Virginia knew exactly what he was up to—egging her on with some ridiculous taunt. How stupid does he think I am? She refused to be sucked in. Nonetheless, her eyes betrayed her as they latched onto his lips.

She liked his lips. Who wouldn't? They were wide, well-proportioned, and sensual—lips that got things done. As she blinked, her good conscience screamed at her like a coach on the sidelines who had lost all control over his team. Get your head back in the game!

"Kiss me, Ginny," Mark whispered, "even if it's just to say goodbye."

Goodbye. That word had new meaning now, weighed down by so much sorrow and emptiness. She came up with her own justification. One little kiss and walk away. Leave him standing alone like he did to you. That'll teach him! Deep down, she knew that was a lame excuse for what she was about to do. Deep down, she knew she really wanted to kiss him.

Leaning in, she placed a chaste kiss on those perfect lips. There, she thought, drawing back much slower than she had planned. His eyes were ablaze with a lustful yearning that was waaaay more persuasive than any childish goading ever could be. Just one more, she promised herself, stepping closer this time as she angled her head up to his.

But before she could make contact, hands had reached around her back to haul her against him. With his lips only inches from hers, he murmured, "I know you can do better than that, Ginny."

Oh, shiiiiiit.

His mouth came down on hers with ownership, his tongue sliding in with a familiarity that she knew she should be protesting. Instead, she dropped the T-shirt to move her arms up and around his neck.

That "coach" in her head admitted defeat and left. Game over.

God, he had ruined her for all other men. This was what she craved, had missed, had thought was gone forever—desire rushing in and stealing her breath, rippling through her stomach, pooling between her legs. She couldn't possibly try to substitute less and tell herself it was all right.

A tearing sound hit her ears. She brought her hands down to his chest and pushed away, backing up a few steps to find her shirt hanging at her sides. She looked to him for an explanation.

The smile was sly. "Sorry, did you want to keep that?" Blue eyes shifted downward, and his expression went from devilish to licentious in an instant, making her pulse race even faster than it already was.

No playing hard to get now.

Virginia shrugged the material from her shoulders and stepped forward, grabbing his shirt and wrenching it over his head. She was in a rush. Rampaging hormones will do that. His belt was next. She ripped open the buckle, yanked the leather through all the loops, and tossed it to the floor. He peeled off the knife holster, the big muscles in his chest and arms flexing and shifting with the effort. She stood frozen, unable to tear her eyes away, making her aware of how much she had missed having the right to watch the play of his powerful body as he moved.

The holster landed on the bathroom tiles with a muffled clank.

"You are going to have to take that off." Mark pointed at her waist. "Isn't it booby trapped or something?"

What? She looked down, her mind still caught up in the show. Oh, right. Her hands got busy, having to undo the belt keepers and buckle before placing the duty belt on the floor. She undid her trouser belt next while kicking off her shoes and socks. Her pants landed in a pile at her feet, and she stepped out of them. Down to only her bra and underwear, she felt the heat spread over her skin.

"All of it," he said as his eyes swept over her.

"You first." Virginia thrust her chin up as she eyed his trousers, proud of her momentary gumption.

He was gloriously naked within seconds, his erection heavy and thick. Good Lord, the man was magnificent. After a long, hungry look, she whipped her bra over her head and pushed her underwear to the ground. With a flick of her wrist, they joined the pile on the floor next to her. She clasped her hands together and kept them in front of her. Being totally on display was a risk, but she doubted he would notice any changes. Not at the moment anyway.

"Your hair. Take it down."

Are you going to let him order you around like that? The voice in her head was making a last ditch effort to put an end to the nonsense. But there was no denying the intensity in those eyes that enslaved her. She yanked on her hair tie, the falling waves covering her shoulders.

"Come here," he said thickly.

"You come here."

In the blink of an eye he had her backed up against the wall, his palms slapping against tile to brace his weight on either side of her head.

He was so close. He was not close enough.

"Stubborn as always, I see," he murmured in her ear before his mouth went to hers, kissing her roughly, thrusting in deep with his tongue.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him against her, thrilled by the deep moan of approval that made his chest vibrate. His erection folded between them, hard, demanding . . . overwhelming. God, she wanted him. Her body tingled like she'd been out in the cold and he was the heat returning circulation to her numbed-out parts.

Which was the case, wasn't it?

Momentary doubt pushed its way through the desire, stealing her attention. She'd handed this man her heart, but in doing so, she'd also given him a weapon he could use to cause devastating pain. And yet, what was the alternative? To not try? To not trust? To not feel . . . this?

He pulled back to look at her, cutting off the questions in her head. His hands came up to her face, warm and firm. "I want to savor this moment." His thumb brushed across her lower lip. "Is that what you want, Ginny?"

Nope. Up against the wall was going to be just fine with her. She hooked a leg around his hip, and with one smooth little leap, she jumped onto him, locking her arms at his neck and her mouth back onto his. He had no choice but to hold on tight. With a swing of her hips, she rubbed along his arousal.

He groaned and rushed over to the bed.

Yes! she silently celebrated, thinking she had won. No more Mr. Slow Poke. She giggled at the apt nickname.

"I love that sound," he whispered.

Laying her down, he spread her legs wide as his weight pushed her into the mattress. His mouth went to her neck, his tongue running down the side of her throat to brush light kisses across her collarbone. His hand inched its way down, a slow, torturous tease, until—

She jumped and gasped when he pinched her nipple, then moaned when he captured what lay beneath it, possessing it, possessing her.

