“What’s that supposed to mean?”
I pulled back slightly so I could see his face. “It means this was supposed to be a business arrangement. A way to secure the ranch, keep my father happy, fulfill the contract. But somewhere along the way, it became... more. You became more.”
His eyes searched mine, and I could see the question forming before he asked it. “More how?”
“More like something I need instead of something I want.” The admission felt dangerous, exposing parts of myself I usually kept locked away. “More like if something happened to you, it would destroy me.”
Nick’s breath hitched, and for a moment I thought maybe I’d said too much. Pushed too hard. But then he was kissing me, his mouth hot and insistent against mine, and I forgot to worry about anything except the feeling of him pressed against me.
When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, he rested his forehead against mine again.
“I know what you mean,” he said quietly. “When that heifer charged, and I saw you go down... I’ve never been that scared in my life. Not when my dad lost the ranch, not when your family showed up with that contract, never. I thought I’d lost you before I even really had you.”
“But you didn’t lose me.” I wrapped my arms around him, careful of my still-healing ribs. “I’m right here.”
“I know.” His arms came around me too, holding me close. “And even though it’s all new and strange to me, I’m not letting go.”
We stood there for a long moment, wrapped up in each other, the creek babbling nearby and the Montana sun warm on our backs. This was what I’d been craving during those long years back in Newark—not just the fresh air and sunshine, but this. Nick’s arms around me, his body solid and real against mine, the knowledge that whatever we were building together was strong enough to last. Arealpartner.
“We should probably head back,” Nick said eventually, though he didn’t make any move to let go. “Before someone comes looking for us.”
“Probably,” I agreed, but I tightened my hold on him instead of releasing it. “Just... give me another minute.”
“Take all the time you need.”
So I did. I stood there holding my husband, breathing in the scent of him, memorizing the feeling of his heartbeat against mine. There was more I wanted to say, but the words terrified me. For now, I was happy to just exist in this moment with Nick. The words could wait.
Chapter 19
Dante
“Oh fuck,” I groaned, my body pressed flush against the cool tile of the shower as Nick’s thick cock stretched me wide. “Just like that, Nick! Just like…that…”
His hands gripped my hips harder, fingers digging into my skin as he thrust deeper. The water cascaded over us, hot and relentless, but I barely felt it. All I could focus on was the way he filled me, the way his breath came in ragged gasps against my shoulder blade.
“God, Dante,” he groaned, his voice rough with need. “You feel sofuckinggood.”
I couldn’t form words anymore. Could barely think. Every thrust drove me higher, pushing me closer to that edge I was desperate to reach. My palms were flat against the tile, my body trembling with the effort of holding myself up. The healing ribs protested, but I didn’t care. Nothing mattered except this. Nick was inside me, claiming me, making me his in the most intimate way possible.
His rhythm changed, became more erratic, and I knew he was close. One of his hands left my hip, reaching around to wrap around my cock, and I nearly came undone right there.
“Cum for me,” he growled in my ear, and the command in his voice sent electricity down my spine.
I lasted maybe three more strokes before I shattered, my orgasm ripping through me with such force that my knees buckled. Nick held me up, held me together, his own release following seconds later. I felt him pulse inside me, and heard my name fall from his lips like a prayer. It never got old.
We stayed like that for a long moment, both of us breathing hard, the water still running over us. When Nick finally pulled out, I had to brace myself harder against the wall to keep from collapsing.
“Jesus,” I breathed, turning carefully to face him. “It’s like you’retryingto break me in half.”
“Are you complaining?” he asked, his green eyes dark and satisfied.
I shook my head, leaning against the wall. “Never ever.”
He kissed me then, slow and deep, and I tasted the promise in it. For me, this wasn’t just sex anymore. This was something more, something that terrified and exhilarated me in equal measure. But I wasn’t ready to say it. Not just yet.
When we finally made it out of the shower, after Nick insisted on washing me carefully, his hands gentle on my bruised ribs, I felt boneless and content in a way I’d come to love in the last week. We dried off quickly, both of us aware that we’d taken longer than we probably should have.
“We’re supposed to have dinner with my family ten minutes ago,” Nick said as we dressed, his voice carrying a note of apprehension. “At the main house. Mom’s been asking about it all week, and I ran out of excuses.”
