Page 69 of Duty and Desire

I couldn’t keep still; I moved beneath him, settling into a rhythm, a sensual rocking, pushing the slow-burning heat between us to ignite into something wild and untamed.

And when it did, my hands found purchase where they could, gripping his shoulders, his back, pulling him closer until no space existed between us. Gio’s breathing caught when I grazed his neck with my teeth, my fingers seeking more skin, more heat. A raw cry burst from his lips, and I knew I had the power to set him alight.

“Now,” I urged him, handing him the lube. My heart thumped ashe got both of us ready, and when I couldn’t wait anymore, I clutched his back, anchoring myself.

“Gio…”

He nodded. “Now.”

I never knew that one word could make my skin hot and cold at the same time.

His hands were on my thighs, and I spread for him. Gio stilled, his forehead pressed to mine.

“I’ll go slow.”

I managed a smile. “I’ll let you.” I slid my hands down his spine, my breathing ragged as I wrapped my legs around him, my heels digging into him, encouraging him. Gio kissed me, slow and deep, and I had to remember to breathe.

Then he was inside me, and breathing became a chore.

I’d imagined how it would feel. I’d played out the scene in my head many times, picturing this first sensual connection. I still wasn’t prepared for the intensity of my emotions, the way my body responded, every nerve alight.

His gaze locked on mine, his eyes wide. “Fuck, the way you feel…” The awe in his voice shook me, and a rush of pride surged through me.

This was beyond anything I’d imagined.

Gio held himself still, and I drowned in kiss after kiss, wanting more.

Needing more.

“Gio.” My heart fluttered. “Now would be good.”

His breathing caught, and a heartbeat later I moaned as he began to move, an easy, unhurried motion matching the undulation of my body. I stared into his eyes, transfixed by him, lost in his sighs, in the sensations flooding through me. I clung to him as we kissed, burning every second into my memory, relishing the pace.

And then we changed gear.

Our movements grew frantic, and what few words I could utter were nothing more than half-formed thoughts, his name punctuatedby the press of mouths and the scrape of teeth. My world shrank to our mingled breaths and the feverish tangle of limbs. There was urgency, heat, but it was more than this.

And when Gio shuddered, I held him tight, both of us damp with sweat, my body aching in a way I couldn’t wait to feel again and again. He kissed my cheeks, my lips, murmuring my name.

Telling me over and over that he loved me.

After, he lay curled around me, stroking his fingers down my arm, across my chest and stomach, a constant, soothing action that lulled me into a warm, dozy state.

“Are you okay?”

I smiled. “More than okay.” I chuckled. “It was better than fingers, by the way.”

He laughed, his body shaking. “There’s always room for fingers. Have you set your alarm?”

I widened my eyes. “I’m glad one of us has their head screwed on.” I grabbed my phone, switched it to silent mode, and set the alarm. “I’ll try not to wake you.”

Gio laughed again, but more softly this time. “That’s okay, I need to get up and write anyway. Will you be coming back here once you’ve finished for the day?”

“Yes.” My pulse quickened. “And when I do, there’s something I need to share with you.”

A conversation loomed, one I couldn’t avoid any longer.

“That sounds serious. Can you tell me now?”

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