He was the one who needed a lesson in patience right now. With slow intent, he licked her straining clit until her hips bucked. Then he sucked, taking his time, learning what made her issue those sweet, throaty moans a man could live off.
Whenever he gave her bud a harder pull with his lips, she began to shake. Christ. Who knew all this time what he neededwas this—a stunning woman, quirky and dedicated to caring for dead plants. A woman who made his heartbeat double every time he looked at her.
“Crew—oh god—”
He slid one finger inside her, then two, crooking them just right. Her hands fisted in the comforter, and he could feel her tightening around him.
“That’s it,” he murmured against her, watching her beautiful face flush and those freckles stand out even more. He sucked on her clit using the pressure he knew made her tremble as he slowly fucked her with his finger. “Let go, honey. Come for me.”
At his gritty demand, she spiked upward. She held her breath as her body bowed. Her hips hovered in the air for a beat before she shattered, his name a ragged sob on her lips.
Emotion arced to his heart like an electric jolt. He’d never met anyone like Fern in all his life. And who knew—all this time—she was what he was missing?
He worked her through the tight clench and release of her orgasm, loving her grasp on his hair, and gentling his touch as she came down and her cries turned to soft coos. He pressed gentle kisses to her thigh until a final shudder rolled through her.
When he looked up, she was staring at him, her expression dazed and sated. A slow, lazy smile curved her lips, and something shifted in his chest.
He may not know what he wanted in life, but he knew he wanted to put that smile on her face every damn day.
Wanted to make her feel cherished, desired.
Safe from whatever scared her—or was coming for her.
The realization should have terrified him. A month ago, it would have. But now, with Fern looking at him like he’d just given her the world, it felt right.
He climbed onto the bed, settling beside her, and she immediately curled into him, her hand resting over his heart.
“You okay?” He searched her face, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.
“Better than okay.” Her voice was soft, content.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then her nose, then her lips. She hummed against his mouth, her leg sliding over his hip, opening herself to him again.
“Fern—”
“I want all of you,” she whispered, skating her fingers down his abs. “Please, Crew.”
His control snapped. In seconds, he had his jeans and boots off, aware of her eyelids dipping over her smoldering eyes the way they did back in the garden when she studied his tattoos.
She threw him a grin that sent his heart into an uneven beat. His hands shook as he rolled on one of the condoms they provided the guys in the program, but most of them never used. The only guy he knew who had a sex life was Pope, because he’d taken a fancy to a woman who worked at one of the bars in town.
Crew pinned Fern in his stare. Her breath stuttered and lips popped open at whatever she saw on his face.
“I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anybody.”
“Me too.” Her rasp skittered through his senses.
He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her long and deep. Each stroke of their tongues rekindled the fire he’d seen in her eyes when she peaked on his tongue.
Her fingers dug into his biceps like she didn’t want to let go. And hell, he didn’t want her to.
He settled between her thighs, his throbbing cock pressing against her entrance. She was wet and ready, and he had to close his eyes for a second, fighting for composure.
“Look at me, Crew,” she said. And he did.
Her eyes were clear, trusting. No hesitation. No fear.
Just want.
