Page 157 of Harnessed in Gold

He lathers his hands and slides them up my arms, down my back, over my hips. Once I’m washed and rinsed, I slip around him and force him under the stream. He exhales as the water coats him, his pebbled skin becoming smooth in the heat.

“You’ll get too cold out there,” he says, pulling me tight against him.

One-handed, he washes his hair, the bubbles running down his chest and collecting in a pool between his ribs and my breasts. I sink my fingernails into his back as he plays with the lather, circling one of my tight nipples with his thumb. Hands grasping at slippery, slick skin, our lips meet in a greedy kiss. I whimper as his hardness grazes my stomach, ignoring the voice that warns,Slow down.This could be your last time. In an hour, he could be gone.

In an hour, he could be goneforever.

Fighting tears, I force my lips to form words. “No, no,” I pretend to scold, somehow managing a smile. “You’re not done washing yet.”

I start at his neck, sudsing behind his ears and under his jaw, down his throat and across his shoulders, washing away all the horror of the last few hours. He purrs and drops his forehead against mine as I draw my hands down his back, riding over the peaks of his shoulder blades and the tight bands of muscle between them.

“I love you,” he murmurs.

I kiss him, my arms clasped around his neck. “I love you, too.”

Soaping up my hands again, I concentrate on his chest, his brutally, stunningly perfect chest. My fingers glide over his pecs, then start their descent. On their way down, I count his abs,three… four… five…When I grasp his hard length, his hands fly from my waist to slap against the shower wall. He wavers as I stroke him, his head dropping back and moans rumbling in his chest.

With a sudden, sharp growl, he snatches my wrist and kisses me fiercely, backing me up until I nearly crash into the wall. There, he throws up a hand, protecting my head from hitting the hard tiles. I grip his shoulders while he hooks his arms under my thighs and hoists me up in one quick pull.

He slips his fingers between my legs, and with impressive patience and restraint, draws firm circles until I’m trembling and my back arches off the wall.

“Now, Leo. Please.”

He withdraws his hand, leaving me delirious and aching, and brushes his thumb across his fingers. A sound shield.

His eyes trap mine. “Hold on to me.” Offering no warning, no chance to breathe, he nudges my legs open wider and sinks deep inside me.

I stifle a cry as pleasure explodes from my core. My nails dig into his neck.

“A chuisle mo chroí.” The words pour from his throat, as hot and as thick as lava.

One hand on the wall above my head and the other under my hips, he pushes into me, again and again. Overpowered by waves of heat, I fight to open my eyes. I want to see him. Need to see him. This could be our last time.

He watches me, his emotions pulsing with every stroke. Emotions that match mine. Fear, regret, and worry. Determination, devotion, and possession.

My eyes slam shut as he thrusts harder, but no faster, deep and strong, his supporting arm steady. He could hold me like this all night; he’s the master of self-control. I’m the one who’s coming undone. My muscles tighten around him, intensifying the sensations.

I let out a moan.

“Shhh,” he gently warns, but I don’t understand why. I don’t even know where we are. I don’t even care.

I cry out his name as the pleasure peaks, every muscle in my body seizing. The wave breaks and crashes in a rush of heat, jolting me off the wall. He growls as he grips me, keeping me steady and holding himself off until I’m no longer bucking. Then with a low groan he lets go, arms tightening around me and his face buried in my neck.

We cling to each other like someone is trying to tear us apart,neither of us willing to think about what the next few hours might bring. In this shower, we’re clean and warm and safe. And together.

“Nothing can take me away from you,” he whispers against my shoulder. “I promise, I’ll come back.”

I unlock my ankles and hang onto his neck as I set my feet down. “If you don’t, I’ll find you. No matter what realm you’re in.”

Never wanting to be cold and wet again, I hunt down a blow-dryer, but Leo pulls me into his arms before I can switch it on. I smooth his damp hair back from his temples and comb it with my nails over his pointed ears.

He waits until he has my full attention before saying, “Tell me exactly what happened.”

Puzzled, I continue tracing his jaw.

He prompts me, “How did you end up in the river?”

“Oh. One of the ghosts.” I shiver. “He made me throw myself in.”