Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Later that night, Bob sighed in frustration. The owner of the farm had expected them, but he wasn’t happy with the attention their illegal crossing of the border had brought to his doorstep. The Cambodian authorities had shown up shortly before Bob and Marlowe, inquiring if the man had seen two American fugitives from Thailand on his property. He said he hadn’t, and after a quick search of the premises, they’d gone on their way.

That meant Bob and Marlowe had to lie low for the evening before continuing their journey the next day. Which wasn’t any different from the preceding days . . . except their situation seemed more dangerous now. It was even more risky to stay in one place for long. They were also still too close to the border for Bob’s comfort, but they needed to rest and regroup.

Marlowe needed shoes, and he was hurting from the fight. The knife-wielding security guard had made contact several times, and he had half a dozen shallow gashes in his arms that needed tending. His back was also throbbing. Bob knew exactly what had caused that particular pain.

That damn fence.

Marlowe had dug the prongs out of the ground and slipped under them without too many issues, but he hadn’t been so lucky. The rusty old metal had dug into his skin as he’d tried to squirm under the fence, gouging into his skin. Even without seeing the damage, Bob knew it wasn’t good—especially after falling into that disgusting canal.

But there was literally nothing he could do about his injuries. They wouldn’t stop him from making sure Marlowe was safe. Willis had arranged for them to fly out of Phnom Penh International Airport. It was the biggest airport in the country, and not too far from where Willis had contacts who would expedite them through security and get them to Tokyo, where they’d catch a plane back to the East Coast of the US.

They were currently in the farmer’s barn, in an empty stall between two others holding oxen, which the owner probably used to plow his fields. Instead of a hot shower, they’d been offered a hose on the side of the barn, but at least the water was cleaner than the muck he’d fallen into earlier.

He’d done his best to hose off thoroughly, knowing infection was a serious risk after his cuts were exposed to that canal. Once Marlowe had rinsed herself as well, the farmer gave them a bowl of fried rice to share, a sheet and two towels, and then quickly left the barn. It wasn’t the warmest welcome, but they were alive and together, so Bob was grateful.

He’d hung his shirt and pants over the edge of the stall to dry—as much as possible in the damp climate—and Marlowe had done the same. There was still plenty of light in the sky when she finally appeared in the entrance of the stall after using the hose to clean herself. At the sight of her, it was all Bob could do to remain sitting.

He’d spread the sheet out on a thick bed of hay and draped his towel over his lap. He made sure to keep his back to the wall, because the last thing he wanted was Marlowe freaking out over the ragged gouges. From what he could tell, blood still trickled slightly from the wounds, and he probably needed a few stitches, but that would have to wait.

For now, he wanted to hold Marlowe . . . to show her how deep his feelings ran . . . even if he couldn’t say the words. He refused to hold her back or make her feel obligated toward him if she didn’t feel the same.

“I . . . this is a little weird,” she blurted as she stood uncertainly in front of him. She had the towel wrapped around her body, but Bob could still see a lot of leg and thigh. He swallowed hard and held out his hand.

He couldn’t help but feel pleased when she immediately came to him. He helped her sit, then reached for the bowl of rice. Scooping out a spoonful, he held it to her lips.

“I can do that.”

“And hold on to that towel in a death grip at the same time?” he asked with a small grin.

She rolled her eyes, shrugged, then leaned forward and opened her mouth.

He slipped the spoon between her lips and couldn’t take his eyes off them as her tongue came out and licked some of the grease that had been left behind on her lips.

“Good?” he asked.

“Honestly? Yeah. It’s delicious.”

“I’m always starving after an adrenaline rush,” he told her before spooning up another helping and holding it out to her. They shared the rice until they’d finished it all, and Bob put the bowl off to the side.

The animals in the barn shuffled around, making quiet noises. The fact that they were calm made Bob feel relatively safe. He lay back, ignoring the pain it caused his back and careful not to dislodge the towel from over his crotch, and held out his arm. “Come here, Punky.”

She moved into his arms as if she’d done it every day of her life, instead of merely the last few days. Her head rested on his shoulder, and when she adjusted her body to lie more comfortably, the towel around her slipped, allowing him to feel her bare skin against his own. He shivered.

Marlowe lifted her head. “Are you okay?”

“Actually, yeah. I’m perfect,” he told her.

