The picture is carnal. Primal. Salacious.
But it’s his eyes that hold me prisoner with the reverence of his gaze. We may be fucking, but what I see in his eyes is beyond that. The intimacy in the way he looks at me pulls at the strings of my heart.
I desperately want to look away, because I will not be able to forget this moment. But perhaps I don’t have to, because the mirror doesn’t lie. And I’m looking at him—at us—the same way.
“Xander,” I cry.
The release hits us both at the same time, and I bend forward, almost falling to the ground if it weren’t for the firm arms holding me tight around my waist.
His eyes seemed to promise me he would be there when I fell.
Xander peppers my skin with kisses as we both try to come down from that devastating orgasm.
But as if the newly found and entirely unexpected closeness wasn’t scary enough, Xander pulls me to him, wraps his arms around me, and shifts me around.
I sit on his lap sideways while he holds me in his arms like I’m precious. Like I’m worthy. Like I’m truly his.
“What have you done to me, Coraline?” he whispers into the crook of my neck.
It’s such a soft sigh, I’m not even sure if he really uttered the words. But he looks up, and I see the same question in his expression.
His beautiful face carries tortured stillness, and the depth in his gaze makes my chest tighten.
It’s like he’s memorizing me. Like he’s seeing a miracle, or possibly his demise.
The moment grows thick with things we don’t say, because they are too raw and too fragile for what this is.
And perhaps we are not ready to contemplate what this could be.
“I had them ring all the things you selected and a few more, and I’m pretty sure you’re still under budget.” Xander tuts, shaking his head.
His words break the moment, and I’m grateful for that. Yet again, he reached for playfulness at the right time. Is it to protect me? To protect himself? Or to save us both?
His comment penetrates my daze and snaps me back to reality.
“Oh my God, I screamed your name.” I cover my mouth with my hand.
“Who else’s name would you bring into this?” Xander slaps me gently.
I stand up, grabbing my clothes like I can salvage anything. “Everyone heard us.”
“The walk of shame is going to be epic.” He smirks.
“I hate you,” I grumble, getting dressed hastily.
“Now you’re just lying, Coraline.” Xander doesn’t show any urgency or care.
Jesus. I completely lost myself in him. He’s right; this is going to be some walk of shame. At least I never have to come here again.
“And I’m not getting all those clothes; it’s ridiculous.”
“Cora,” he warns.
When I don’t respond, he snatches my T-shirt from me and cups my chin. “You’re getting all those clothes.You’re taking everything I ever give you, and I will keep giving until you learn to reward yourself. To put yourself first. Understood?”
I glare, but I have nothing to say to that. This infuriating man not only takes care of me, he’s determined to teach me to do the same. For me.
“Understood?” He glares at me.
