by Morgan James
Some of the tension drained from his muscles as he relaxed into me, and I breathed deeply, inhaling the scent of him. Sweat clung to our skin, sealing us together. I freaking loved it.
Too soon, he nuzzled the side of my neck, then dropped a kiss on my throat before peeling himself away. “Be right back.”
I watched as he sauntered toward the door, his muscles rippling as he moved across the bedroom, from his broad shoulders down to his tight ass. A silly grin spread over my face, and snuggled deeper into the pillow and blankets that already smelled like him.
Barely more than a minute later he climbed back into bed next to me and pulled me close, then nipped the shell of my ear. “Sleep well, trouble.”
A pang of hurt ricocheted through my heart, dimming the happiness from only a few moments before. Facing away from him in the near dark gave me the courage to speak. “Why do you call me that?”
There was a long beat of silence before his breath tickled the back of my neck as he spoke. “What?”
“Trouble.”
“Have I ever told you”—he rolled me to my back and stared down at me—“that I was always getting into scrapes as a kid?”
I shook my head, brows dipping low. “I don’t think so?”
“Well, I was. If it was dangerous, it had my name written all over it. I’ve always been addicted to trouble.” My cheeks heated as he propped himself up on an elbow and swept his thumb over my lower lip. “And you, pretty girl, are the best kind of trouble there is.”
My heart skipped a beat at his words, but I still made a face, not entirely convinced. “That doesn’t really sound like a good thing.”
“It is, believe me. I’ve never met anyone who keeps me on my toes the way you do, who pushes me until I’m ready to snap, then brings me back down with one sweet smile.”
A tiny smile curved my mouth. “If you say so.”
“Just take my word for it.” He framed my face with one huge hand and pressed his lips to mine. Just as passionate our feverish kisses earlier, the gentle sweep of his lips over mine stole my heart. He pulled back and stared down at me in the darkness, his thumb slowly stroking over my cheek. He dipped his head and kissed me once more before gently rolling me to my side.
Sliding one arm under my pillow, he pulled me so my back pressed to his front and splayed one huge hand over my belly. Happiness curled through me as I scooted backward, plastering myself as close to him as physically possible. I was glad to see that he hadn’t put clothes on, either, and I snuggled closer, wanting to feel every inch of him as I closed my eyes and drifted off.
It was dark when I next awoke, and a shiver racked my body. I groped blindly for the sheet, which had somehow ended up down around our waists. I rolled over, instinctually seeking out Vince’s heat. He’d rolled to his back at some point, and one arm was tossed casually over his head while he slept.
I burrowed as close as humanly possible, and he stirred at my movements. He rolled his head my way. “You good?”
His voice was sleepy and raspy, and I turned my nose against his chest, loving the feel and smell of him. I rubbed my cheek against his skin as I shivered again. “I’m cold,” I complained. “It’s freezing in here.”
“Mmm...” He hummed a little sound as he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close. “I turned the air down earlier.”
I lifted my head and peered blearily at him. “To what—arctic blast?”
He chuckled, low and sexy, and those gorgeous eyes slitted open to meet mine in the moonlight. “C’mere, babe. I’ll keep you warm.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Vince
I rolled, taking her with me until I was firmly settled between her lean thighs where they gripped my hips. Yanking the covers up, I cocooned us in our own little world, then cradled her head in my hands and brushed my lips over hers. The kiss was soft and sweet, tender and perfect. Our coupling earlier had been frenzied and frantic, as if we were afraid the other would slam on the brakes.
Jana was fucking incredible. She hid so many layers of herself deep down, and I had a feeling I’d only begun to scratch the surface of the passionate woman I held in my arms. This time, there was no need to rush. I could take my time, taste and explore every inch of her.
I couldn’t see her in the dark, but I could feel her gaze on mine. I felt every delicious inch of her, and she slid her hands over my shoulders, pulling me back down and bringing us even closer. I kissed her shoulder, her collarbone, up and over her throat. I found her lips again, and she nipped playfully at my lower lip. I growled and thrust my tongue inside her mouth at the same time I rolled my hips, mimicking the thrusting motion. We both froze as the head of my cock found her hot center and slipped an inch inside.