They lay like that for a long time, listening to the sounds of the animals around them, feeling more relaxed than they’d been for a week. Bob knew they weren’t home free—he wouldn’t relax completely until they were standing on US soil—but they were a hell of a lot closer than they’d been in days.

“What are you thinking?” she whispered. Her arm was draped over his stomach, her fingers absently caressing his side, and Bob was surprisingly comfortable on the borrowed sheet, despite lounging on hay. It was still hot and humid, but having Marlowe practically on top of him felt . . . right.

“Honestly? Just how much I’m enjoying this.”

“Yeah,” she agreed. After a moment, she added, “I feel as if I’ve known you for years . . . Is that weird? I mean, I know it’s probably just the intense situation we’ve been in, being on the run and hiding out, but I’ve never felt as comfortable with someone as I am with you. I’m not trying to pressure you in any way, or trying to get you to say something similar, I just . . . wanted you to know.”

She’d summed up what he’d been feeling almost perfectly. “I never say anything I don’t mean,” he told her. “I don’t agree with people just to be polite, and I’ve never been accused of being politically correct. April doesn’t let me answer the phone or emails back home, because she knows I don’t have the patience to be nice when people are being jerks. So trust me when I tell you that there’s nowhere I’d rather be right this moment than right here with you. In Cambodia. In this smelly stall. With you in my arms.”

Marlowe’s arm tightened as she gave him a hug. Her head lifted, and he gazed into her beautiful brown eyes. “Kendric?”

He smiled. She had a habit of doing that. Saying his name before asking a question or telling him something. “Yeah?”

“I lost a bunch of weight over the last month. So my boobs aren’t anything to write home about. And I need about ten hot showers in order to feel completely clean again . . . but I still want you.”

This woman slayed him. She had more bravery in her little finger than most people had in their entire bodies. He tightened his arm around her waist and rolled until she was lying on her back beneath him. His own towel had slid off, and they were both completely naked. His cock was already rock hard against her inner thigh.

His back gave a twinge as he moved, but he ignored it. At the moment, his entire attention was on Marlowe.

“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Punky. You’ve held up amazingly well over the last week . . . hell, the last month. And I’d have to say that your boobs are the best tits in the world, simply because they’re yours.” He leaned up a little farther and slowly ran a hand down her body. From her neck to her shoulder, down her chest—briefly touching the nipple that had hardened and was practically begging for his mouth—over her belly, and ending by brushing against her outer thigh.

“As for your body? You fit against me as if you were made to be here. Therefore, it’s perfect.”

“Kendric,” she whispered, clearly overwhelmed.

“I’ve been with a few women since I got out of the Army, but I’ve never wanted any of them more than I wanted to breathe. I slept with them because I was restless. I’d have been just as happy going skydiving to burn some nervous energy—which explains why it took me too much time and concentration just to get off. But with you? I want you so badly, Marlowe, it’s all I can do to control myself and not blow right here and now.”

“Then take me. I’m yours,” she said, running her hands up and down his arms.

She was. His, that is. He had a marriage certificate in the pocket of his pants that said so.

Their names at the bottom of the form flashed in his brain. Kendric and Marlowe Evans. He’d never thought he’d get married, but now he was borderline obsessed with the idea. She was his, just as he was hers.

Then another thought struck him—and he closed his eyes in frustrated anger.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“I can’t protect you,” he blurted.

She frowned in confusion. “Kendric, you’ve been protecting me just fine for a week.”

She was so cute. “No, Punky. I don’t have any condoms. I can’t protect you from getting pregnant.”

“Oh. Um . . . okay, this is awkward, but . . . we’re adults, right? We can talk about this. I haven’t had my period for a while. I guess it’s because of stress, or maybe because I wasn’t eating much and lost a bunch of weight. I’m thinking that I probably can’t get pregnant right now even if I wanted to. So . . . it’s okay.”

It wasn’t okay. Bob hated the thought of her body basically shutting down its normal functions because she wasn’t getting the nutrients she needed. “We can wait,” he said, even though the words almost physically hurt. He wouldn’t do anything that might put this woman at risk.

“I want kids,” she blurted. “And I mean, I’ve always wanted them. That’s what I really want to do—be a stay-at-home mom. It’s not a popular opinion, and of course I had to work to support myself. But being a mom is the only job I’ve ever truly wanted. I want to watch my kids grow up. I want to be there when they go off to school and welcome them home in the afternoons. I want to learn how to cook, and maybe sew, and honestly, I don’t even mind housework.

