She lifted her head to brush her lips against his. “I’m on birth control. Just thought you might want to know.”
“I’ve never been with anyone without a condom. Ever. But I brought one. In the back pocket of my jeans.”
“Because you knew you’d get lucky tonight?”
Jace shook his head, but he didn’t answer right away. Selena got the feeling he was debating how much to reveal. Then he licked his lips and spoke. “Because I’d never want to miss this chance if it came up.”
She lay on her back and brought her hands to his face, stroking his cheeks, running her fingers over the stubble of his jaw. “So you think we might be good together the second time around?”
His gaze moved over her slowly, hot and intense. “I hope so.”
Hope. That was the right word for this moment. Looking up into his eyes, she let herself hope. Want. Maybe evenneedthe things they could give each other.
So they kissed and kissed and kissed some more. She parted her legs, and he settled between them. He reached down, teasing her, getting her even more worked up. His erection pressed urgently against her thigh, and she wiggled closer.
“You want this?” His voice was short and a little strained.
“Yes. Yes.”
He lowered his head for a kiss, first soft, then hungrier as he entered her.Oh, God, there was nothing that came close to this magical mix of bliss and relief. Finally,finally, she and Jace were together again. He shifted over her, memories mixing with sensations as they fit themselves together.
Selena closed her eyes, adjusting, remembering. Jace was inside her, covering her with his big, hard body, the familiar scent of him everywhere. She didn’t resist the flood of happiness that filled her. At last. Jace shook as he held her, waiting for her.
“I’m ready,” she whispered. “Please.”
He rested on his elbows, pulling out and then gliding back in. Pleasure raced through her, every stroke spreading white-hot bursts of desire. She met each of his thrusts, pulling him against her, trying to get closer. It was as if all those years apart were just to lead them to this moment, when they came together again. His muscles moved against hers, and he wrapped his hands around her shoulders, holding her in place as he thrust. His eyes were dark and serious, and he didn’t look away.
“Goddamn, Selena,” he bit out. “There’s no one like you.”
She moaned and met each of his thrusts with her hips, faster, harder. The connection between them was so good, so strong, and he whispered words of pleasure, over and over, telling her how much he needed her. His expression tightened and his breaths were fast and harsh. He was close, but she knew he’d wait for her. He always would. Selena blinked back her tears as her body burst into flames.
Chapter Thirteen
Jace’s body was spent, but he held Selena tightly, breathing in her scent. He wasn’t ready to let her go. Her head rested on his chest, and her legs tangled with his. Their bodies still fit together so perfectly.
He could feel the moment starting to slip away, and he searched for something to say, something to convince her to hold onto this new connection, to explore it.
“I meant what I said,” he whispered into her hair. “There’s no one like you.”
Selena’s body shook with quiet laughter. “We can do that again, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
She stilled in his arms. “You don’t have to explain.”
He shook his head. He had to get these next moments right. What could he say to convince her to start over with him?
“Jace?”
Her voice was soft, hesitant. Selena’s hand drifted over his shoulder and down his arm, and her eyes were serious.
Jace flipped his hand over and laced his fingers with hers. “Please don’t just disappear. Give us a chance.”
Now he had said it, and he braced himself for whatever came next.
“I’ve been thinking about it. A lot.” Her eyes were dewy, and it was doing crazy things to him.
“I’m not going to push you this time,” he said, keeping his voice even. “But I can’t be casual with you.”
