"Tell me if anything hurts," he says.
"I want you," I whisper.
Then he notches himself at my entrance and pushes in slowly.
The stretch is intense. I gasp, fingers digging into his shoulders.
Ross stills immediately. "You okay?"
"Yes," I breathe. "Don't stop."
He sinks deeper, inch by inch, giving me time to adjust. When he's fully seated, we both groan.
"Fuck," he mutters. "You feel incredible."
He starts to move, slow and steady, each thrust deliberate. His eyes never leave my face, like he's memorizing every reaction, every gasp, every tremble.
I wrap my legs around his hips, pulling him deeper.
"Harder," I whisper.
Ross's control fractures. His pace quickens, hips driving into mine with more force. The bed creaks beneath us, but neither of us cares.
He lifts my legs onto his shoulders, angling me so he hits even deeper. I cry out, overwhelmed by the sensation of being taken so thoroughly.
"That's it," he says against my neck. "Let go."
I'm climbing again, impossibly fast.
"Ross, I'm going to—"
"I've got you," he says. "Come for me."
The pressure crests, and I shatter, clenching around him, body shaking with the force of it.
Ross groans, thrusts turning erratic. "Ashley… fuuuuuck."
He buries himself deep and goes rigid, a low, guttural sound tearing from his throat as he comes.
For a long moment, neither of us moves.
Then Ross shifts carefully, pulling out and disposing of the condom. He returns to the bed and pulls me close, wrapping his arms around me.
My heartbeat is loud in my ears.
He presses a kiss to my forehead, then another to my temple.
"You okay?" he asks, voice softer now.
I nod against his chest. "More than okay."
His arms tighten around me, and I feel the tension finally leave my body. Not just from the sex, but from everything. The fear. The running. The constant looking over my shoulder.
For the first time in months, I feel safe.
Ross shifts so he can look at me. His eyes are steady, the same ones that met mine through my car window.
"I meant what I said earlier," he tells me. "I'm going to handle this. Whatever you're running from."