“What I’m saying is that if—and that’s a huge if—I get pregnant from being with you, I . . . I wouldn’t be upset about it. I’m thirty-five. Not getting any younger. And I wouldn’t ask for anything from you. I wouldn’t bug you for money, or support, or anything you don’t want to give.”

“If you had my child, I’d want to be a part of his or her life,” Bob warned. “I wouldn’t be that asshole father who didn’t support his kids—or their mother.”

They stared at each other for a long, drawn-out moment.

Abruptly, he chuckled. “Look at us, married one day and planning our family the next,” he drawled.

She giggled. “It’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?” he asked without thought. For some reason, nothing about this situation felt ridiculous.

“No. It feels right,” Marlowe finally whispered.

And there she went again. Being braver than he could ever imagine.

“Make love to me, Kendric. Please. Whatever happens, happens. Tomorrow, the Cambodian authorities could find me and drag me back to Thailand. We could be bitten by a rabid mosquito. Mauled by a feral ox. I don’t know. All I know is that if I don’t get a chance to feel you deep inside of me, at least once, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”

She was right. They had this moment, and he’d been thinking about making love to her nearly every minute since he’d said “I do.” And even before, if he was honest. Since that kiss.

She was his wife, and he was her husband. Everything he’d done in his life felt as if it had led to this moment. She was his reward.

Bob’s head lowered without another thought. He kissed her gently at first. Telling her without words that he’d keep her safe. Would make sure nothing happened to her. That he’d treat her with care.

But apparently care wasn’t what Marlowe wanted. She immediately fisted his hair, tilted her head, and thrust her tongue into his mouth. Their tongues dueled and caressed, and Bob felt himself panting as he pulled his head back to take in some much-needed oxygen.

Her hand snaked down his body, and she wrapped her fingers around his cock.

“Holy crap,” he muttered as she touched him with firm, confident strokes. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand away. “Any more of that and there won’t be any lovemaking at all, because I’ll be done,” he warned.

“You’re young,” she said with a smile. “You’ll recover.”

But Bob didn’t want to come anywhere but deep inside her body. He needed to claim her in the way that men had been claiming their women for centuries. It was old school and a little caveman-ish and a lot careless, but he didn’t care. At the moment, in this barn, after everything they’d been through, he was going to take whatever she was willing to give. Was going to claim this woman as his own.

He leaned down—wincing as the wounds on his back protested—and clamped his mouth around one of her nipples. She hadn’t lied; she was small. But her nipples were extremely sensitive. She arched her back and let out a small cry as he suckled her. One of her hands returned to his hair as she held him against her chest.

Bob licked and sucked. And while he was loving what he was doing, he needed more. A hand snaked down her body, and his fingers brushed through the curls between her thighs. She moaned again and opened her legs for him, giving him access to her most private parts.

She was soaking wet already, and Bob’s heart rate sped up. She wanted him. She wasn’t with him out of a sense of gratitude. She truly wanted him, as much as he wanted her.

Bob wanted to take his time. Wanted to worship her body from head to toe. But his dick had other ideas. A spurt of precome escaped from the tip. He was on the edge. Needed to make this woman his in the most primal way.

He came to his knees over her and gripped her inner thighs, opening her even farther. Then he fisted the base of his cock and scooted forward. His gaze was locked on her pussy.

“Yes,” Marlowe half moaned, half pleaded from under him. Her hands went to his thighs and her nails dug in . . . even as he suddenly hesitated.

Instinctively, Bob knew making love to her would change his life. He’d never be able to let her go. He’d be one of “those” guys. The ridiculous mushy ones who called and texted their women fourteen times a day to make sure they were all right. A man who bought her flowers for no reason. Who shook his head and just smiled when she spent too much money.

Who worshipped the ground she walked on.

And he didn’t care.

She had him wrapped around her little finger already, and she didn’t even know it.

“Kendric?” she whispered a little uneasily.

Shit, his hesitation had made her question herself. He reached for her hand and brought it back to his cock. He sighed as she wrapped her fingers around him. Her touch felt good. Too good.

“You do it. Put me inside you,” he said in a low growl.

“It’s been a while for me,” she admitted a little shyly.

“I’ll go slow,” he said immediately.

