One Night A Real Man - Jenika Snow Page 0,29

didn’t speak, but nothing needed to be said.

“Devon,” she whispered, and everything in me clenched with need. “I’ve always been yours, Devon. Always.”

Pleasure slammed into me. This raw, powerful sound of need and desperation came from me almost violently.

It was primal.

I was primal.

“I can’t ever let you go, baby. I don’t have it in me. I’m far too selfish, far too obsessed with the love I have for you.” I pulled her in close and buried my nose in her hair, inhaling, groaning. “My life goal is to have you as mine always. Always, Leila.” I had never considered myself a gentle man, one who let his emotions consume him. But with Leila, she changed all that. But only for her. Only ever for her. “Knowing you love me has changed everything.”

She’d never know how deep my love for her ran, how it consumed me, shaped the person I was… made me crazed for more time with her.

We’d always been meant to be together, and I’d make sure that was always our reality, our future.

19

Devon

I held her. I never wanted to let her go. Tightening my arms around Leila, I felt the way her breathing changed to a more even pace, knew she would fall asleep within minutes.

Never in my life had I envisioned this would be the outcome. I sure as hell hoped for it many times over the years, fantasized about her being mine, but that was all it had been… a dream. But it wasn’t just wishful thinking anymore.

It was my reality.

It was ours.

“I really hope my parents didn’t hear us.” There was amusement in her voice, and I couldn’t help but smile. “I feel like I’m a teenager all over again, sneaking a boy into my room and praying my folks don’t hear.”

Although I obviously knew she’d been a virgin when we’d been together, the very thought of her having any boys in here at any point in her life had possessive jealousy moving through me. She must’ve sensed it, felt the tightening of my body, which was an involuntary reaction, because she shifted a little bit so she could look into my face.

I saw a little smirk curving her full, bow-like lips. “Does that make you jealous, thinking about me having boys down here?” The amusement and teasing lacing her voice had me leaning down and kissing her. I just couldn’t help myself.

“You know damn well it makes me jealous,” I growled but had a grin on my face. I pulled back, her scent enveloping me, this sweet, lemony aroma I’d never get enough of. Her face took on a somber expression, and she rested her head on my chest, her hand on my abdomen. “Hey, what’s wrong?” I noticed the change in her instantly. It was like a frigid blast surrounded us.

“Are you afraid?” Leila whispered so low I almost didn’t hear.

I started running the pads of my fingers along her side, up and down, gently stroking her, feeling goosebumps move along her flesh. The sheet was pooled down around her waist, and although she was petite, she still had very womanly curves.

“No,” I said adamantly. “This is all I’ve ever wanted, Leila. You, a future together, a family.” She tipped her head back so she could look into my face, and I saw she was smiling, that she loved my answer. “And it’s all coming true,” I added. “My regret is that I never told you sooner, that it took a night of drinking for us to experience our first time together, that it made you uncomfortable.” I stared right into her eyes. “I’m sorry you felt the need to put this wall between us because you were that afraid.” I slowly shook my head. “I don’t ever want you to be afraid to tell me anything, Leila. I want to not only be yours, but I want you to be mine. I want us to be able to share everything, the good things, the bad, the things that terrify us.” She smiled and nodded. “I want to be your rock, the person you lean on.” I willed her to feel how real those words were. “Do you understand?”

She slowly nodded and then shifted so she was now sitting up on the bed. The sheet dropped lower around her hips, her upper body gloriously naked, the feminine slopes of her breasts on full display. I could’ve taken her again right then and there, but that wasn’t what this moment was about. Instead, I