Tough Love

Vanity cried out at the sensation of being filled, then cried out again as he began the slow, heavy rhythm that they’d both been anticipating for so long.

Keeping her crushed to him, Stack scooped an arm beneath her hips, angling her just right so that every thrust of his now slick cock stroked against her swollen clit. The feeling was so acute she tried to wiggle back, but Stack kept her locked in place.

“Shh...” he whispered, and then, with his mouth against her jaw, he added low, “So wet and hot.”

“Ah...” Sweet pleasure sparked, then caught flame. “God.”

He took her mouth, stealing her breath, heating her skin, driving her to the edge with the steady way he moved over her, in her. She felt every part of him, inside her, against her breasts and the insides of her thighs, her belly... The man knew how to kiss, and how to utilize a whole body caress.

Vanity tangled her fingers in his hair, locked her ankles at the small of his back, and let herself go. Less than a minute later an orgasm crashed over her.

Trembling, clenching around his erection, she freed her mouth and cried brokenly as burning pleasure escalated, peaked, then gradually receded in throbbing waves, leaving her quiet, boneless and replete.

Lazily opening her eyes, she found Stack watching her, blue eyes like live flames as he continued to gently ride her.

“Me waiting,” he explained low, “until you finished. Now that was sweet.”

She started to laugh, but he increased the tempo, rocking the bed with his urgency, and when he put his head back, shoulders straining, she watched him and concentrated on not speaking.

I love you.

The words burned in her brain, begging to be free. But more quickly than anything else could, they would drive him away when she didn’t even know yet if she’d have more than the moment.

As his big body stopped shaking and he gradually slumped down against her, she stroked his now damp back, relishing the total connection.

Total for her—because she really had no idea what Stack felt. For him, it could be no more than any other hookup. Satisfying, but never enough to really hook him.

Sonorous breathing filled the room—hers and his.

Content with his weight over her, his rich scent enveloping her, Vanity hugged him. Minutes passed.

When he lifted his head to look at her, his crooked smile and mussed hair charmed her.

Tracing the line of his jaw, she asked, “What?”

“You.” He nudged against her, making her aware of the creamy wetness between her legs. “This.”

“What about me,” she asked, then rolled her hips. “What about this?”

His eyes darkened. “That happened too fast.” Taking her bottom lip in his teeth, he lightly tugged, licked and ended with a kiss. “I need more.”

Her heart rejoiced, and tears tried to sting her eyes.

She blinked them away and joked, “I blame you,” then watched his eyebrow arch at the accusation. “If you weren’t so freaking sexy, I could have held out longer.”

The corners of his mouth tipped up. “If that’s how we’re calling it, then I need to point out this body of yours.” He kissed her shoulder. “And your face.” His firm lips teased over her cheek. “And yeah—that smile right there.” He licked her mouth, then sank in for a toe-curling kiss. “I’m only human, you know.”

Vanity couldn’t have rid herself of the silly smile if her life depended on it. “Oh, really?”

He nodded, all slow and serious. “Smokin’ hot, darlin’.” Then, without even a hint of a smile, he whispered, “You breathe, and I want you. Laid out naked under me, making those mewling little sounds—”

“Hey!” She went to swat him, but he caught her wrists.

“—and holding on to me so tight...” He lifted her hands to his shoulders. “Yeah. I didn’t stand a chance.”

Obligingly, she curled her arms around his neck. “I don’t make weak sounds.”

“You make honest, real sounds, and I get off on it.” His hand went down to her hip. “How do you want to do this?”

“This?”

“I loved feeling you and only you.”

Love. Hearing that particular word from him sucked all the oxygen from her lungs, making her mute.

“But now we need to tidy up before I talk you into round two.”

Yes, yes, yes. Expression composed, she asked casually, “Round two, huh?”

His slow nod made her shiver. “Might turn into round three, or even round four.” He stroked down her side, over her hip, to her thigh. “What do you say?”