When his own release came, it was so powerful, he found himself gripping her hips and thrusting until he was pushing her up against the pillows. And did not stop until he had emptied himself.
With his body still shuddering, he buried his face in her hair and did not move. Could not move.
Gradually, as his breathing slowed, an overwhelming tenderness swept through him. He wrapped his arms around her, holdingher close, silently vowing never to let her go again. In that quiet aftermath, their bodies tangled and hearts exposed, a sense of peace settled between them, fragile but real.
The world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them, cocooned in the sanctuary they had built together.
She stirred and he just realized that he was still on top of her, still inside her. Even though he was loath to move, to break the contact, he shifted but kept his arms around her.
"I should--"
"No." His arms tightened.
She lifted her brow at him. "You have no idea what I was going to say."
"I can't let you go." His eyes were intense, and they both knew he wasn't talking about their current situation.
"Look--"
"No." He repeated, lips thinning. "Don't ask me to take a step back Abigail, I can't."
She stirred restlessly. "I need time."
"Take all the time you need. Only don't ask me to stay away." He brushed his lips on hers. "Please."
"I cannot think when you do that."
His smile was feral. "That's the point."
She found herself going under and only just managed to slap a hand on his chest to ease him back. "I need to think." Taking a deep breath, she tried to surface from the fog of desire clouding her brain.
"You don't trust me."
"No."
Even though he expected the answer, it still sliced through him. Easing all the way back, he let her go and sat up against the pillows, his face grim.
"I'm sorry."
He shook his head and tried to align his thoughts. "You have every right." His hands clenched into fists and he forced himself to relax his fingers. "I was a player." His mouth twisted bitterly.
"I never wanted to settle down. Kev was the sober one, even when we were growing up. He was always studying, always had this serious look about him. Kat and I used to tease him mercilessly, but he wouldn't budge. He was determined to take his place in the company, and nothing was going to stop him." He lifted his shoulders in a shrug.
"Kat and I were allowed to run wild and we did. Being the second son meant I had no responsibility or obligation to adhere to rules. Everything came easy for me. I have a brilliant mind and never had to study. I aced every test, was always the first to finish in class.
"I was easily bored and restless. I couldn't settle at any one thing."
Lifting his hands, he dragged them through his hair. She sat quietly, with the sheets around her and listened.
"I passed through high school, was valedictorian and did not take it seriously. I lost my virginity when I was thirteen." He turned his head to see her reaction and was not surprised at the shock on her face. "Betty Lou was sixteen and a senior. She was rich and entitled and spoiled and offered me a ride in her convertible.
"We ended up doing it in the back seat of her car in broad daylight." He shook his head. "From that point on, I considered myself a man. I've had more women than I can count. I was careless with their feelings." His lips thinned.
"Why are you telling me this?"
He turned to face her. "I want full disclosure." He started to reach for her but decided against it. "When I met you..." He closed his eyes briefly. "I saw you when you came into the room and felt something, here." He pressed a hand to his heart.
"It was strong and vibrant. I thought it was plain old-fashioned lust. You are after all, a beauty and I was attracted to beauty." He leaned his head back and laughed harshly. "The only thing I knew was that I had to have you. When I did, I wanted to stay, wanted to prolong what we had.
