Chapter 2

It's effortless when she pulls me down so that our lips meet. The kiss is hot, sweet and so damned combustible that breathing becomes an afterthought. While Mac's fingers play with the hair on the back of my neck, my hands have wrapped around her waist so tightly that I can't tell where I end and she begins.

The scent of her is all around me, the feel of her is unlike any woman I've ever held and as I trace my fingertips up her spine I'm reminded of that amazing dress. Mac takes a step back and my arms drop away.

"No, stop." I place a hand over hers to stop Mac from sliding off one of the straps which held the dress on her shoulders. "Let me. Please let me." She nods and drops her arms but rather than immediately undress her, I take three steps back and just look.

At the dance my eyes lingering on her would be inappropriate. Despite the lack of military attire, our coworkers were there, the SECNAV and yes, the detective who sought after her like a lost puppy dog. I couldn't really look but I can now. In fact I walk a slow circle around her noting the subtle nuances of the dress that was making me more aroused knowing she wore it for me.

"You really look lovely tonight." She always looks stunning in a dress but I imagine Mac could wear a paper bag and still look just as sexy.

"Every dress I've bought I've done so with you in mind." She says quietly. "I wondered if you liked what you saw."

Oh, I liked and fantasized about removing each one, unwrapping her like a Christmas present and barring that beautiful skin to my touch. I take another lap around and stop just behind her, my eyes roaming over the open back and onto her perfect six. It's lovely, heart shaped and far too covered with the wavy satin that cinches just above her cheeks.

"I love what I saw." I confess and step close enough that the heat of her body entices me to lean forward and press a kiss on the crook of her neck. It's a soft, barely there kiss and yet her skin is instantly covered in goosebumps from my ministries. Lord, she's lovely; perfect even with her flaws, Mac is perfect for me.

I let my hands rest on her shoulders and lightly knead the taut muscles, it's a touch that makes her sigh. "Are you sure my hands aren't too rough?" I lean in and whisper to feel her hands cover mine and hold them in place over her shoulders.

"There a real man's hands. One that fixes cars, remodeled apartments and flies supersonic jets. I like the way they feel." A real man? I hadn't felt that way of late. In my mind I was a fool, a coward but that ends tonight. I know what I want and, for once, I'm letting go.

I slip one finger under a strap and pull it off her shoulder. My lips follow suit kissing their way until the string stops mid arm. I pull down the other strap and with a slight tug watch as the dress falls to the floor in a pool of green satin. Her back is fully exposed to me and my eyes greedily take in all of the bare flesh stopping at her perfect ass.

Mac's wearing a black thong and the sight makes my pants fit far tighter than they had moments ago. "Please don't tell me you wear these to work."

She turns her head towards me and a sexy smirk graces her swollen lips. "What if I do?"

"That'll be an unfair advantage, counselor. I'd never be able to think straight again."

Her giggle is delightful and makes butterflies take flight in my stomach. "Ah so, I found your Kryptonite?" Lord, she had no idea.

"Maybe." I splay one hand over a cheek and squeeze ever so gently. I always knew she had an amazing body but my fantasies don't do it justice. "You really are beautiful, Mac. Inside and out."

Her breath catches when my lips find her neck, nuzzling and licking the curve of her skin. I take my time kissing each shoulder and then slowly kiss my way down her back, dropping to my knees as I stop at the hem of her g-string. My lips linger on the supple curve where the low back meets her six and then, without preamble I kiss each side, taking a not so gentle bite which makes her gasp.

I know I've left a mark which I cover with more kisses. "Sorry. I can't help myself."

Mac turned slowly and although it was clear the style of dress required no bra, I wasn't prepared to see her naked breasts proudly bared for me. They're just as perfect as the rest of her, round mounds that rested on her ribs with cinnamon coloured nipples that stood at attention at the peak of each breast.

That's the moment I realized my heart stopped if just for a second. It felt when it kickstarted again and wildly slammed into my chest so hard that the thumping drummed in my ears. I could see the mark from her tattoo, a sweeping line of text that was inked in Farsi just below her left breast.

My fingertips trace the words, the ink not quite where I expected to find it and I'm pleasantly surprised by the location. "What does it say?"

"It's a Persian proverb." She speaks in Farsi, saying each word slowly as if I could understand any of it. I can't but it sounds beautiful when Mac translates it to English, "The heart's thirst isn't quenched with a drop of water."