His free hand slid around her neck and he bent his head to claim her lips.
The fire that had smouldered since he’d arrived home roared into flame, and she returned his kiss with an ardour that shook her to her core. He quivered then his arms enfolded her, tightening until there was no space between them.
Time stood still, stretched endlessly to infinity. Too short an eon later, he raised his head to take a shuddering breath. Her own came in gasps, and she let her forehead rest on his chest.
‘Wow.’ Placing one hand on the wall above her head, he blew air out and inhaled new in. Stared at her for a long time as if trying to see inside her head, trying to puzzle something out.
‘I’ve missed you, Lauren. Ached for you for three long days and two endless nights and I can’t wait any longer.’
He lifted her into his arms, carried her into the bedroom, and laid her on the bed. Without relinquishing hold, he settled beside her, rolling onto his side to lean over her. His fingertips skimmed across her shoulders and arms then over her hips, making her squirm with anticipation. His lips kissed a path from the pulse by her ear to the corner of her mouth, driving her crazy with need.
‘Matt?’ She hardly recognised the breathless, needy plea as coming from her. Her hand pressed on the back of his neck, dragging his head down to hers, and her fingernails scraped his skin.
‘You’re mine.’ His voice was harsh, deep with passion. Macho. Triumphant.
‘Yours.’ Hers was breathless. Elated. Proud.
For as long as he needed and wanted her.
* * *
Lauren leant on the veranda rail waiting while Matt showered so they could join their hosts for breakfast. The universe was different, sharper, brighter. She was different.
She huffed and watched her breath evaporate in the cool air. She’d been changing since Matt had glanced up at her with his mesmerising midnight-blue eyes. A little every time they were together, stronger from the kisses outside her hotel room and a giant leap when they first made love.
Last night the metamorphosis had become complete. There’d been no sign of the shy, vulnerable caterpillar. She’d given herself to him completely, no hesitation, no restraint. And been shown a realm of soaring passions and sensations far beyond her imagination.
She’d fallen into contented sleep wrapped in his arms, his lips on her forehead, her hand on his thundering heart.
She felt a nudge at her side, and hunkered down to pat Cyan, almost fell over as Cyber also claimed attention.
‘Save some for me.’ Matt stood in the doorway, hair damp, eyes gleaming.
He could have all of her for as long as he wanted.
* * *
Breakfast was served on the balcony facing the large vegetable patch. Lauren loved the crispness in the air, and the light breeze stirring the foliage, making the garden appear to be alive. She could imagine sitting here all day and into the evening enjoying the changes of light and sound.
‘This is all so idealistic. I can’t imagine a more soothing place. Working in the city must be so much more tolerable if you know you have a haven to go home to.’
‘And work’s better now I can do a lot electronically,’ Duncan chipped in. ‘You can keep your high-rise views. Nothing beats what we have here.’
‘Do you get out of the city much, Lauren?’ Clair asked as she buttered her toast.
‘Occasionally. We drive up to the Blue Mountains or along the coast to go hiking. Beach walking is fun any season and easily accessible in Sydney.’
‘And who’s we?’
Lauren noted she gave no apologies for being inquisitive, didn’t need to. It was part of her caring nature.
‘A group of friends I’ve met since moving there. We now live in the same apartment block so we’re like family.’
As she spoke she looked across the table at Matt’s thoughtful expression, remembered earlier conversations and wondered if he’d come to the same sudden realisation. She had a second family, of her own ilk, and who she gelled with comfortably.
He quirked an eyebrow and his lips curled, causing fluttering in her belly and heat waves in her veins. She lifted her glass, drank the remainder of her freshly squeezed orange juice, and tried for a nonchalant demeanour.
MATT STRUGGLED FOR the same effect. His body still buzzed from the exhilaration of waking from deep satisfying sleep with Lauren curled into him, warm and irresistible. He had no idea what he’d eaten, drunk or said since they’d joined Duncan and Clair for the meal.
She was radiant. Her skin glowed and her expressive hazel eyes shone as brightly as any stars in a country sky. He’d heard and understood what she’d said. She had friends and support. She’d be all right when she went home.
Home. His half-empty barren unit. She’d taken three days of her leave. Allowing for the day or two he’d need her at work, she’d only be here for two more weeks. Forget the hotel. He’d ask her to stay with him.
The prospect of spending long evenings with her was intoxicating. The image of her sharing breakfast and dinner across the new table he’d bought because of her upped his pulse to uncountable. And as for the nights...
‘Matt?’
He crashed to earth with a thud. Clair’s eyes twinkled as she held up the coffee jug.
‘More coffee?’
‘Um... Please.’ He pushed his cup and saucer over to her, hoping his face wasn’t as red as it felt. She’d caught him out again.
‘As you two will be in Duncan’s study for most of the morning, Lauren and I will walk the dogs then I’ll show her over the house,’ Clair said, topping up her husband’s drink.
‘Just don’t let her get you in the small room off the lounge, Lauren,’ Duncan quipped. ‘That’s where her troublesome computer lurks and you’ll be trapped in there until dinner.’
‘Brute.’ Clair gave him a playful flick of her hand and they smiled blissfully at each other.
The painful gut wrench took Matt by surprise. Their affection was obvious after nearly thirty-five years of marriage. Duncan had mentioned their anniversary was in June and he intended to make it an extra special occasion.
He’d assumed it would be for show like his parents’ celebrations. Not any more. Like Lena and Mark, the interaction between them proved their feelings ran deep and true.
* * *
The dogs bounded down the back steps as soon as Lauren and Clair came out of the door, raced halfway across the lawn then stopped to ensure they were following.
‘They’re better
