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  His arms went around her tightly as she fell into his embrace. They lay on the ground wrapped in each other’s arms, enjoying the luxury of the unhurried touch, the freedom to just be close.

  Finally, Josh took her hand and helped her to her feet. As they walked hand in hand back toward the hangar, he asked, “What did you think about skydiving?”

  “I was scared out of my mind,” Adriana said with a laugh. “At first. Then it was exciting and adventurous, even though I was still terrified that I was going to kill you before we hit the ground.”

  “So you think you might want to do it again?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Good.” He grinned. “Because I won’t get to jump again unless you jump with me.”

  “What about Rob?” Adriana felt a horrible sinking feeling. “He can’t jump without you.”

  “He jumps with the other guys all the time. You’re the only diving partner I need.”

  “Will you teach me so I can be on top sometimes?”

  Josh pulled her into his arms and kissed her so thoroughly her own knees began to buckle. “You can be on top any time you want to,” he murmured warmly into her ear, then kissed her again.

  Back at the hangar, the two strange men introduced themselves as Kaleb and Justin.

  “The Lamia Council reported that you were missing and possibly abducted,” Justin said. “However, it looks to me more like the Rowans told it.”

  “Were they the ones who told you how to find us?” Josh asked. “I promise you if Cemil has been giving out Adriana’s information when he wouldn’t give it to me, I am really truly going to kick his ass.”

  “Actually, it was Myron who gave you away,” Kaleb said with a laugh. “She said she owed you guys one. And she asked me to tell you, Josh, that the answer is ‘Yes, you’ll see Adriana again.’”

  Before the two operatives drove away in their unmarked gray sedan, Adriana hugged them. “It’s just nice to be able to touch people,” she said to Josh as he gave her a very questioning look.

  When they returned to Josh’s car, Adriana turned on her new phone. It rang almost immediately. Before she could even answer, Josh’s rang as well. They each looked at the caller ID and said in unison, “It’s my mom.”

  “I think we’ve both got some explaining to do.” Adriana laughed anxiously as she ignored the call.

  Josh did the same and grinned at her again. “As far as I’m concerned, the two of us are about as married as a couple can get.” He brought her hand to his lips to plant a warm gentle kiss on her fingertips right beneath her engagement ring. “But for my mom’s sake, I think we’d better go ahead and plan a real wedding.”

  “Sounds wonderful. I want to meet and hug your entire family—all twenty-five cousins.”

  “But after it’s over, let’s run away somewhere really good for our honeymoon. Some place peaceful and quiet where we can breathe and light candles.”

  “Gee, where on earth could you possibly mean?”

  That evening, tangled together in Josh’s bed, Adriana didn’t feel any need to rush to make love. Instead, she simply lay beside him, savoring the way she fit against him, like two halves that had made a whole.

  The energy of the earth vibrated between them with a soft hum. Josh gazed into her eyes and ran a finger down her cheek. “I love your stormy eyes,” he whispered.

  “You better love me. You’re bound to me.”

  “That means you have to stay with me,” Josh whispered into her ear. “No more running away.”

  “Never.” She cuddled even closer into the warmth of his chest and ran her fingers across the tight muscles of his stomach.

  “Good.” He tightened his arm around her shoulders and pressed a kiss onto her forehead. “I don’t ever want to be without you again.”

  Adriana lifted her face to his, and his lips met hers, softly at first, then more intently as she roamed her hand freely over his stomach.

  The hum between them increased as he stroked her back, then cupped the curve of her hip in his hand. She sighed and melted against him more closely, letting her fingers explore the strength of his shoulders as he pressed passionate kisses into her neck.

  Beside the bed, the lamp began to glow ever so slightly. She nibbled at his ear and delighted in the shiver that ran through him. But when his exploring mouth found a sensitive place just beneath her collarbone, she was the one who couldn’t help but tremble.

  As their leisurely exploration became more purposeful, the bedside lamp shone brighter and brighter in the overflow of the energy that thrummed between them. Without warning it gave a loud pop and went dark.

  Adriana squeaked in surprise, but Josh continued to fondle her.

  “No more light bulbs in the bedroom,” he said, then bent his head to tease her breast with the tip of his tongue.

  “I wonder if we can make the entire city go dark?” She arched her back with an exhalation of pleasure.

  “We’re going to try,” he promised.

  The hum between them reached a crescendo, and across Mobile, lights flickered and went out.

  About the Author

  Leigh Daley makes her home in rural North Alabama with her husband, grown children who come and go, and Scooter, the most precious dog on the earth. She believes that happily ever after is for everyone and loves to read and write about ordinary people who find extraordinary love--usually under extraordinary circumstances! She tries to live simply yet fully and eat like a cavewoman; however, chocolate frequently intervenes.

  www.leighdaleywrites.blogspot.com

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/author.leigh.daley