Page 20 of Price of Paradise

“My pleasure,” he murmured, as he began to pump in and out of her. His fingers found her clit again, only this time he didn’t stop his sweet torment until she’d reached that dizzying summit. Her body tightened as her body succumbed to theorgasm sweeping through her.

Gunner let go of the last thread on his control and went wild, driving and grinding his cock deep. With his arms surrounding her, keeping her beneath him, he gave his passion freedom.

Mae flexed her ass, and her muscles clamped down on Gunner’s cock.

“Jesus,” he said in a strangled voice. Three more hard thrusts and he erupted. Hot spurts of seed filled her ass.

When he collapsed on top of her, both of them exhausted and sweating, Mae sighed, as if utterly content with his much larger body wrapped around her, his cock still seated deep.

“I spanked you,” he admitted, wondering where the hell the idea had even come from.

Mae laughed. “I noticed.”

Gunner lifted, then pulled out of her. Instantly, he missed the deep connection. As he turned her over and took her chin in his palm, forcing her to look at him, Gunner asked, “did you like it?”

Her face reddened. “Maybe.”

Gunner grinned at her shy answer. “Uh-uh. I swatted your cute, little ass and you nearly came. Tell the truth.”

“Fine, I liked it.” She punched his chest. “But you pushed me to say things that I’m not ready for yet.”

He cocked his head to the side. “This started as a fun weekend, but it’s more now. Admitting that isn’t a bad thing.”

“Manipulating me is though.”

He dragged his knuckles down her cheek. “Yeah, well, I did tell you that I can be ruthless, remember?”

Mae rolled her eyes. “You could try apologizing.”

“I’ll apologize for taking so long to get my head out of my ass. I’ll apologize for taking you for granted. I won’t apologize for wanting to call you mine, Mae.”

“You waited until I was half-crazed with desire to bring it up. That’s the part you should feel bad about.”

Gunner leaned down and kissed her. His mouth crushed hers, claiming her all over again. “I’m sorry for pushing you, baby girl,” he murmured. “It’s our last day together and I’m feeling all kinds of desperation here.”

Mae sat up, dragging the blanket around her. “We need to tread carefully. Being here, away from reality, is putting ideas in our heads.”

“You think I’ll change my mind once we’re back home,” he concluded, moving around until he was leaning against the headboard next to her.

“I don’t know.” She sighed and swept a lock of hair away from her face. “We can’t rush to the end here. We need to think it through or one of us is liable to get hurt.”

Gunner could see Mae pulling away. Putting emotional distance between them. “Why do I feel like you’re giving me the brush off?”

“I’m not.” She bit at her bottom lip and glanced away. “It’s just that a hot weekend is a far cry from an actual relationship. And let's not forget I work for you. That adds a whole different layer to this.”

He took hold of her chin and forced her gaze back to his. “I know my own mind. I know what I want. Whether we’re in Florida or Ohio. Makes no difference to me.” He paused, then asked, “Question is, what do you want?”

She flung her hands in the air. “I don’t know and that’s the point! I need to figure that out.”

The panic in her eyes worried him. He’d thrown too much at her too fast. Mae had always been the type to think things through. Calculate the risks. She didn’t leap into things. He’d always admired that quality. Until now. He was so close to having everything he ever wanted and yet he forced himself toback off. If all he could have with Mae was her friendship, then it would have to be enough.

“Come here,” Gunner whispered, leaning close and grasping her around the waist before sitting her astride him. “I don’t want to spend what little time we have left here arguing.”

“Me neither,” she breathed out, resting her head against his chest. “I just need time, Gunner.”

“I get it, as long as you understand that I won’t give up.”

She lifted her head, a slow, sexy smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “I know.”

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