Exposure - Kelly Moran Page 0,92

hips pinned her own was possessive and certain. His rough, callused hand against the soft skin of her back was a delicious contrast. He held the back of her head in place, not allowing her to look anywhere but at him, forcing her to see the raw emotion she seemed to rip out of him.

"Come out of the dark, baby. I love you."

Pain pinched behind her ribs. Had it been her depression holding her back all this time? Years, for so many years, she'd fought. Only with Noah had hope seemed possible. Happiness not so out of reach. Could he sense that? Did he know she may never get there?

Tension coiled inside her, dangling her over the edge of orgasm, but he pulled her back by stilling. Just as she was about to break, to beg for him to let her plunge, he moved inside her again, rebuilding. A slow climb that drove her past reason.

When her walls clenched him a second time, her body and mind needing the release only he could give, he stilled again. She cried out in frustration, fought against his adoring, tender hold. This was torture. Mean.

With patience, he grit his teeth and kept that maddening, affectionate stare locked on her. "I love you."

Why did he keep saying that? She knew he did. It was evident in every touch and embrace and glance. And she could try until there was no breath left in her lungs to give it back, but she wasn't there. He was the perfect man--alpha with a deep fraternal nature, selfless in everything he did, protective, devoted, kind, and trustworthy--but she was broken. In time, she'd break him, too.

"Shh," he cooed, as if she'd said something aloud or he could read her thoughts. "You just don't get it, baby. I fucking love you."

"I know!" She couldn't take it anymore. Her chest restricted. She tried to roll away and get up, but he tightened his hold, keeping her under him. "Let me go."

"Not happening."

She shoved at his shoulders. He didn't budge. "Noah, I'm trying. Stop pushing me. I'm trying."

He dropped his forehead to hers, ceasing her frenzy. "I know you are, and I'll keep waiting as long as it takes." He lifted his head, studying her. "I'm not telling you I love you to upset you. I'm telling you because you don't know. I think you're hearing me, but you're not listening." As his gaze narrowed, his mouth opened like something had clicked into place.

Instead of voicing whatever was on his mind, he moved inside her and kissed her again with the same measured, fevered pitch from before. "Last time for now, baby." He punctuated each word with a deliberate thrust. "I--love--you."

Her body responded, inching toward the explosion only he could give. She tried to lift her hips and meet his thrusts, but he kept her pinned beneath him as he did all the work. Giving her all the attention she usually fought against. With single-minded focus, he pushed inside her body, her head, her heart.

And this time, he didn't leave her dangling over the edge. He shoved her. Then, he followed.

Chapter Twenty-Three

By the time they made it back to the mainland, it was late afternoon and pitch black. Stars fought for purchase with the Northern Lights in a mesmeric display over the inky water. A bitter wind swept down the mountains and across the ocean, but the brisk cold revived him.

Noah pocketed the keys and offered his hand to help Raven out of the boat. His chest still ached from the tender love-making, and from the way she'd fought him. He was starting to think she might never get to the place where he was, that place where he couldn't live without her, where love hurt so good he couldn't breathe. After everything, she was still holding back. Time might fix that, but he wasn't so sure anymore. Every time he touched her, he wondered if it would be the last time.

When her feet hit the dock, she gasped and took off for the end of the pier.

Max waited on shore and caught her with a grunt. "Easy, Miss Crowne."

"I'm sorry." She patted his chest. "I didn't mean to hurt you. How are you feeling?"

Max met Noah's gaze as he made his way toward their bodyguard. "A little sore, but I'm cleared to return."

Noah held out his hand to shake Max's. "Glad to hear that."

Max nodded, sweeping his gaze over Raven as if searching for injury, then stared out at the