Beneath the Stars (Falling Stars #4) - A.L. Jackson Page 0,81

then wound himself between my legs that wouldn’t stop shaking.

When he brought us nose to nose.

When he whispered my name when he splayed his big hand over the mark above my breast.

Like he could hold it.

Heal it.

I wrapped both arms around his neck, and I let our mouths barely brush when I whispered, “I’ll hold yours, too.”

Pain lanced through his rugged face, and he brushed back a lock of hair stuck to my jaw, and he smiled a wistful smile. “You already are.”

He held me close.

Chest to chest.

Breath to breath.

I shook.

And I wanted to tell him that he didn’t have to be careful with me. But the man could already see all my broken parts the same way as I could see his.

So he held them.

Gently.

Watched down over me with his arms wrapped tight around my shoulders as he slowly nudged himself into my body.

Old fear fluttered for the barest beat.

Fear he washed away with those kind, knowing eyes.

As he made me feel cherished and safe.

As he filled me and filled me until there was no air, and I was only breathing him. Until he was grunting low and every muscle in his magnificent body tensed with restraint.

Until I whispered my praise. “Rhys.”

Emotion swarmed us.

A hazy, glorious dream.

And he smiled. Smiled softly. “Yeah?”

“So much yes.”

I clawed my nails into his shoulders when he started to move because god, everything about him was big and overwhelming.

His hips started to rock and jut. Tiny movements at first, the man keeping watch on all the pieces he was holding in fear one might get loose.

But the truth was, I’d never felt as whole as I did right then.

So right with his massive body covering mine, as he filled me again and again, as our bodies picked up a perfect rhythm.

His breaths turned shallow and he worked me into a needy, whimpering puddle of greed.

Pinpricks of pleasure licked across my flesh.

I was sure I was going to catch fire.

The way my belly tightened and everything throbbed. As I raced for that beautiful destination, Rhys leading the way.

Setting both hands on either side of my head, he pushed his weight onto them.

So glorious where he gazed down on me.

The longer pieces of his hair fell around his striking, powerful face. Sweat beaded at his temples, and his tongue raked over his lips as he grunted, “Goddess Girl. Fuck. So good.”

My head rocked back on his pillow, and my hips met his thrust for thrust. “More. Please. I need you.”

“I know, baby. I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”

Everything grew frantic.

Faster.

Needier.

Grittier.

The intensity we shared burning us up.

Eating us alive.

He dropped to his elbows and angled a different way. “Sweet Siren. Shit.”

He hit me in a spot that made me gasp and writhe and beg him for more. “Rhys…you…need you.”

And he gave it.

Took me harder and deeper because he knew those pieces were safe with him. And he was spreading me by the knees and driving me into oblivion.

To where it was only music and song.

Stars and the deepest night.

Rhys and me.

Rhys and me.

And there, with him, I splintered apart. Pleasure burst. Erupted. Laid every inch of me to waste. Gasping, my hips came from the bed, desperate to get closer to him.

To get lost in this perfection forever. To meet him there.

And I was suddenly gathered back up, my back barely touching the bed, the man taking me with him as he rocked and thrust.

“Maggie.” He choked and lifted me by the waist. “Fuck, Maggie.”

And then he was with me.

That ecstasy offered to me as he surrendered to it. Every muscle in his body tensed and pulsed as he came.

We floated together.

In a place we needed no words to understand. Where it was real and right and there were no lies or secrets or pasts standing between us.

Where it was us.

We stayed there forever. For not nearly long enough.

Before we slowly drifted down.

Still, he held me, his mouth at my temple. “Maggie. Sweet Thing. Tell me you’re okay. That I didn’t hurt you.”

Dread filled his voice.

His regret trying to stage an assault.

I hugged him fiercely. “I’ve never felt safer, more beautiful, freer, than I do right now.”

Relief left him on a breath, and he curled his arms tighter and nodded against my head.

Clinging to me the same way I clung to him.

After a long time, our holds loosened, and he let my weight fall back to the mattress. Though he didn’t go far. He propped himself up on his elbows, the man still pinning me to the