Page 69 of Poet & Protector

“Yes.” I gritted my teeth.

“Take me,” he whispered.

My heart crashed against my ribs as I lined myself up and slowly pressed forward. Mason’s breath hitched as I breached him.

“Okay?” I asked, watching him with concern.

He nodded, holding my gaze; his already flushed skin dewed with sweat as I pushed deeper.

“Nev.” My name was a shaking rasp of breath when it spilled from his lips.

“I know, baby.” I tried to keep my voice steady, but my strain had to be obvious. I was barely holding it together. The way he engulfed me, the heat of his body drawing me in, clasping me so tightly, had me far too close to tipping over the edge.

Mason’s eyes softened at the endearment. I rarely used them with him, even though I wanted to. It was too risky that I’d drop one without thinking at the wrong time, so I couldn’t make it a habit.

“I’m trying to be careful,” I said, afraid I was causing him pain. Some discomfort was inevitable, but too much was unacceptable. “Do you need me to stop? If I’m hurting you, I’ll stop. We don’t have to do this.”

“Don’t stop.” His eyes flew wide. “Don’t you dare stop. Give me more.”

“More?” My pulse was about to break the sound barrier. “Are you sure?”

“Please,” he said. “I need all of you.”

“Mason—”

“You’re not hurting me,” he insisted, breathless. “It’s intense, but it’s good. So good.”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Intense barely covered everything I was feeling. He wanted more, but I was on the verge of losing it at any moment. I bit my lip, so hard I tasted blood, to keep myself in check as I eased into him. Slowly. Slowly. The ache nearly unbearable. Heat licked up and down my limbs, pleasure coiled at the base of my spine. It was the most incredible torture. I needed it to end and I wanted it to last forever.

I studied Mason’s expression. His hazel-blue eyes were fogged with pleasure.

“More,” he whispered. His neck arched and he groaned. “Stop being careful. You feel incredible. Oh god, Nev. Please.”

He clearly didn’t get that I was taking my time out of sheer self-preservation. “Mason, I’m⁠—”

Suddenly baring his teeth, he bucked his hips while at the same moment his hands gripped my waist and dragged me forward until I was buried to the hilt.

“Fuck!” I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting for control as my climax boiled up. It was right there. Right there. I clenched my jaw until sharp pain spiked deep in the bones, pushing pleasure sensations back to a point I could manage.

“Nev?” Mason’s concern forced my eyes open. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

I shook my head, still too close to the brink to speak.

He searched my face, his gaze full of worry. “You look like you’re in pain.”

A rueful laugh slipped out. “It’s not the bad kind.”

His trepidation vanished only to be replaced by a mischievous smile. “Oh yeah? Are you close?”

As if he didn’t already know the answer. I grimaced, not trusting that look.

When he ran his hands up my back and slowly rocked his pelvis, I hissed out a breath.

“Don’t move, Mason. You cannot move again. You need to give me a minute.”

“Mmmm.” He stilled, but kept smiling. “I like it when you’re hanging by a thread. You’re completely at my mercy right now.”

Reaching between us, he began to stroke himself.