Page 279 of A Matter of Time

“You know I love you. Don’t be stupid.”

“And that’s why Aaron got a no.” His hand slipped up the back of my neck, his fingers buried in my hair.

“That’s why,” I agreed, my voice ragged. I sounded drugged. “I need to⁠—”

“Lie down?” he teased me, easing back to look down at my face.

“I—”

He chuckled. “Let’s get your shoes off.”

It was ridiculous to be lifted to my feet so he could help me with my boots. He knelt close, pulled off my boots and socks, slid my jeans and briefs over my ankles, then rose and grabbed me, wrapping me in his arms, carrying me clutched tight to his chest.

“Put me down right now.”

“Okay.” He dropped me onto his bed.

“Ass,” I yelled when I hit the cold sheets that he’d pulled back, and he stood there, looking down at me as I hurried to cover myself with the blankets. “Your bed is freezing.”

I watched him slowly strip out of his clothes to reveal the rippling muscles and big, hard body I knew. The man was massive.

He smiled wickedly, clearly pleased with himself. “You look good lying in my bed.”

“It’s only for tonight.”

“Whatever you say,” he agreed before he lifted the covers and slid in beside me. The heat in his eyes made me catch my breath.

“Sam, you know we’re not––”

“I’m keeping you. If you were smarter, you’d get that this is a done deal already.”

My brows furrowed, and he bent to kiss the bridge of my nose.

“You’re so adorable.”

I tried to push him off me, but he was too strong, his mouth slanting over mine, his tongue slipping deep into my mouth.

“Jory…baby,” he sighed as he pulled back to look into my eyes. “I love you so.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him back down to me. And his weight on me felt like coming home.

“I know you’re scared I’m gonna go away or do something stupid because our track record is for shit. I know you don’t trust me, and I know you’re still pissed about three years without any contact. I have no right to expect anything from you, especially not faith or trust, but you just…you have to, is all. I can’t be without you, and holy crap…what we just did, you know that was amazing.”

I just stared up into his beautiful eyes.

He shook his head, just barely, brows furrowing like he was dismissing something. “Knock it off. Stop with your face.”

“My face is my face, Sam.”

“You know what I mean. Stop with all the sad in your eyes. I will never leave you.”

“Sam, you’ve said that so many⁠—”

“You’re not gonna love anybody but me. You know you’re not.”

“I’m not?”

“Fuck no.”