that thought, he thrust into her soft slickness, feeling a pleasure so intense he couldn’t catch his breath.
“Oh...” She closed her eyes, her lips parted. “I remember this,” she whispered, then opened her eyes. “I remember you. All of me remembers all of you.”
He fought to respond, but words failed him. All he could think about was merging with her, becoming one with her. He pulled out, then pushed in, amazed that each time he felt more.
Dylan forced himself to go slow, to focus on every sensation. He wouldn’t miss a single gasp, a blink of her blue eyes. He would feel every muscle twitch, drink in every kiss, hear every mew and sigh.
She made him want to do more, take her higher, make it last longer. She wrapped her legs around him, digging in with her heels, lifting her hips with each thrust. He knew she was close, so he went still to let the pressure build, make the release more intense.
She gripped his backside with both hands. She never wanted to wait. She pushed down as she lifted her hips, again and again. He couldn’t resist, not after all the waiting and wanting he’d endured already.
When he kicked into gear, she bucked up, eyes wide, pupils huge and black, giving herself over to him. That was the hottest part. That Tara, so scared to be close, so slow to trust, trusted him, let go with him, only him.
Her breath hitched. She was nearly there. His body picked up the cue and tightened for the last push over. There it was, that look she got when she came. He’d missed that, dreamed of it far too often. “Oh, I’m...” She gasped.
“I know you are,” he said as she exploded. Her release caught him, carried him with her, the rushing wave almost too much to stand.
He couldn’t believe the wonder he felt, the joy of sharing this with Tara, the girl he’d first loved, the woman he still did.
* * *
TARA’S CLIMAX HIT so hard that every inch of her body, every fiber of her being felt it, throbbed with it. This. This was what stopped hearts, launched ships, made the world go ’round. She felt it in her body and in her heart.
They’d climaxed together. She’d forgotten how natural that had always been for them.
She felt like she’d returned home from a harrowing trip. In a way, she had. All of it—Faye’s coma, her near death, her father’s death, her mother’s harsh words, even the old pain of losing Dylan—rose up in a huge wave of emotion, which broke free in a sharp sob. She had held back so much for so long, hidden the pain even from herself, that she couldn’t help the outburst.
Dylan pulled her onto his chest and rubbed her back in slow circles, and let her cry. He didn’t ask her what was wrong. He let her be. However she was, that was fine with him.
Tara lifted her head to be sure he still wore that look, that tender acceptance of her, no matter what. Yeah. There it was. “I thought I made it up,” she said, still choked up. “That look you have.” She couldn’t even describe it, except that it made her feel loved and safe and known.
“I know what you mean.” They stayed like that for a few minutes. Abruptly Dylan’s eyes went distant. Was he pulling away?
No. Don’t. Not yet. Her heart turned over in her chest. She wasn’t ready to back away. She needed him too much right now.
“You want to call the hospital?” Dylan said. “Make sure nothing’s changed. I don’t want you to worry.”
Oh. Whew. He’d merely turned his thoughts to their situation. He wasn’t backing away, leaving her. No cause for panic.
“Yes. My phone’s in the living room.” She started to get up.
“I’ll get it. I need to get you food anyway.” He kissed her forehead and climbed out of bed. He was gorgeous in the lamplight, broad shoulders, prominent muscles, graceful movements.
“You remembered how hungry I get?”
“I remember everything about you, Tara,” he said roughly, his eyes glistening with longing...sorrow...regret. As if he hadn’t wanted that to be true, but was helpless to prevent it.
She knew exactly how he felt.
What now? She couldn’t keep the thought from her mind. Being in Dylan’s bed tonight was about Faye nearly dying, about the turmoil of these days in Wharton, and about the love they still held for each other.