Abruptly, he put space between them, smirking at the look of frustration that must have crossed her face. "Are you going to answer me?"

She growled, actually growled, like an animal. "Yes. Fine. Go slowly." She grabbed at his shoulders and yanked him back against her. "Just don't stop." Her hands shot into his hair to pull his mouth back down to hers.

With a self-satisfied chuckle his hand returned to her breasts, kneading one and then the other. She felt the muscles in his arms engage as he shifted and moved down her body.

"Yes," she breathed as his lips closed over her nipple, drawing it into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue, then teasing it with his teeth, making her insides turn to liquid. His hand worked the other breast, giving it its fair share of attention as he tugged on its tightened tip.

Her body cranked itself up to the point of no return. To hell with going slow—she needed him inside her. Now.

"Mark . . ." Her hips pushed against him in demand.

A low laugh rumbled from his chest. He was enjoying the exquisite torture he was delivering and wasn't about to speed up. As he continued with the sucking, a warm palm slid across her abs . . . lingering on her hip . . . small circles being drawn on her skin as a promise to go lower.

She lost all control and dug her heels into the bed, squirming beneath him in an attempt to maneuver her body toward his hand. "Touch me," she urged.

"Don't worry," he whispered as his hand reached between her thighs, "I'm going to do a whole lot more than just touch you, believe me."

His fingers made contact and there was one soft stroke and—

"Oh . . . God," she moaned, her body arching off the bed as she found her release. It lasted for . . . it must have been minutes, or maybe she had two back-to-back.

When the wave subsided, she met his gaze, seeing his mouth curled up into a wicked grin. "Did you miss me, Ginny?" he drawled.

Though her eyelids were heavy with post-coital bliss, she still managed to muster what she knew was a challenging look. "Don't get too cocky."

"Appropriate choice of words." He pushed against her, rubbing his erection along the apex of her thighs.

The sensation drew another moan from deep in her throat and her legs up to wrap around his hips. He repositioned himself, getting closer to where she was aching for him to go. She closed her eyes and braced herself, eager for the wondrous incursion that was about to happen. When he stilled, her eyes flashed open. Expecting to see the same teasing look, she was shocked by the seriousness of his expression.

He brushed his fingers through her hair. "I love you, Ginny. I've missed you," he said with unabashed emotion.

Reaching between their bodies, she grabbed his hard length in her hand, smiling when his big body jerked in response. "Then show me," she whispered, guiding him closer.

That was all it took.

He plunged into her with a groan, stretching and filling her to the point where she had to shift to accommodate him.

"Jesus," he ground out as his weight came down on her, making her feel wholly feminine as she accepted his dominance both inside and out. Warm breath brushed against her ear. He stayed motionless long enough for her to wonder if there was a problem, and she rocked her hips to get a reaction.

"Ginny. . ." he sighed as he propped himself up on thick arms, desire and devotion reflected in his eyes.

And then he started to move.

Ahh, yes. He surged and retreated above her, filling her senses but erasing all thoughts. She ran her hands along the muscles in his back, feeling them tighten and release. She moved under him, matching his pace.

Another orgasm was building, swirling out from where they were joined. And he knew it, working hard to draw it out, his own struggle to maintain self-control evident in the crease of his brow, the sheen of his skin, the shortness of his breath, the intensity of his stare.

"Again, Ginny," he commanded with carnal harshness. "I want to hear you."

That deep voice, that loving gaze, all that strength kept in check by his gentleness, it was all too impossible to deny. Grabbing his shoulders, she held on tight and exploded around him in great waves, calling his name, getting lost in the sensation, never wanting to let him go again.

)l(

As Virginia arched beneath him, her breasts thrust upward and Mark had the urge to take one of those perky crests into his mouth. Except that would mean stopping what he was doing, and right now, that was out of the question. His hips had switched to autopilot, swinging of their own accord to push harder and deeper, her body shifting underneath him. And she took it all, her legs squeezing, her hands exploring, her eyes encouraging.

His own orgasm came rushing in, pitching him forward with such force he had to grip the headboard for balance. His groan was like a yell as his hips slowed and dealt their final thrusts, feeling the warm wetness spread out between them.

Somewhere in the recesses of his mind, he had the brief realization, No condom.

He collapsed onto her, exhausted, out of breath, his heart pounding. He brushed his lips over her neck as his panting slowed, languishing in the feel of her sprawled out beneath him. She sighed and ran her nails across his back, causing shivers to spread out over his skin.

Afraid he was hurting her, he shifted his weight to his forearms. Lifting his head, he spotted a tear slip from closed eyes to make its way to her ear. Fear gouged into him as he caught the wet drop with his finger. Had he forced her to do something she had not wanted to do?

"Tears?" His voice was raw and filled with angst. Please don't have regrets, he pleaded silently.

She raised her lids, those beautiful eyes full of wonder. "I love you too."

His heart soared. It was a feeling unlike any other he had every experienced, a euphoria spreading from somewhere deep inside. He could feel the pride radiating off of him like the warmth of the sun on a glorious morning.

"You're doing it again . . . looking full of yourself," she teased.

"Can't help it." He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, grateful to have his woman back with him, right where she belonged.

END OF CHAPTER NINETEEN

Mark can be very persuasive ;) I know most of you are happy, but there are a few of you who may not be. Not to worry, there's still much more to come.

Virginia finally tells Mark she loves him! What did you think of that? Is it too soon?

Coming up: A big secret is revealed. Can you guess what it is? And no, it's not about the baby. Yet.