“And here, too?” She kissed his other cheek, then his earlobe and his neck. When her mouth found his, she knew she’d comehome.
Despite the trembling, she needed to take this next step. But her deep-seated fear of abandonment had crippled her. She hadn’t made love to a man in eleven years. Sex, yes. But sex and lovemaking weren’t the same thing. Letting Crockett into her heart would leave her vulnerable, but she needed to be close to him. In every way possible. She needed to push past her fear and take this nextstep.
Moving off him, she stood. Though her heart raced and she had to keep reminding herself to breathe, she peeled off her sweater, then her pants. Once naked, she helped him remove his pajamabottoms.
“You’re shaking,” he murmured. “Let me holdyou.”
“After, you can hold me all night.” His knowing smile boosted her confidence. “Would you be more comfortable inbed?”
“The only place I want to be is inside you.” His voice had dropped. His huskiness made her heart pound faster and her insides clench withneed.
“I don’t want to hurtyou.”
“Then don’t leave me,” hemurmured.
God, his honesty was stirring up a maelstrom of emotion. “I haven’t done this in a longtime.”
When he stroked her breast, his fingers grazed her nipple. Excitement shot through her. “Condoms are in my nighttable.”
While she wanted to feel his hard, thick shaft without the thin layer of latex, she wasn’t ready for that level of intimacy.Small steps.She retreated into his bedroom and returned with a packet, which he rolledon.
As she straddled him, she watched for signs of pain. If Crockett was uncomfortable, he hid it well. “I want to make love,” she murmured. “But I’m afraid. I have no mask to hide behind. I’m vulnerable and so are my feelings.” She gobbled down a jitterybreath.
“Let me love you, my sweet, beautiful Alexandra. Let me show you how much you mean to me. Trust this. Trustus.”
Losing him had been unbearable. Would loving him now result in more heartache? The adoration in his eyes mirrored everything she felt for this man.Noregrets.
One simple kiss unleashed a decade of waiting and hoping and wanting. She let go and got lost in everything Crockett. The build was slow and tender. The kissing never stopped, nor did their touching. Neither could look anywhere but into the other’s eyes, into their bared souls. She loved Crockett Wilde with her entire being and she felt his lovetenfold.
When their lovemaking ended, she lay by his side, sated and happy. The flickering firelight danced in his eyes, the outpouring of his loveundeniable.
After dotting her face in worshipful kisses, he smiled. “I’ve missed you somuch.”
She propped herself on her elbow, kissed his shoulder, his chest, his cheek, and when her lips touched his, shesmiled.
He slipped his hand behind her neck and pulled her close. One soft, doting kiss turned into many. “I’m still in pain,” hemurmured.
“Then I’ll stay up all night and kiss youbetter.”
23
The Forensic Sketch
Crockett reached out forher,but she was gone. Though groggy, his eyes flew open. He’d dreamt she’d left him and moved back west.Not happening. Dismissing the thought, he stretched…and groaned. His sore muscles and battered body felt the full impact of his bouts the day before.Fuck, Iache.
The sublime image of Alexandra gliding over him sent a surge of electricity pulsing through him. Her soft curves, silky skin and look of love erased his anxiety and soothed his pain. Pushing slowly out of bed, he padded into the bathroom. Upon exiting, he pulled on a T-shirt and sweat pants, grabbed the gift box from his closet shelf, and left in search of his GothGirl.
Their rumpled clothing lay on the floor by the fireplace and warmth flooded his chest. He’d waited years for last night.Well worthit.
Alexandra stood at the counter, scooping coffee into the filter, wearing yoga pants and a long-sleeved shirt. All he wanted to do was take her in his arms and tell her how fucking much he lovedher.
“Good morning.” He set the gift on the island and wrapped his arms around her. Her beautiful scent surrounded him. Nuzzling her neck, he breathed deep. No perfume, no lotion. Just Alex. Though subtle, her musclestensed.
Instead of leaning against him or turning to face him, she stepped away, severing their connection. Her tight smile didn’t touch her eyes. “How are youfeeling?”
He studied her face, trying to make sense of her chilly behavior. After last night, he’d assumed that their relationship had taken a step forward. Unmasked sex. No role-playing. Beautiful lovemaking. But today, she couldn’t push him away fast enough. “What’swrong?”
“Nothing.” She spun around and finished makingcoffee.
