Page 106 of Starcrossed Colorado

I tipped my head back and laughed. Even though he wasnotwrong.

I’d learned that Ashford’s sense of humor came out whenever he was at ease. I loved that he felt that way around me. I could be myself with him too. I’d never had this intense a connection with a lover before.

When I was in Ashford’s arms, everything seemed easy.

We kissed until we were both aching again. Desperate. Ashford slid his cock inside me, our bodies meeting like we were made for each other. But he took a more gradual pace this time. Driving us both slowly and deliberately to the edge.

“Please,” I begged, angling my hips to meet him on every thrust, but still needing more. What only he could give me.

His brown and amber eyes held more passion than ever as he gazed down at me. “Tell me what you need.”

“Don’t stop. Don’t let me go.”

“Never, baby. You’re mine.”

But I had meant more than just the heat of this moment. More than something physical. Because, as I stared into hiseyes, what I felt was suddenly so clear. Even if I didn’t have the courage to say it.

I need you to love me, I thought.Because I’m in love with you.

Morning light glowed in the windows, slowly nudging me awake. I felt Ashford beside me. His breathing was smooth and regular. But when I opened my eyes, I found him already awake and watching me.

“Morning,” he said, voice scratchy. A yawn stretched the end of the word. We hadn’t gotten much sleep.

I snuggled against his bare skin. “Hi.”

“First time I’ve ever woken up next to you naked.” Ashford shifted, and his half-hard cock bumped my hip. “You had enough yet?” The amber in his eyes sparked, and he smiled.

“Not yet.”

He rolled me onto my back and kissed me. A short while later, he was moving inside me again. Insatiable. But I felt the same.

More, more, more.

Afterward, we showered. We were both sated for the moment, so our kisses and wandering hands were purely affectionate. But I still couldn’t get enough. We stood under the spray, arms around each other. I rested my cheek on the swell of his pec beneath his collarbone. He touched the back of my head, smoothing my wet hair.

“Hard to believe you’ll be gone in a few weeks.”

I looked up at him. “It is. The summer’s going too fast.”

“Maisie’s going to miss you.”

I smiled, even though I was shrinking inside. I adored Maisie, but how didhefeel about me going? “I’ll miss her too. And you. I…” The words got lost on their way out.

“I am going to miss you so damn much.” Ashford’s voice was just as thick as mine. Which gave me a sliver of encouragement.

“I could visit sometime. If you’d want.”

“Yeah. Of course I want that.” He cupped my face. Searched my eyes with his. “Emma…”

I held my breath. Aching to hear the words I couldn’t manage to say myself.

“Do you hear that?” he asked.

“What?”

Ashford twisted the shower valve. The sound of a phone ringing filled the quiet. “My phone.” He got out, wrapping a towel around his waist and tossing another to me on his way out of the bathroom. I followed, water streaming from my hair and down my shoulders as I held the towel to the front of my body.

He grabbed his phone from the dresser. “It’s my sister.” Putting the device to his ear, he said, “Grace? Everything okay?”

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