Mine - HelenKay Dimon Page 0,110

problems. Over time the shock of all of it would fade. “Even after that.”

“I never meant to hurt you.” She caressed his cheek.

He caught her hand and placed a soothing kiss in the center of her palm. “I know.”

“And I didn’t want to leave.”

He knew admitting that meant a lot coming from her. She wouldn’t throw the words around. Neither would he. “Then come back to me.”

She shook her head as a smile broke over her mouth. “Yes.”

“Yes?” She held her tight against him, not wanting one inch of air to separate their bodies. “No more running.”

She practically jumped into his arms. “You’re stuck with me.”

“Most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.” Andy shook his head. “Now get back in Gabe’s car before I shoot you both.”

“Your brother is a killjoy,” she said between kisses.

“Don’t worry. I’m not inviting him back to the house with us.”

TWENTY-NINE

Natalie couldn’t keep her body still for one more second. She lifted up and then sank back down on the impressive length of his cock. Her legs shook on the mattress on either side of his thighs from the force of holding back her orgasm. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders as her body rocked back and forth.

She wanted to milk every ounce of feeling and stretch out the last few minutes. After a week of rolling around in the sheets, exploring every acre of his property and every inch of his house, so few secrets remained between them. Neither held back any information about how they liked to be touched and what they liked during lovemaking. He knew this was her favorite position and rolled over so she could be on top pretty often.

His mouth continued its gentle assault on her breasts. He licked and caressed. The joint pressure from him being inside her and around her, touching and tasting her, sent the last of her control crashing. She couldn’t wait another second. She came with her head tilted back and her hair slipping over her shoulders.

His body shook under hers and she squeezed those tiny internal muscles together one more time. His groan broke through the sensual haze winding around her. She tried to say something but gave into the exhaustion pulling at her muscles after the shaking stopped. Her shoulders fell forward, and he caught her against his chest.

Her body pulsed in the aftermath as his orgasm overtook him. His hands shook and his breath rushed out of him. When the vibrations finally stopped, he settled back into the stack of pillows behind him and took her with him.

In the darkness of the cool room, she took stock. Every minute of the last few days had buzzed along with her love for him getting bigger and brighter. They’d talked with Brandon and she’d checked in with Bast and Eli. It looked as if the bulk of the danger had passed, but Gabe still watched over her as if she were a precious commodity someone might try to steal.

He made her feel powerful and beautiful even as he protected and nagged and otherwise acted like the Gabe she’d known from the beginning. The usual pangs of worry no longer assailed her. She didn’t spend every day panicked about her job because she knew that would all somehow work out. She didn’t have to beat back the urge to run or be alone. He let her be who she was and never punished her for it, and she thrived.

Her hand snaked up his body to wrap around his neck. She couldn’t find the strength or will to sit up, so she settled against his shoulder and let her mouth linger over his throat.

“I love you.” The words eased out of her as if they’d been sitting on her tongue just waiting to tumble out.

Her eyes popped open and she felt her spine go stiff. Maybe he’d fallen asleep or not heard or . . .

“That’s a big word,” he said in a rich, deep voice.

The words vibrated through her because he spoke right by her ear. She thought about hiding in the crook of his neck but decided there was no reason. She could say it, take the risk. If he wasn’t ready, she would wait. For the first time in her life, she’d step out on the emotional limb and hope he’d eventually join her.

“Hey.” He put a finger under her chin and lifted her head. “Any chance you’d be willing to say that again. I’m thinking a lot louder and while I’m looking