He saw her nod, then bite her lip as she stroked him before pushing his hard dick down and notching him to her opening.

Bob saw stars. Literal fucking stars. Heaven was waiting. All he needed was one hard thrust to experience it. But he’d go slow if it killed him.

Marlowe was tight. And even though she was wet, her body wasn’t letting him inside very easily.

It took every ounce of control he had, but Bob refused to do anything that might hurt her or make this experience, their first, anything but life changing and pleasurable.

He braced himself on one hand and used the other to seek out her clit. She jerked under him at the first touch of his finger on the sensitive bundle of nerves, but her body relaxed enough for the head of his cock to slip inside her a little bit farther.

“Oh!” she exclaimed.

“That feel good, Punky?” he asked, already knowing the answer, but wanting to hear more of her husky words.

“Yes! So good. More, Kendric.”

Anything she wanted, she’d get. Bob continued to stroke her clit, reaching down every now and then and using her own natural lubrication to ease his way.

It wasn’t long before her hips were rocking toward him, begging for more. With each movement, he was able to slip farther and farther inside. Bob didn’t know if she even realized she was moving.

Before long, her hips were thrusting up and down, and she was basically taking him from below.

It was one of the most sensual and erotic things Bob had ever experienced. He held himself still over her as he did his best to keep his hand on her clit and continue to stroke. Her eyes closed and her head flew back as she concentrated on the pleasure that was building.

Bob was loving this. Couldn’t wait for her to explode around him.

As he watched her take her pleasure, something registered in his brain. Stalks of hay were in Marlowe’s hair. He’d rolled them right off the sheet, and she was lying on straw. The same straw some animal was probably standing on earlier in the day. Which was unacceptable.

Without pulling out of her, Bob clamped his hands on her hips and rolled them again. If anyone was going to be lying on the rough straw, it would be him.

Marlowe jolted and looked down at him from her new position. Her legs were spread around his hips and his cock was halfway inside her.

“Take me, Marlowe Evans,” he said gruffly, holding her waist tightly. “As hard and deep as you want.” He moved a hand between her legs once more and realized he had better access to her clit in this position. Not giving her a chance to feel awkward about being on top if she was unused to it, he stroked her hard and fast.

She froze over him and arched her back. Her nipples were hard on her chest, and she was panting within seconds. “Kendric,” she cried as she finally moved her hips, trying to keep his fingers where she wanted them.

He stared at his cock. He wasn’t inside her fully, and he so wanted to slam her down against him. But that might hurt her. So he clenched his teeth and let her have complete control over their lovemaking.

She tilted her head down and looked at where they were joined—then gasped. “You aren’t even all the way in,” she blurted, reading his mind.

He smiled. “I’m big,” he said with no ego whatsoever. “Only take what’s comfortable for you.”

Marlowe blew his mind by looking him in the eyes and saying, “I want all of you.” She wiggled over him, rocking forward and back, and the next thing he knew, all of her body weight was on him, their pubic hair meshed . . . and she’d taken him fully inside.

They both groaned, and Bob felt his cock twitch inside her body. She felt fucking amazing. Wet, tight, and so goddamn hot, she was practically scalding him. And he never wanted to leave.

His fingers moved on her clit, and suddenly he needed to feel her come on his dick. Needed to feel her muscles spasming around him. It became his goal in life.

She jerked in his grip, both outwardly and inwardly, and Bob’s balls let loose another long spurt of precome deep within her body.

“Holy crap, Kendric! You feel so good. I’m so full!”

“Come for me, Marlowe. Come all over my dick. Let me feel it. I’ve got you, let loose, baby.”

He didn’t really know what he was saying, just that he wanted to reassure her. That he’d catch her as she fell. He stroked her clit harder. Her hips began to undulate faster, but she didn’t come off his cock even an inch. She kept him stuffed inside her as far as she could get him.

His balls pulled up, preparing to release their load. Gritting his teeth, Bob held on by a thread. She felt too good. His emotions were overflowing with everything he felt for his woman—including love.

He stared up at her face in wonder as she got closer and closer to the edge. Her fingernails dug into the bare skin of his chest. He didn’t feel the sting of the knife cuts he’d gotten earlier. Didn’t feel the coarse straw irritating the wounds in his back. All he could feel and see was Marlowe.

Suddenly, every muscle in her body tightened, and she held herself still on top of him. She was on the verge. All she needed was a nudge and she’d be flying.

