The Tombstone Rose

A moment of impropriety Jake ground his mouth gently into hers, and she returned his embrace, clinging to him, enjoying the slow, gentle movement of his hands over her body. His lips had left her mouth and chased into the hollow of her neck, one moment voracious, the next soft and gentle, tingling like raindrops along her skin. Her back hollowed as she leaned against him, her breasts craving the solid caress of his hand, although a part of her knew it was wrong. It was that part that spoke up, louder and louder, until she heard it dimly through the mist of pleasure. As if slapped hard across the face, Charlotte suddenly realized what all this kissing and hugging led to. She shrank back against the wall of the cave, shocked at herself. Jake looked at her, his face flushed, and there was something hard and bright and dangerous in his eyes. "Don't you touch me!" Jake stared at her for a long moment, then smiled wickedly. "I see you're back to your old self." He stepped back. "I was going to tell you, when I was so rudely interrupted by your . . . enthusiasm in seeing me still alive, that we can go now. I'll get the horses." He turned and walked away.