Never again.
Hazel will never be alone as long as I’m around.
She’ll have me. She’ll have my team. She’ll have Winter and Lark and Rory. She’ll have all my old Army buddies like Ace and Rhett. She’llalwayshave someone to have her six.
Hazel runs her fingers through my hair. “I alwayswondered if your hair was as soft as it looks. And now I know.”
I start kissing a line down her chest and stomach, loving the way her muscles quiver at my touch. “And is it? Soft?”
“Alec. You know it is. Your hair is amazing. All soft and shiny and thick. I wish I had waves like yours.”
“Haze. Your hair is beautiful. It reminds me of Snow White’s. But even prettier.”
This isn’t something I’ve done before; engaging in conversation during foreplay. In the past, it was all about getting to the main event. Not that I didn’t try to satisfy the woman—I did, and I never had complaints—but to talk about hair and T-shirts and feelings… It’s different.
And I like it. A lot.
As I work my way down Hazel’s body, she moans. Her head falls back. A pretty flush creeps across her chest and her legs spread further apart.
“Alec.” Her gaze searches mine. “I love what you’re doing. But…”
I still. “But what?”
In a rush, she blurts, “I just really want to feel you inside me.”
Oh.
Shit.
But the foreplay. Kissing her all over. Draping her legs over my shoulders and bringing her to completionwith my mouth and fingers. Exploring her body to find all the sensitive spots. Taking my time with her.
“We don’t have to rush,” I reply.
My body groans silently in protest.
“I know.” She shifts so our hips are lined up and I’m nudging at her center. “But I want to. Because I can’t wait to feel you inside me. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.”
I glance between us. All it would take is one quick thrust and I’d be inside her. Joined with her. And I want it. Badly.
“Ah, shit. Protection.” I start to sit back on my heels. “I need to get my wallet.”
Hazel grabs my ass and pulls me back down. Though her voice is confident, vulnerability flashes in her eyes. “I’m on birth control. And I’ve been tested. So, if you wanted…”
She would forgo protection with me?
I’ve never, ever been with a woman without it.
“Or not,” she adds quickly. “It was just a thought.”
“I’ve been tested, too. Are you sure, though?”
“I never thought I’d want to. But with you… I want to feel everything.”
My heart rolls over. Squeezes.
My mom was right.
Though it’s the most incongruous thought to be having right now, I can’t help it.
