Opposites Attract

over his face. Wasn’t this what he wanted? To have her again, to prove he could, to purge his system of her once and for all? Motives dimmed in desire. There was only Asher—the sweet taste of her, her scent more heady, more seductive than the garden of flowers. He couldn’t breathe and not fill himself on her. So he surrendered to the persuading lips and soft body that had haunted his dreams.
    Dragging his lips from hers only a moment, Ty pulled her through the fragile branches of a willow. The sun filtered through the curtain of leaves, giving intermittent light. In the cool dimness his mouth sought hers again and found it yielding. The blood pounded in his veins.
    He had to know if her body was the same, unchanged during the years he’d been denied her. As his hand took her breast he groaned. She was small and firm and familiar. Through the material of her jacket he felt the nipple harden in quick response. Impatient, he tugged the zipper down, then dove under her shirt until he found the smooth tender flesh that had always made him feel his hands were too rough. Yet she didn’t draw away as his calluses met her. She pressed against him. Her moan was not one of discomfort, but of unmistakable pleasure.
    Trembling, her fingers reached for his hair. He could feel the urgency in them just as he could taste it on her heated lips. He broke his kiss only to change angles, then deepened it, allowing his tongue to drink up all the dark flavors of her mouth. Against his palm her heart thudded wildly, but only his fingers moved to arouse her.
    Slowly his other hand journeyed to her hip to mold the long, slender bone. He was lost somewhere between yesterday and today. The heavy fragrance of flowers still wet with morning dew was more seductive than perfume. Half dreaming, Ty took his mouth to her throat. He heard her sigh float off on the scented air. Was she dreaming too? Was the past overlapping this moment for her as well as for him? The thoughts drifted into his mind, then out again before they could be answered. Nothing mattered but that he was holding her again.
    From far off came a ripple of laughter. Ty brought his mouth back to Asher’s. A rapid smattering of French drifted to him. Ty drew her closer until their bodies seemed fused. Footsteps and a giggle. Like a dreamer, he sensed the intrusion and swore against it. For another moment he clung, drawing on her lingering passion.
    When he released her, Asher was breathless and swaying. Wordlessly he stared down at her with eyes nearly black with emotion. Her lips were parted, swollen from his, and he gave in to need and kissed her one long last time. Gently now, slowly, to store up every dram of sweetness. This time she trembled, her breath coming harsh and fast like that of a diver who breaks surface after a long submersion. Disoriented, she gripped his arms.
    How long had they been there? she wondered. It could have been seconds or days. All she was sure of was that the longing had intensified almost beyond control. Her blood was racing in her veins, her heart pounding desperately. She was alive. So alive. And no longer certain which path she would take.
    “Tonight,” Ty murmured, bringing her palm to his lips.
    The vibration shot up her arm and into her core. “Ty . . .” Asher shook her head as she tried to draw her hand away. His fingers tightened.
    “Tonight,” he repeated.
    “I can’t.” Seeing the temper shoot into his eyes, Asher covered their joined hands with her free one. “Ty, I’m frightened.”
    The quiet admission killed his anger. He let out a weary sigh. “Damn you, Asher.”
    Saying nothing, she wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek to his chest. Automatically Ty reached to smooth her hair. His eyes closed. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I was frightened of you once before. It seems to be happening again.” And I love you, she told him silently. As much as ever. More, she realized. More, because of the years of famine.
    “Asher.” He held her away from him. She felt the passion swirling around him. “I won’t promise to wait for you to come to me this time. I won’t promise to be gentle and patient. Things aren’t the same.”
    She shook her head, but in agreement. “No, things aren’t the same. It might be better, much better, for both of us if we just stayed away from each other.”
    Ty laughed shortly. “We won’t.”
    “If we tried—” Asher began.
    “
I
won’t.”
    She let out a