A Major Connection by Marie Harte

knowing him a few days, made her nervous.
    She liked Thorn—more than she should. In another few weeks she’d be taking off for parts unknown. Why would any smart woman involve herself with a man when she had the world at her feet? Oh boy, it’s like I’m suddenly channeling Mom. Stop the insanity!
    “I’m not in the market for a man,” she blurted to stave thoughts of Mona Soames. “I’m only here until my sister comes back.”
    “Sure thing, Major.” He kissed her.
    “I mean it. I’m not shopping around for a relationship.”
    “I get you.” Thorn kissed her again, this time bringing her in for a full body hug. And oh my God , he felt so good against her. She lost herself in the embrace before he pulled away, looking satisfied.
    “I,” she paused to clear her throat. “I’m having fun with you, and I think you’re having fun with me. I mean, this, us, it’s great. The sex is amazing. Just, really, really good.” Ramble much?
    His slow smile did odd things to her stomach. Butterflies took up residence and fluttered all over the place. April didn’t understand how he made her feel so uneven. Hot and cold, annoyed and elated, aroused and…well, aroused. Had to be the sex. Yet she’d been with other men before and never felt so close to them. Even the ones who’d been good at sex had never made her feel so warm and protected, so thoroughly taken. Thorn had an intensity to him that made her feel like the only woman in the world when he watched her.
    She realized he was stroking her shoulder. His hand crept down her front while he watched her, and he brushed against her breast twice before she understood he’d done it on purpose.
    “Not out here.” If only she could control her body the way he apparently could. She felt wet and needy, and they’d just made love— had sex —a few hours ago.
    “Why not?” He nodded behind her. “My fence is high enough that no one can see us. Besides, my neighbors are at work.” Thorn had taken the next three weeks off for leave.
    She loved and hated the fact, because she had no reasonable excuse to ignore him. She too was on leave and planned to enjoy every minute of it. If she could keep her feelings for the man limited to physical attraction and friendship, she’d be more confident around him. But he made her want things for her future she hadn’t been considering. And her life was confusing enough.
    “But—”
    “But what, sexy?” He palmed her breast and squeezed, rubbing deliberately over her nipple.
    “Stop.” She tried to glare, but her moan did her in.
    “Yeah, you like that. You’re so sensitive here.” He covered both breasts with his hands. “I love touching you.” He stared into her eyes and slowly untied her suit from behind her neck.
    She put her hand up to stop him. “What—”
    “No. Don’t move.”
    He loved his dominance games. And so did she.
    “But we’re gardening,” came out shakier than she’d intended. “I told you I’m not about being your sex toy twenty-four/seven.”
    “Then why are you just standing there, shaking, while I do whatever I want with you?” He leaned closer and whispered, “Because I can. I can fuck you, bend you over, make you drop to your knees and suck me off. And you’ll do it, won’t you?”
    She really wished she could grow a backbone right now, but since they’d both shared a few truths about their fantasies last night, he knew she wanted this. He wanted it as well, which shot her control all to hell.
    “Won’t you?” he growled and released the tie on her suit, then hurried to untie the string at her back. It dropped between them, then he stood back and nodded. “Get back to work.”
    She wanted him now, and he knew it. The only good thing about playing with him was knowing how much he wanted her too, as the impressive erection tenting his nylon shorts attested.
    “Prick.”
    He shook his head. “You’ll pay for that later. Now tend to my plants while I train your hopeless