“I love you...” I said again, loving how his body quivered at the words.
He captured my lips in a torrid kiss, sucking my tongue into his mouth. “Tell me again.”
“I love you...” I rasped, only beginning to understand how important the words were to him. How happy they made him. “Forever, Michael.”
“Bianca...” he breathed into my mouth, his firm body moving against mine with firm, measured strokes.
The time would come when I would be strong enough for him to fuck me with abandon. I knew he was holding back so he wouldn’t hurt me, and I dug my nails into his shoulder.
“Come inside me. I need every part of you.”
He released my hand and licked his fingers before lowering them to my clit. He circled the taut bud, bringing me to the edge of release as sweat formed on his brow.
We writhed together, taking each other to the peak before diving over the cliff together. Our breaths mingled in the quiet room, and our bodies shuddered together as we experienced the ultimate pleasure.
Eventually, he fell against me, sated and sanguine. I ran my nails over his scalp, loving how he stretched toward my fingers, like a cat on a sunny windowsill.
His muscles relaxed completely, and I felt him slip from my body.
“Will there ever be a time that you don’t fall asleep after we make love?” I teased.
Michael grunted and burrowed deeper into my body.
“I mean, it’s exceptionally cute, but I do need a little aftercare.”
“I’ll clean you up in a minute. Be quiet and let me hold you, stella.”
“Is that an order?”
Silence was my only response as he exhaled a heavy breath.
Smiling against his temple, I resigned myself to the fact that my husband was a serial post-sex snorer.
And God help me, I couldn’t have been happier.
Epilogue
Michael
One week later
Istood on the cold grass in my back yard, watching my wife shoot the Glock I’d given her. Burns had set up some targets along the far fence, and she was focused as she emptied the magazine into the red circles.
“Nice job,” I said, nodding. “You’re very steady for a beginner.”
She loaded a new magazine and smiled, and damn, but the sight of my wife loading a gun set my body on fire. She was fierce as she arched an eyebrow and held the gun up.
“My grandfather taught me how to shoot years ago, but your training is much more comprehensive.”
She winked before turning and planting her feet. A muscle clenched in her jaw before she began to fire at the target again.
My phone rang and I pulled it from my pocket.
“This must be serious if you’re calling me,” I said into the phone.
“Someone made an anonymous call to the police about the safehouse,” Leo said, his tone serious. “This person said they heard yelling and a commotion. Nassau police drove by and the front door was open.”
“What are you saying, Leo?” I asked as dread snaked up my spine.