The silky heat of her was like nothing I’d ever experienced. I fought my instinct to drive hard and deep, wallow in the perfectness of the feeling.
Jana’s fingers tensed, curling into the back of my neck, and I lifted my head. The covers slipped down to my shoulders, exposing her beautiful face to my view in the moonlight, and I met her gaze.
Her tongue darted out nervously, then her teeth sank into her lower lip as she watched me watching her.
With my thumbs, I gently stroked her temples. “You okay with this?”
She nodded a little. “I...” She swallowed hard but didn’t break contact. “I get the shot. If, you know...”
She felt so goddamn good, but I wouldn’t come inside her like this—not yet. “Just one more minute,” I promised. Then I’d put on a condom. And hate every second of it.
I rocked forward, and she sucked in a breath as I slid all the way in with one smooth motion. “Holy Christ, baby.” Fully seated inside her, I dipped my head and lightly bit her neck, then laved the spot with my tongue. “You feel so good.”
Her hands slid down my back, and I could feel her muscles tensing around me. Her heels dug into my ass, and she lifted her hips, silently encouraging me to move. Slipping one hand under her ass, I ground into her, loving the feel of it. God, I never wanted to leave the shelter of her sweet, sexy body.
I’d lied to her before, when I’d called her superficial and self-centered. She was everything I’d ever dreamed of, more than I could ever ask for. I’d known there was something extraordinary between us the moment my lips touched hers, and if that kiss hadn’t told me everything I needed to know, this sealed the deal for me. I’d never felt like this with a woman before, and I had a sneaking suspicion I never would again. This, whatever I had with Jana, was something people searched for their whole lives. I wanted her every way, every single day; a lifetime wouldn’t be enough.
It was too soon for any declaration of love, but neither was I going to give her up—not for a long damn time. I didn’t know what the real world would bring, but I would fight every damn day to keep her by my side. It wouldn’t be easy, especially not in her world, but I knew I would do anything for her. Jana and I had experienced the absolute worst of each other at the beginning of our relationship—now we were experiencing the best. I wanted more of her than she’d ever given anyone else, and I would endeavor to make each day better than the last.
Jana still stared up at me, a mixture of emotion in her pretty blue eyes. I released her bottom and moved my hand to her chin, making sure she was paying attention to every word when I spoke. “I meant what I said.”
Twin lines of confusion appeared in the space between her brows, but she didn’t voice her curiosity. I traced her lower lip with my thumb. “You’re mine, Jana. And I’m yours.”
I didn’t wait for her to say anything, just pulled back and thrust in, hard and deep. She clutched at me as I pounded into her. It was rough and hard and feral, and I knew she didn’t understand... but she would. I was marking her, making sure she would feel me on every inch of her each time she moved, forget every other man she’d ever been with, all of those memories replaced by the things we did together.
I pumped three more times, long and slow and deep, reveling
in the feel of her. God, I couldn’t stand the torture of feeling her body grip mine without being able to come deep inside her. I let out a sigh of regret as I slowly withdrew. Jana’s face twisted into an expression of dismay, and I knew my face reflected her thoughts. I immediately missed the heat of her as soon as my cock pulled free of her slick channel. No matter how much I wanted to fill her up, make her mine, I wouldn’t risk it. We’d gone too far already, and I would never jeopardize her like that.
I stretched an arm out and swiped a condom from the nightstand, then rolled it on before levering myself over her again. Her hands automatically wound around my shoulders, reaching for me and pulling me close. I bent my arms, laying part of my weight on her, and she let out a soft little sound. I loved the way she reached impatiently for me, as if she’d gone years without touching me instead of mere seconds. I loved the way her body curled into me, her flesh drawn to mine like a magnet to steel.
