She got the feeling, the very strong feeling, that if she ran, he’d chase her down. That alone gave her the courage she wanted desperately. “No holding back, Heath.”
His brows drew down as if her words were unclear.
“Did you hear me?” Her voice was way too breathy, but she couldn’t control it.
He leaned over and ran his big palms down her legs. “I won’t hurt you, Anya.”
“I know.” She settled her hands over his and squeezed. “But you don’t have to hold back. I want all of you tonight.”
He studied her, and she fought the urge to fidget. “You want me to fuck you.”
The crassness turned her on. She drew in air, more than sensing the edge he rode. Yeah. The atmosphere around them swelled like the quiet before a storm broke. “Yes.”
“Say it.”
She stilled, instinctively knowing the words would have power—and not only for her. “I want you to fuck me.” Her voice was low but strong.
If she thought he’d just pounce, she was wrong.
In fact, he straightened up and walked, all grace, to the nightstand. “Then you’re wearing this while I do.” He held the pretty green ring.
Vulnerability whispered through her. She held out her hand, and he slipped the ring on, his gaze keeping hers. It felt like more than a piece of jewelry. It was a claim . . . and a promise. For the moment, she let those become her reality. God, it felt good. Real and strong.
By the flaring of his nostrils, he knew it, too.
She had to regain control somehow. Surprising herself, she flipped her legs around and rolled to the other side of the bed to stand. Anticipation and warmth burst in her chest.
His chin lowered. “What are you doing?”
Was that a tremble in his voice? She smirked, adrenaline flooding her system. “You want me? I think you need to catch me.”
He gave a sharp shake of his head. “Enough, Anya. Come back here.” No tremble—just raw gravel.
Ah, the warning. Sure, he gave the order as a command, but it was said as a warning. One she had no intention of heeding. “No.”
He moved.
She jumped out of the way, scrambling across the bed. He caught her with one arm around her waist and threw her down, face first.
Yelping, partially laughing, she struggled against him.
He grabbed her hips and pulled her onto all fours.
She tossed her head, and her hair fell down her back. A condom wrapper crinkled. She started to move forward, and he yanked her back against him. She had one second to appreciate him at her core, and then he shoved inside her so hard she nearly exploded in raw pleasure.
Pain and pleasure rippled through her in unison, and she arched her back from devastating sensations. He filled her completely.
Then he was over her back, his mouth at her ear, his hand along her neck, forcing her head up. “You wanted this,” he whispered, his voice dark and deep.
She shivered in his absolute hold. Her back was to his heated front. “Then give it to me.”’
His hand slid down, his palm flattened over her collarbone with a thumb and a finger on either side of her neck. The strength in that one hand should’ve given her pause. Yet it was way too late to stop. She clenched her internal muscles.
The sound he gave was more of a growl than a moan. He tightened his hold, pulled out, and shoved back in, using his hand to keep her upright. “Ah, baby. You’re feeling so brave.”
“Yep.” She tried to sound flippant, but her voice was breathy with need. When he moved like that, he touched every nerve that existed inside her. Twice. She wanted to lower her head, but his hand prevented that, leaving her back elongated and her body slightly off balance.
“Hmm.” His free hand tweaked a nipple—not gently—and then he tapped down her abdomen.