Bob pinched her clit between his fingers and was rewarded with a strangled scream from his woman; then his cock felt like it was in a vise as she flew over the edge.

Marlowe couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t see. She couldn’t think. All she could do was feel as she had the most intense orgasm she’d ever experienced. She had no idea how long she was out of it, but when she finally opened her eyes and looked down at the man she loved under her, she was smiling.

“That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Thank you,” Kendric said reverently.

She should be thanking him. “Did you . . . ? I’m sorry, I should know, but I was too busy soaring through the stars and didn’t register anything that was happening around me . . . or in me,” she added with a small shrug.

His smile widened. “No. I was too busy watching and feeling your pleasure.”

Marlowe felt her cheeks heat with a blush.

“What do you need from me to come?” she asked boldly. She was a woman determined to satisfy her man. Not a sixteen-year-old kid experimenting with sex for the first time.

“Not much. I’m so on the edge it’s not even funny,” he said a little sheepishly.

Experimenting, Marlowe tightened her inner muscles, squeezing him tightly deep within her body, and was rewarded by his fingers gripping her hips and a groan escaping his lips.

She slowly lifted a fraction, then lowered herself once more.

“Yes, just like that. Slow and steady,” he told her, practically panting.

Smiling, loving the power she apparently had over him, Marlowe lifted off him once more. She stopped, hovering, surprised at the rush of wetness she felt seeping out of her body.

“Holy shit, that feels incredible!” Kendric gasped. He moved a hand between them and stroked the part of his cock that was outside her body, brushing against her sensitive lower lips as he did.

“We’re soaked,” he said unnecessarily. “I feel you on my balls. It’s amazing. I want more. Move, Marlowe. As long as it’s not painful for you.”

It didn’t hurt. Not at all. Yes, he was big and it had taken a bit for her to be able to take him all the way inside her, but now? She was slick and relaxed from her orgasm, and she wanted everything he had to give her.

She hadn’t lied earlier. She did want children. She didn’t think making love tonight would produce a child, not with everything else going on with her body, but if she did get pregnant, she’d love their baby with every ounce of energy in her.

She began to move. Up and down. Squeezing her inner muscles as she bottomed out on him, wanting him to experience what she had.

“Marlowe . . . yes! You feel so good. You have no idea.”

She loved how out of control he sounded, the way he was babbling his every thought. Needing more, wanting his complete surrender, Marlowe began to move faster. Soon the sound of their skin slapping together echoed throughout the barn as she rode him hard.

Just as her thigh muscles began to shake from exertion, Kendric clamped his hands around her hips and pulled her down on top of him. He was so far inside her, it almost hurt. He groaned, his hips jerking as he came.

It was the most intimate thing Marlowe had ever done. The look on Kendric’s face was almost one of pain as he filled her. She was still staring at his face when his eyes popped open and his hand moved. He roughly began to tweak her clit once more, and she jerked in surprise.

“One more,” he demanded. “I need to feel you come around me again.”

His touch was almost overwhelming, but in a good way. She tried to squirm away for a moment of relief, but he held her tightly. “Kendric,” she moaned as the pleasure rose within her much faster than it had before.

“That’s it. Squeeze me, just like that. I can feel your muscles fluttering on my cock. You feel so unbelievable. If I could live inside you, I would. As much as I love filling you with my seed, I love this even more. Feeling your pleasure from the inside. It’s incredible, Marlowe.”

His words cascaded over her like a warm tropical waterfall. She couldn’t stop herself from undulating against him, on his cock, as he brought her closer and closer to the edge. She wasn’t the kind of woman who had multiple orgasms during a sexual encounter. Hell, many times she never even had one. But she was quickly approaching the edge for the second time, and this one felt even more intense than her first.

“You’re mine, Marlowe. You took my name. Now you’re taking my cock. It’s yours. All of me is yours. Do it, Punky. Let go. I’ll catch you.”

The practical part of her had a feeling he was saying the things he was because they were in the throes of sex. Really good sex, but once their endorphin high was gone, reality would set in and he’d probably be embarrassed at the things he’d proclaimed. But for now, she let his words settle in her soul.

A little scream left her throat as he pushed her over the edge. She trembled and shook in his grip, and she heard him moan under her.

