truly the most astounding realization to hold onto.
He teased her nipple through the shirt, taking his time to keep her in the same soft, filmy space he’d created. So often they careened through the steep incline and drop off of sexual gratification. He loved to show her just how much pleasure could be squeezed out of each moment they spent together.
Tonight, he didn’t push.They drifted on soft sighs and even sweeter touches. He slid down her body, taking her clothes off with sweet, lingering touches. And for once, he allowed her to reciprocate.
She rolled him onto his back, drawing his jeans down his long legs, until they were groaning through their laughter to get each other naked. He tried to flip her onto her back again, but she didn’t allow it. She wanted a little piece of control for once.
She traced the tip of her tongue along his collarbone, to the tendons of his Adam’s apple. She sipped over his chin to find his lush mouth. Their kiss ramped up to a desperate clash of tongues and lips. She wanted to slow it back down, but there was always a piece of chaos living under their skin when they got skin-to-skin.
“Protection,” she groaned into his mouth.
He nodded and reached above his head.
She grinned down at him. “Such a boy scout.”
“I don’t think I ever got to do this in the boy scouts.”
She blinked. “No way.”
“What? My mom looked for ways to get me out of her hair. Prep school couldn’t hold me, so…” He shrugged. “It was fun.”
“The things you learn.” She rolled her hips, dragging her cleft over his shaft. He groaned and arched up against her. She rolled the condom over him and took him inside within the space of a heartbeat.
His eyes flashed wide. Normally he took his time to make sure she was ready for him. There was no doubt that her body was prepared for him, but her heart stuttered over the complete and utter connection that happened the moment he joined with her.
She slowly took him inside her again and again. Pleasure swamped her and the sweet wash of love threatened to take her under. He was her own personal undertow full of danger and power. But he never drowned her.
No, he was the current that slowly washed away her doubts and left only bright shells and clean, perfect sand in his wake. She laced the fingers of her right hand with his left, dragging his arm above his head.
She bit her lip against the rising groans that wanted to escape. When the pleasure got too big, and her heart too full, he rose up enough to catch her mouth. He swallowed the love that she couldn’t hold back and gave it back to her measure for measure.
His name was a shuddering breath as she collapsed on top of him, her body shaking in reaction. She curled her arms around his neck as he clasped her tighter, their hearts racing and syncing before they slowed.
She drifted away with his heartbeat at her ear, and his sweat-slick skin sheltering her through the night.
Chapter 27
Damn, what a beautiful day, even though it was barely the freaking crack of dawn.
Michael stood at the little breakfast nook in the kitchen, looking out at the ocean. The sun had already started to rise, and the breeze had stirred up some foamy white caps on the water. Some intrepid soul had taken out a sailboat with brightly colored sails.
He shoveled in a mouthful of apple cinnamon oatmeal made by his resourceful wife. He’d have to show Axl the boat. He’d love the colors. Maybe they should get their own. God knows he was in the right location for one. Could launch it right within view of the apartment. Axl loved water, and he’d probably love going for rides, assuming Chloe didn’t freak out about all the dangers.
Hey, that’s what lifejackets were for, right?
The slap of bare feet on the floor and high-pitched giggles made Michael stop demolishing his breakfast long enough to look up as Axl shot into the room like an unsteady bullet. The kid was as naked as the day he was born, and his wet red hair was spiked up in his version of a Mohawk. Ever since the boy had noticed how Michael styled his faux hawk—when he even bothered to mess with it—he’d insisted on Chloe styling his hair like that too.
Fuck, it was cute as hell.
Michael set down his bowl and darted around the