I smirked, feeling smug as fuck.
We lay quietly for a long, blissful moment, both of us savoring the sweet aftermath. After a while, I shifted carefully, rolling onto my back while holding Clara firmly to my body, and keeping us connected.
She made a contented, sleepy sound and curled against me, her head resting comfortably on my chest. I wrapped my arms tightly around her, holding her secure as exhaustion settled over us both.
When we fell asleep, Clara’s soft curves were still tucked perfectly against my hard body. Our breaths mingled as one, my cock still buried deep, exactly where we both belonged.
13
CLARA
Waking up in Ronan’s king-sized bed felt like heaven after a week of squeezing into my double. My mattress always had more than enough space, but adding his big body next to mine meant we had to snuggle close all night long. Which definitely had its perks, but I also wasn’t getting as much rest.
I stretched lazily, and my muscles protested in the most delicious way. My thighs ached, my core was tender, and there was a faint soreness deep inside that reminded me exactly how many times Ronan had taken me last night. He’d been insatiable, growling filthy promises against my skin as he filled me over and over again. His raw need and that possessive edge made my body clench around him each and every time.
I knew we were taking risks we hadn’t truly talked about except for in the heat of the moment, but I found that I didn’t care nearly as much as I probably should. Not when it was too easy to picture a future with Ronan and a bunch of little kids with his dark hair and gray eyes growing up on the same land I had.
Shifting onto my side, I found him already awake. He was propped on one elbow and watching me with those eyes thatnever seemed to miss anything. His hair was a mess from my fingers, and his beard was thicker than when we first met. The sheet rode low on his hips, exposing the black ink on his broad chest, his six-pack abs, and the dark trail of hair that disappeared beneath the soft fabric.
“Morning, baby,” he murmured, his voice still rough from sleep.
“Good morning.” I smiled, wincing a little as I moved. At his arched brow, I explained, “I’m sore.”
His lips curved into smirk. “Good sore?”
“Very good sore.” I reached out, tracing the edge of the tattoo on his shoulder. “You were kind of relentless last night.”
“Didn’t hear you complaining.” His hand slid under the sheet, his palm settling possessively over my hip. “In fact, you begged a few times.”
Heat rushed to my face. “I did not beg.”
“My pretty little liar.” He leaned down and kissed me, his tongue stroking mine until I was arching into him despite the ache. When he pulled back, his thumb stroked against my side. “Want me to kiss it better?”
For a moment, I was tempted to agree, only because I knew how many mind-blowing orgasms he could give me with his mouth. But I was still wrung out from last night, so I forced myself to laugh and swat his hand away. “Later. I need to move before I’m permanently fused to this mattress.”
He chuckled, captured mouth for another quick kiss, then rolled out of bed in one smooth motion, completely naked and completely unselfconscious. The sight of his broad shoulders, thick thighs, and already half-hard dick made my mouth water.
“Shower first.” He reached down and wrapped his hand around my wrist. “Followed by some much-needed coffee. Then I want you to come with me to the compound.”
“You do?” I didn’t know why I was surprised, considering how much time we’d spent together over the past week and a half. And it wasn’t as though I’d never been to the Hounds compound before. But it was different going with Ronan on the back of his bike rather than as Poppy’s guest.
“Yeah.” He pulled me up, steadying me when my legs wobbled.
“Okay.”
We showered together, and it was all soapy touches and lingering kisses, but no more sex because I really was too sore for round whatever number we were on. I had no regrets that he’d put his bigger bed to good use, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I walked a little bow-legged all day. Maybe if I blamed it on riding on the back of Ronan’s motorcycle, someone would believe me.
He dressed me in one of his T-shirts over my jeans, and it hung to mid-thigh on me. “It’s almost long enough to be a dress.”
“Looks better on you.” He tugged me toward the door. “Just don’t get any ideas about wearing it without pants. Nobody needs to get any ideas about your perfect little ass.”
I rolled my eyes. “That would never happen.”
“You keep being adorably oblivious to other men, baby, and I’ll make sure all the ones who notice you stay fucking far away.”
As we headed to the garage to get his motorcycle, I grumbled about his caveman nature. But I didn’t really mean a word of what I said, which we both knew.
The ride to the compound was short, but I enjoyed every minute of his bike rumbling under us with my arms tight around his waist. And I felt the added weight when we drove through the gate. Ronan was bringing me into the heart of his life, and I appreciated it more than words could say. But it was so different from the orchard that it made me wonder again if he’d be content to move onto my family’s land and help me run the place.