When she could breathe again, she felt boneless. Kendric lowered her onto his chest, still buried deep inside her body. She could feel their combined juices leaking out from between their bodies, and she had the thought that she was glad she didn’t have to sleep in the wet spot. He held her against his chest and stroked her back with his big hands.

“Holy crap,” she mumbled when she felt as if she could speak again.

He chuckled under her, and Marlowe could only smile at the intimate way she felt his laughter because she was draped over him.

“That was amazing. Seriously. I’ve never felt that before.”

Marlowe lifted her head and frowned. “Really?”

“Nope. I take care of the women I sleep with, but I’ve never been inside one when she came.”

Marlowe supposed she should feel weird about her man talking about sex with other women, but since he was basically saying she’d given him an experience he’d never had before, and because she was the one he was still buried deep within, she wasn’t concerned.

“I’m gonna want that again,” he warned. “Probably every time you come. That going to be a problem?”

It was her turn to laugh. “Did you seriously just ask that?” she said as she lowered her cheek back to his chest.

“I wasn’t sure if you thought it was weird or anything,” he defended.

“Anytime you want to make me come, you just go right on ahead,” she teased. She felt his cock twitch inside her and couldn’t stop the grin from forming on her face. He didn’t seem as if he was in any hurry to move. He simply lay under her, letting her use him as a pillow as he stroked her back, her arms, her hair.

“Kendric?”

“Yeah?”

She hadn’t missed the way he’d called her Marlowe Evans when they’d been in the middle of making love. She wanted to be his wife for real, more than she wanted almost anything in the world, but she was well aware that their situation wasn’t normal. It was incredibly intense, and they’d been relying on each other in ways that some couples never would. She couldn’t hold him to anything once they got back to their real worlds.

“Do you really think we’re going to make it home?”

“Yes.” His answer was immediate and almost forceful. “I’m going to get you home, Marlowe.”

She sighed. Was it weird that she almost didn’t want to go home now? Probably. She knew things between her and Kendric would change when they left.

“It’ll take three or four days to get to the airport,” Kendric told her. “Once there, I’ll get a hold of my contact, and he’ll arrange for us to have passports, in fake names if he deems it necessary, once he sees what’s going on with Thailand and your situation. We’ll be home in less than another week.”

“That’s good,” she said, her reply sounding a little weak to her own ears.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, completely in tune with her feelings.

“I just . . . I want to go home, don’t get me wrong. But . . .” Her words tapered off.

“You can tell me anything,” he reassured her.

“I’ve gotten used to having you around,” she said, trying to lighten her tone so her words didn’t feel quite so serious.

But Kendric didn’t laugh. Didn’t make a joke. Instead, he said, “Look at me, Marlowe.”

Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head so she could see his face.

“I want to see you when we get back. I don’t know how it’ll work, since I’m ready to settle down in Maine for good and you’ll be wherever you’ll be. But I don’t want us to lose touch.”

Her heart sped up. What was he saying exactly? She was too chicken to ask him outright. “I want that too.”

“Good,” he said, sounding relieved. “I want you to meet my friends. They’re going to love you. They’ll probably try to convince you to move to Newton. If you’re not careful, April will have rented an apartment for you before we can even get home.”

Marlowe rested her head back down on Kendric’s chest and used her fingers to trace little circles on his skin. She didn’t think she’d mind living in Newton. It sounded like the kind of town that would be safe for raising kids. She’d had more than enough adventure to last her a lifetime. “My brother is going to love you too,” she told him.

“I’m looking forward to meeting him,” Kendric said.

Unexpectedly, tears sprang to Marlowe’s eyes. She wanted this. Lying in Kendric’s arms, talking, sharing. But she was smart enough to know nothing was ever this easy.

He’d have to deal with his friends being upset for not telling them about his missions. And while he might say he was ready to settle down, she wasn’t sure that was exactly true. He’d go back to Maine and inevitably get bored once again. How could she compete with the adrenaline rush he got while saving others? She couldn’t.

The thought of him going who-knows-where and putting himself in danger wouldn’t be something she could stomach. Not when she’d experienced firsthand how dangerous his missions could be. Asking him to stop wouldn’t be fair to Kendric, though. He was who he was, and she’d never want to hold him back.

The truth of the matter was that being with her would be boring. She wanted a slow and easy life from here on out, and this man would never do well with slow and easy. He was born to help others. To live on the edge.

“Are you crying? Did I hurt you? Shit!” he exclaimed, trying to move from under her.

