“No. I want you inside me without one.”
Elias froze. “I’ve never done that.”
“Never?”
“No. Not with anyone.”
Her entire chest blushed red as she let go of his wrist. “Then we don’t hav?—”
“Not until now.”
“Oh,” she breathed.
“I never trusted anyone enough.”
“I’m on birth control, and I’m clean.”
Elias gave her a rueful smile. “Not that kind of trust. I never trusted a woman not to break my heart.”
She blinked rapidly. “I won’t break your heart.”
“I know.” He pulled his hand away from the nightstand. Then he covered her body with his. “I trust you completely.” He dipped down and kissed her—another soft brush of his lips against hers. “My heart is completely at your mercy.”
“I won’t,” she repeated.
He nodded. Then he kissed and nuzzled her neck and throat.
“God, I missed you,” she whispered.
“Missed me?” he breathed into her ear, and felt her shiver.
“Yes. Not just the past few days but all my life. I didn’t know you, but I missed you. Does that sound crazy?”
“Not at all. I’m here now, Wren. And I’m not going anywhere.”
She gripped him as if a giant eagle was about to swoop down and carry him off.
“It’s over now, baby. All that waiting for something good.”
“Nothing good ever lasts for me.” The sadness in her voice cracked his heart open. Elias lifted his head and looked deeply into her eyes.
“That changes right now. Wren, I don’t care that we just met. Like you said, I’ve been waiting for you, too, I just didn’t know it. I love you.”
He watched her lips part in shock.
I shouldn’t have told her that. I messed up. I?—
“I love you too, Elias.” She gave him the sweetest smile.
He shook his head in disbelief. “It’s a morning for firsts. That’s the first time I’ve ever told a woman I love you, and the first time I’ve heard it said to me.”
Her sweet smile turned sexy as hell. “Then let’s get to that other first. Now you’re the one who needs to hurry up.”
Elias threw his head back and laughed. Her body felt good as she laughed under him.
“All right. But you can’t stop me from doing one thing first.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