Grasping the base of my shaft, I directed the head to her opening once more and pushed until I was fully sheathed inside her. I kissed her, flicking my tongue across hers, tasting the faint hint of the toothpaste she’d used before bed. I rolled my hips, pressing my knees into the mattress for leverage as I drove into her. One hand left my shoulders and wandered down my back until she gripped my ass, encouraging—or, in Jana’s case, demanding—I move faster. A sense of urgency tugged at me, and I picked up the pace. Sliding my hand under her ass, I fucked her hard, every muscle in my body burning with exertion until a bead of sweat slipped down my temple.
I could feel her inner muscles tightening, contracting around me, but I wasn’t ready for her to come yet. Jana held on as I rolled to my back, pulling her atop me. I grasped her hips and thrust upward, urging her to move. “Ride my cock.”
Bracing her hands on my chest, she began to move, tentatively at first, then faster as she fell into a rhythm. A growl bubbled up my throat as her motion forced me deeper into her. Her tits swung gently in front of my face as she lifted up and down, and she let out a little hum of pleasure as I caught the tip of one between my lips.
Her ass cheeks filled my palms, and I kneaded them as she rode me, my tongue curling around her tight little nipple. Her inner walls squeezed my cock, letting me know she was almost there. I thrust roughly upward, pressing down at the same time, forcing myself deep until I bumped her G-spot. Tugging one tight peak between my teeth, I skated one hand up the curve of her waist and tweaked the other. The mixture of pleasure and pain pushed her over the edge, and she came on a broken cry, her body tensing before she slumped over me.
She let out a little sound of discontent as I pulled free of her and gently maneuvered her off me. “On your belly.”
Throwing a disgruntled look over her shoulder at me, she moved into position—but not nearly fast enough. I swatted her ass and yanked on one foot until she lay prone in the middle of the bed.
“Hey!”
I grasped her hair in a ponytail and pulled, causing her back to arch. She tried to shift, but I straddled her legs, forcing them together until they were almost closed. I leaned forward and bit her earlobe, and a shiver rolled through her body. “My turn.”
My cock lay in the crease of her ass, and I used my free hand to spread her cheeks until her opening was exposed to me. I fitted the head between her slit and shoved inside. “Fuck, babe.”
Like this, with her legs pressed together, she felt tighter than ever, and fire licked up my stomach at the sensation. I was so damn close, but I wanted to draw it out, make every second count. Moving my hand around her hips, I searched for the tiny bundle of nerves between her legs. She gasped when I pinched it between my thumb and forefinger, and her hips bucked wildly.
I claimed her mouth in a brutal kiss, fucking her from behind and rubbing the sensitive nub until she writhed and twisted beneath me. I pressed down harder as my balls tightened with my impending release, and I was rewarded a second later as she ripped her mouth from mine and let out a keening cry. Her pussy strangled my cock as she came, hurtling me toward the edge. I let go with a growl and ripples of heat and pleasure cascaded over my body as I emptied myself inside her. For a long moment, I remained that way, partially draped over her. My muscles trembled as I fought to hold my weight up and keep from crushing her.
Completely sated, I braced myself on a shaky forearm, then rolled us to our sides, still buried deep inside her. Our breathing slowly returned to normal, and I finally pulled free, pulling the condom off and tossing it in the waste basket.
She rolled toward me as I came back to her, and she tucked her nose into the crook of my neck, curling into me as she started to drift off. I knew she was tired, but I wasn’t done with her yet. Tangling my fingers in her hair, I tipped her head up and stared down at her pretty face. Her eyes popped open, and she stared at me in silent question.
“This—” I gave a gentle tug to her hair. I wanted to make sure she understood. “This is serious, you and me.”
She gave a little nod, but I knew she wasn’t quite certain what I was saying. Hell, I wasn’t entirely sure, either. I just knew I needed to get the words out, because I would regret it if I didn’t.
“It’s gonna be hard as hell when we get home, but I don’t care.” I felt her fingers curl into the flesh of my back as I continued. “You occupy my every thought, every moment of every day. I want to be with you—I want to make this work.”
