the pillow, she never looked more beautiful to him.
He kissed his way up her belly and chest, reached over to the bedside table, pulled open the drawer, and fumbled through miscellaneous stuff for a condom.
Her body lay soft and supple below him as he tore open the condom and slid it on.
He brushed the hair away from her face, stared down at her, and asked, “How about I just call you mine?” He kissed her hard and deep and buried his hard shaft to the hilt.
She took him in with a moan. Her hands slid down his sides, over his hips and grabbed his ass. She squeezed and pulled him in deeper and sighed out, “Yes.”
Desire overrode any other sweet words he might have conjured to please her. He couldn’t think of any words to express how that yes made him feel, so he showed her with the push and pull of his body over and inside hers. Every kiss, sweep of his hands, thrust of his body said far more than he could put into words. Her moans and sighs, the demand of her kiss and body for more, drove him to satisfy her every yearning. No matter how much he gave, she wanted more and gave so much back to him.
He didn’t want this first time to end. Not when it felt so right and perfect and real. He could feel her in a way that connected them. She breathed with him. Her heartbeat became his. He moved and she matched him until they simply gave themselves over to the moment, got lost in the rhythm and need until they hit ecstasy.
He collapsed on top of her, but tried to hold some of his weight on his forearms. She wrapped her arms around his back and held him close, her fingers brushing back and forth in a hypnotic rhythm that nearly put him to sleep.
“You left the lights on.”
“The better to see you, my dear.” He hoped she got the wolf to her Red Riding Hood hint. He felt a little wolfish and wholly satisfied at the moment.
“You sure know how to huff and puff and blow my house down.”
He chuckled, lifted himself up onto his hands, and stared down at her. “That was . . .”
“Crazy amazing,” she finished for him with a soft smile and sweep of her hands up his chest.
“It’s almost like we read each other so well, we knew just what to do.”
“Some of us have had more practice than others.” The tone to those words was teasing, but there was a hint of resentment that it had taken him this long to see how great they were together.
“Which is why I know how special and amazing and different being with you is, and that I don’t want to lose it, or you. Ever.” He sealed that declaration with a kiss.
He eased them apart and lay on his side next to her. He planted his hand on her hip and rolled her to face him.
She hooked her leg over his and placed her hand on his chest. Something darkened her green eyes.
“What is it, sweetheart?”
“I never thought I’d be here. With you. Like this.”
“I’m kicking myself for not doing this sooner.”
She smiled, but it didn’t light her eyes. “It happened when we were both ready.”
He traced his finger along the side of her face. “You waited a long time for me to figure out you’re what I want.”
She brushed her fingers over his lips and along his jaw. “This kind of feels unreal and at the same time like the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
He hugged her close. “I feel the same way.” He sighed and said what was probably on both their minds. “After what happened today, it feels even more important. Like we almost missed this.” He put his finger under her chin and made her look up at him. “I will do whatever I have to do to keep you safe and with me, because I can’t lose you, Liz. Not now. Not ever. I mean it.”
She buried her face in his neck and held on to him like her life depended on it.
He cuddled her close and offered her his strength and protection. His thoughts went to that poor woman who died needlessly and senselessly. He wouldn’t let that happen to Liz. He’d kill Clint before he ever put another hand on Liz.
“Are you sure you don’t want something to eat?” They’d both missed dinner. He wanted