In all the years of imagining being with her, nothing had ever compared to the reality of being with her.
     
    Looking over his shoulder, he smiled when he noticed her checking him out. Slowly, he stood and turned. Her eyes traveled over him and he felt himself growing hard again.
     
    Eve's eyes slowly raised to meet his. He smiled and started walking towards her.