Page 14

Her knees surrendered, too, and Damon swept her up like a bride. He didn’t set her down until they were in her bedroom.

Eager hands removed the clothing from each of them. Equally impatient, they came together for a searing kiss as soon as the last article dropped to the floor.

“Don’t ever scare me like that again,” Nicole took his face in her hands. “I saw you jog off into the forest after that man. You took a part of me with you.”

Damon settled his hands on her hips. Her curves were a perfect fit for his large, rough hands. “I was never in any real danger from that guy. I couldn’t let him get away with the child, and I didn’t think the police on site were capable of⁠—”

She cut him off with her lips. Nicole knew he wasn’t just grumpy. He was a hero, a warrior used to heading towards the danger, not away from it. She would have to get used to that aspect of him if she built a life with him. She kissed the unbidden thought out of her mind.

All she wanted in this moment was him.

Without breaking their connection, he maneuvered them onto the bed. She sank into the mattress beneath him, eager to have more points of connection between them. Her hands traced every inch of his muscles she could reach.

“So impatient,” he rumbled. “I like it.” He kissed his way down her body, taking his time with her breasts. Fire burned in her veins. He was taking too long.

“Play later. Need you, now.”

He growled and nipped at her nipple. Just to torture her, he squeezed both breasts, one in each hand. “I won’t be rushed.”

Arching her back, all she could do was writhe. So much she wanted to say to him, but the words couldn’t escape her lust addled mind. Thoughts of belonging, thoughts of desire, of wanting more than just his body.

Distracted, she didn’t notice he’d moved further down until he licked her.

“I’ll always protect you, my angel. Your safety comes before anything else. You don’t have to worry about me leaving you unless I know you’re safe.” He didn’t wait for her to respond. He sucked her clit, using his tongue with wicked skill. She gasped, and he chuckled.

It was a deep sound that she felt through his mouth. Her body was on the edge of an orgasm, and he wasn’t even inside of her yet.

“This isn’t casual for me, Nicole. Tell me you’re mine. I want to hear it from you.” His mouth returned to taunting her with licks and sucks. His teeth entered the conversation at one point.

“I want you, I need you. Please.” Could she say the words?

“You’re mine,” he growled. “Say it.”

When she hesitated, he lifted his mouth. “What’s holding you back?”

“I-I-I…” what was she? Did she even know? At this point, the need to orgasm was all she could think about. He blew on her wet clit, and she huffed in frustration. Her blood cooled, however, and her need stalled.

“Stop whining and talk to me.” He crawled back over her, holding his weight on his elbows. She licked the corded muscle of his shoulder. “Focus,” he grunted through clenched teeth.

“I don’t trust myself. I was wrong before.” Now her heart stuttered and her chest squeezed in fear of his reaction. Naked and beneath him, she was vulnerable. Rejection—even partial—would devastate her.

“Good.”

Her eyes flew back to look into his. “Good?”

“You’re being honest. I can be patient. But I need to know you’re willing to try. Be mine for tonight. Be mine until we have a chance to see how good we could be.” He rested his forehead against hers.

Forever was too much for tonight, but for now… she could be his for now. “Okay.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She grinned. “Now, why don’t you seal the deal.”

He moaned, lined himself up, and entered her with confidence. His hips didn’t hesitate, and her body didn’t resist. He pumped into her with a steady rhythm that reigned the fire in her core, and soon she was screaming his name.

Those hips kept going, and her orgasm lasted so long, she saw stars. When she came back down, he was thrusting rapidly. Craving closeness, she wrapped her legs around his waist and dug her heels into his thighs.

He took the hint and increased his speed until he roared his own climax. He collapsed onto her, and she wrapped her arms around him, bringing his comforting weight down on her. Squeezing him through the aftershocks of her orgasm, they were a carnal heap.