But Marlowe clutched him to her and shook her head. “No! You’d never hurt me. I’m just feeling emotional. You know, everything’s catching up with me.” She hated the small lie, but it wasn’t completely untrue.

He relaxed under her once more, and his hands returned to stroking her back. “You’re okay, Punky. You’re safe. We’ll head out in the morning. I think it’s at least a little safer to travel during the day, now that we’re out of Thailand. We’ll get you some shoes, some clean clothes, and when we get to the airport, I’ll get a hold of my contact and get us out of here.”

She nodded and closed her eyes once more. He was still buried deep in her body, and Marlowe had never felt as safe as she did at that moment. Even though they were in a barn, and she still longed for a real shower and soap, she was more content than she’d felt in a very long time.

“I should move and clean us up,” he muttered.

But Marlowe gripped him tighter. “No. It’s okay.”

He chuckled. “I can see someone isn’t going to want to sleep in the wet spot, huh?”

His words made it seem as if they had a future together. More nights of making love and deciding who would sleep where. “Sex without a condom is messy,” she said after a moment.

“I hadn’t realized just how much,” he said, still completely relaxed under her.

Marlowe lifted her head once again. “Really?”

“Really. I wasn’t ready to be a father before.”

His words lay heavy around them. She wasn’t sure of the connotations in that statement. That he wasn’t ready before, but he was now? She sighed. “I don’t mind the mess,” she said after a minute. “I mean, I’m not sure I’d like walking around feeling your come leaking from between my legs, but this? Lying here with you still inside me? It’s . . . intimate.”

“Yeah,” he agreed.

She felt him hardening again, and she grinned against his chest.

“Marlowe?”

“Yes?” she replied, feeling excitement and arousal ramp up inside her once again as he filled her.

“Are you sore?”

“No.”

“I want you again,” he said bluntly.

“You can be on top,” she told him a little shyly as she sat up on him once again.

But he shook his head. “No. I don’t want your skin touching the hay.”

She frowned down at him. “Why not?”

“Because it’s scratchy. And dirty.”

“And that’s okay for you but not me?”

“Yup.”

“That’s not fair,” she protested.

Kendric merely shrugged. “Don’t care. To love and protect, cherish and honor, respect and nurture. That’s what I promised, and I take my vows seriously.”

Marlowe’s heart melted.

“Besides, I know you like being on top. And I like you there. Take me, woman. I want to fill you up again.”

She rolled her eyes. “You really are bossy.”

“It’s good you’re learning this now. Move, woman. Please.”

So she did.

Hours later, Marlowe woke slowly in Kendric’s arms. The animals were stirring around them, so she had a feeling the owner of the farm would make an appearance soon. They needed to get up, get dressed, and start heading south for the airport.

But she couldn’t make herself move. She was still lying on top of Kendric, although they’d managed to get half the sheet draped over themselves after the last time they made love. They’d both come again and had spent at least an hour talking about their lives. Their hobbies and their likes and dislikes, and Kendric had told her more stories about his friends and some of the missions he’d been on while in the Army.

He’d also told her more about Newton, the town in Maine where he lived. Her mouth watered at hearing about Granny’s Burgers. She was fascinated by his friend who was a prince, and mentally shuddered at the thought of having to go to Liechtenstein to meet the king and queen and have some sort of formal, very public wedding ceremony, like Cal and June would be doing at some point.

She couldn’t help but think that her own ceremony had been perfect. Just her and Kendric. She’d treasure the memories of their host pouring water over their hands to bless them, of Kendric saying “I do.” And even though they’d spent their wedding night stuffed in that tiny space in the floor, it was one of the best experiences she’d ever had.

She was plastered against Kendric right that moment just as tightly as she’d been on their wedding night, but this time they were both naked and replete from their multiple orgasms. Marlowe was feeling mellow.

But when Kendric jerked violently under her, she was immediately on alert.

“Cal! Where’s Cal?”

“Shhhh, it’s okay,” Marlowe soothed.

“Chappy! Are you all right? Please hang in there!”

“They’re safe,” she told him, smoothing her hand down his chest, trying to calm him.

Kendric had told her that he didn’t sleep well, that he had nightmares, but up until now, she hadn’t thought much about it since he’d rarely slept at all on their journey. Apparently he’d let down his guard enough for his brain to go into REM sleep, and he was now having one of those nightmares he’d mentioned. Her heart broke for him.