She blinked rapidly, and I couldn’t tell if the faint sheen there was from the moonlight or tears. “Me, too.”
I studied her for a long moment. “Good.” Releasing my hold on her hair, I kissed her once, long and slow, praying she could feel every emotion I couldn’t yet put into words. A minute later, I broke the connection and tucked her head against my shoulder. “Sleep.”
She nestled in close, and I could feel the heat of her breath on my neck as she gradually drifted off. I wasn’t sure how we’d make it work, but I would make damn certain it did. Because I wanted her right here, just like this every night. I was starting to believe that an eternity wouldn’t be enough.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Jana
I was aware of the bright sunlight streaming in the doors before I even opened my eyes, and I snuggled deeper into the welcoming heat surrounding me. Memory came flooding back as a feathery soft sensation moved slowly up and down my arm, and my eyes flew open. I was greeted by the sight of Vince’s muscular pecs, the dark ink dancing as his chest rose and fell on deep, steady breaths.
“Hey.”
His voice was raspy and soft, and I lifted my gaze slowly to his. “Hey.”
The fingers making circles on my arm slid upward to my cheek. “Sleep okay?”
I nodded but didn’t speak.
“Good.”
I watched him as his fingers gently swept over my forehead, down the bridge of my nose, over my chin. I closed my eyes to the sensation as he touched every inch of me, tracing my features like he was committing every dip and curve to memory. I mentally did the same. I don’t think I could forget the feel of Vince, the way he looked, his masculine scent, until the day I died.
My eyelids popped open as he traced a path down my sternum to the valley of my breasts.
“You’re so beautiful.” With the back of one knuckle, he brushed my right nipple.
Self-consciously, I brought my arm up between us, shimmying backward to put some distance between us.
Vince watched me curiously. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I shook my head, but his hand shot out, wrapping around my waist, and I let out a gasp as he tugged me toward him.
“Don’t lie to me.” His gaze dropped to my breasts for a moment, then back up to mine. His hand moved to touch my breast again, but I fended him off.
His eyebrow ratcheted upward, and I let out a sigh. “I just... I don’t like my breasts.”
“Why?”
There was no judgement in his tone, only curiosity, but it didn’t stop the heat of mortification from creepin
g into my cheeks. “They’re too big.”
He studied me. “You don’t want them anymore?”
I let out a mirthless laugh. “I never wanted them in the first place.”
His brows drew together. “Then why did you get them?”
This time, he loosened his hold as I put some space between us, knowing I needed it. “It wasn’t my decision to make.” His eyes darkened as the implication sank in, but he didn’t say a word as I continued. “I was a late bloomer. My first agent, Earl, said I would never make it if I looked like a little boy. And, at seventeen, I still hadn’t sprouted. So Mama signed off on the surgery, and...” I shrugged like it didn’t still hurt then laughed. “I surprised the hell out of everyone when I grew two cup sizes after the augmentation.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked, and he was silent for a long moment. Finally, he propped himself up on an elbow as he stared down at me. “Can’t you have a reduction done?”
I shook my head. “I could, but I don’t want to. I hate being put under. I don’t like the feel of it, the way I lose whole periods of time. I know it’s dumb, but—”
“It’s not dumb. I know exactly what you mean. It’s the same reason you hate those pills.”
I couldn’t believe he’d listened to me. I swallowed down the tears that threatened at the back of my throat. “Yeah. Just like the pills.”
He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ears. “Do they bother you?”
“Physically? No.” I hesitated for a moment. “It’s just... I know a lot of people judge me because of the way I look.”
He pushed to a sitting position. “Idiots.”
“You did the same thing,” I said softly. So much had happened between us since then, but the reminder sent a little pang of hurt shooting through my chest.
He must have read it in my eyes, because he moved before I could stop him, kneeling between my legs and placing his hands on the mattress on either side of my shoulders, caging me in with his huge body. “I was wrong. About you and your breasts.”
