Page 31 of Pound

“Fuuuuckkkk.” It was his turn to breathe the word. He retreated before slipping back into her. A little harder than before, but not as hard as he wanted.

“Harder. Faster. Stop holding back. I need you to fuck me like you want to, not like someone forced you to, Pound.”

She looked at him like she had earlier. “You won’t break me. But if you hold back, you will.”

She wasn’t ready for all of him, was she? He would concede to the harder, faster, and fuck her like he wanted her because he did.

Pound lifted one knee over his shoulder. “Does this hurt?”

“No.”

Pound slammed into her and watched for any sign of obvious pain. When she showed none, he did it again and again. Fuck, she was perfect.

He set a punishing rhythm and she met him with equal enthusiasm. “Harder.”

He obeyed. He pummeled into her until he was riding the edge himself. Which stunned him, but he could visit that issue later. He needed to make sure she came for him again. Reaching between them, he thumbed her clit in fast, tight circles, and she came all over his cock with his name on her lips.

“Oh god, yes, Pound,” she moaned and shuddered.

Pound’s hand went to her throat without thought. When he tightened his hand around her neck, her hazel eyes didn’t reflect fear. Thank God.

Her body rippled around his as her orgasm continued. He slammed into her hard and rolled his hips against hers with shallow thrusts. In seconds, he emptied his body into hers.

Before collapsing, he had the presence of mind to lean to the side, but just barely. Not only had she drained his balls but also his energy. His mind, however, was reeling. He’d come without violence, either dealt or received. That was a rare occurrence.

Was it her? Was it because they were raw, both physically and emotionally? He didn’t know. What he did know was that he liked it and hoped it was his new normal. Not that they couldn’t explore, but he didn’t want to need it.

“Pound, that was amazing. Thank you for making me forget about the last week and for helping me remember who I can be.”

He gathered her close. As sweet as her words had sounded, he wanted to hear his real name when they were in bed and when she was praising him.

“When we’re alone, you call me Joe. Your Joe.”

8

MERI

Meri had been slipping into sleep when he spoke.

Joe.

Joe.

Joe.

She gulped. It couldn’t be.

No.

What were the odds? Anna had spoken like Meri knew Joe.

Could it be? Anna wouldn’t bring out the worst in anyone.

Her thoughts were flying through her head like a swarm of birds. Diving and dropping questions before rejoining the flock and circling some more.

The questions just kept coming. To the point she thought she might choke on them.

Pound’s strong arms were wrapped around her. He’d drifted into a soft sleep almost immediately after he said his name.

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