“It’s okay,” she’d assured him with a kiss. “I don’t need that from you, Nick. I don’t need the rings or the priest or the piece of paper that the law says binds us together. And I really, really don’t need the white gown or eight bridesmaids or the reception with rubbery chicken and barely palatable wine. All I need,” she’d added, wrapping her arms around him tightly, “is you.”
He had hugged her fiercely, burying his face in her hair. “Well, that, Angel, you’ve definitely got. For life, baby. That’s the honest truth, and I’ll even write it down for you if you want.”
She’d shaken her head. “No. Because it’s already written on my heart.”
She must have fallen asleep after that, because the next thing she knew Nick was waking her persuasively, kissing his way down her body until her eyes fluttered open with a groan. She gasped as he nuzzled his face between her thighs, his tongue rimming the opening to her body that was suddenly wet with need.
He wrung two stunning orgasms from her, making sure she was fully prepared for him, expertly using his tongue, lips, and fingers to arouse her and allow her to open completely. But when it finally came, his first thrust inside of her pliant body wasn’t the savage, almost brutal possession she’d grown accustomed to, grown to crave. Instead, he slid in almost gently, a little at a time, and then just rocked his hips back and forth carefully a few times before holding himself still.
“Something wrong?” she asked breathlessly, unable to look away from the dark eyes that held hers captive.
He shook his head, a slow grin materializing. “Not a damned thing, no. It’s pouring rain outside, while I’m tucked up all safe and warm inside my bed. Not to mention,” he purred, bending down to nuzzle her neck, “inside of you. So I would say that everything is just about perfect right now.”
She ran her hands up over his bare, broad chest until her arms were closely entwined around his neck. “Mmm, except that I couldn’t possibly be burning up that many calories just being still this way. And you did assure me that I wouldn’t regret skipping that race earlier.”
Nick grinned, his hands sliding beneath her buttocks as he got to his knees, still deeply imbedded inside her body. “And I am a man of my word, Angel. So if it’s a workout you’re after, you’re definitely in the right place.”
She thought wildly that Nick’s idea of physical activity was a hell of a lot more fun than slopping through muddy trails and skirting tree roots with the rain pounding down on her the whole time. And that the way he was twisting and contorting her body, pulling her on top of him one minute, and then flipping her over onto her belly the next, must surely be burning up a thousand calories at least. And when it was over, when he’d made her come more times than she could keep track of and he’d collapsed on top of her in a heavy, sweaty heap, her heart was pounding so fast that she felt like she’d just run a marathon at world record pace.
Nick’s hand caressed her bare back soothingly as their breathing gradually returned to normal. “Still regretting sleeping in and missing that race, Angel?” he murmured to her teasingly.
“Hmm, maybe just a little,” she teased back. “But then, I tend to forget sometimes that I’m sleeping with the devil and that he constantly tempts me to do naughty things.”
He laughed, capturing one of her hands and interlacing their fingers together. “While having my angel back in my life is saving my soul.”
She grinned at him. “So while you’re corrupting me I’m saving you? I guess as long as there’s a happy medium that will balance itself out in the long run.”
“Speaking of runs, you’ve still got several hundred calories to burn off here if you want to make up for that half marathon, Angel,” he reminded seductively, his hand cupping her breast. “Not to mention the huge breakfast I’m going to insist you eat in a few minutes.”
She made a sound of pleasure deep in her throat as he licked her nipple. “No rush. We’ve got the rest of the day to burn off those calories, don’t we?”
Nick shook his head. “No, baby. We’ve got the rest of our lives.”
THE END
A Note from the Author
I hope you enjoyed reading Angela and Nick’s story, as well as catching up with a few of the characters from the other books. I’ve had the time of my life writing these stories and sharing them with my readers.
Next up is Lauren’s long awaited novel, tentatively titled Sensational. And yes, there is far more to Lauren than the tough-talking image she likes to present to the world. Once upon a time Lauren was in love and had her heart broken, and her novel will take you back to that more innocent time in her life while also carrying you through the whirlwind of her life in the present time. Look for Sensational at your favorite e-bookstore in the fall of 2015.
I’m currently looking into the possibility of creating print editions of all my books, so stay tuned to my website, Facebook page, and Goodreads for more information on this development. Until then, please stay in touch. I love to hear from fans and think of you more like friends than I do readers. Please drop me a line anytime and I’ll be sure to reply as soon as possible.
Happy reading!
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