“Marlowe! Run! Go, go, go!”

She blinked. He was dreaming about her? It broke her even more, knowing that helping her escape had provided new material for bad dreams.

“Get your hands off her! No! Marlowe! I’ll get you out! I promise! Don’t give up! I’ll find you!”

“I’m right here, I’m safe,” Marlowe tried again, but Kendric wasn’t hearing her.

He sat up, dislodging her from his chest as easily as if she wasn’t even there. “I’m coming! No, get off her! Marlowe! Don’t touch her, you bastards! Nooooooo!”

The last word was more of a wail, and Marlowe was desperate to wake him now. To stop whatever was happening in his head. She climbed onto his lap, straddling him and putting her hands on his cheeks. “Kendric! Wake up! I’m right here. No one is touching me. We’re safe and in Cambodia. Please wake up!”

For a moment, she thought it wasn’t working, that he was still stuck in whatever horror he was dreaming about—but then he blinked and his gaze found hers.

“That’s it. You’re okay. We’re both okay. Wake up for me. I’m right here.”

“Marlowe?” he croaked.

“Yeah, it’s me.”

“Shit,” he breathed, lowering his head until his nose was buried in her neck. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Do you want to talk about your dream?”

“No.”

His response was immediate and firm.

“Okay. But you’re good. We’re both okay.”

He abruptly lay back, and Marlowe let out a surprised squeak. He held her tightly against him as he kept his eyes closed and breathed hard, obviously trying to shake the aftereffects of his nightmare.

Marlowe continued to stroke him, reassure him that she was fine, that he was too, and that it was only a bad dream.

Finally, he quietly mumbled, “I hate dreaming. Hate it.”

“It’s why you don’t let yourself sleep much, right?” she asked.

Kendric nodded. “Ever since I was a captive, I’ve had nightmares. I’ve talked to psychologists and therapists and even a few sleep specialists. They all say the same thing. That they’ll eventually fade away. But it’s been years, and they’re still just as vivid as they were right after we were rescued.”

“It’s because you care so much,” she said firmly. “If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be so worried about your friends.”

“I never remember much about the dreams. Just that I’m frantic and trying to get to my friends and can’t,” he admitted. His eyes opened and looked up at her. “I’ve never come out of them as fast as I did just now, though. Usually it takes me hours to feel like myself again. But with you here . . . touching me . . . it helps.”

It felt good to know she could help him at least a little. “Good.”

They lay there for a few minutes before Kendric sighed. “We need to get up. I don’t want the farmer seeing your butt.”

Marlowe giggled. “Well, I don’t want him seeing yours either,” she countered.

“Don’t think it’s my butt he’d be interested in,” Kendric told her with a smirk.

“You never know. It’s a damn fine butt,” Marlowe protested.

“How do you know? You didn’t see it last night. You were too busy admiring my cock, and sitting on it.”

Marlowe felt herself blushing. “Whatever.”

He laughed. Loudly. “God, you’re adorable. Take the towels and clean up with the hose. I’ll make do with the sheet, and we’ll be on our way. I’ll talk to the farmer about shoes for you, and we’ll stop at the first shop we find and get you some clothes.”

“You’re too good to me,” she blurted.

“No such thing,” he returned. Then pulled her down and kissed her gently. “Thank you for last night. You gave me a gift I’ll cherish forever.”

“I didn’t give you anything,” Marlowe protested.

“You gave me you,” he said. He stood with her in his arms, set her on her feet, and handed her the towels that had been pushed to the side the night before. “Go on before the farmer gets here.”

She nodded and wrapped one of the towels around her body before turning to head out of the stall. She looked back once and saw Kendric’s gaze was still glued to her. He hadn’t moved to get dressed. In the soft predawn light peeping through the slats in the barn, she admired his form right back. He was so muscular, looked as strong as the trees he talked about cutting up back home in Maine. It was hard to believe she’d spent the night with him. That he wanted her. But it was obvious by his growing erection that he definitely hadn’t been with her out of pity.

She gave him a small smile and left the barn, heading for the outdoor spigot. As much as she wanted to go right back to bed with Kendric, she felt grubby, and they really did need to get going. Being this close to the border made her nervous. As if someone would burst in at any moment and drag her back to prison. The sooner they made their way south to the airport, the better she’d feel.