Page 16 of Devastate Me

Next week she would face the two men who’d attacked her at their arraignment hearing. She wanted to look them both in the eyes and let them see that she was not afraid of them.

Ophelia’s gaze went to the spot on the floor in her bedroom where she’d been found, and then she looked to Colt as he filled the doorway. God, he was gorgeous, and he was all hers. That fact still made her smile, and she held out a hand to him.

“You okay?”

“Yes. I was just reliving the incident, remembering that you and Noah saved me. I’m alive and well, thanks to you both.”

He gathered her in his arms, and she buried her face against his throat. She had no desire to move from his arms, and if she could have, she would have stayed there forever.

“Do you want me to stay with you tonight?” he asked. He pressed his lips to the crown of her hair. “I can stay on the couch.”

“Yes, I’d like that, but you won’t be on the couch.” The soft press of their bodies reminded her of how much she wanted him. It had been a cruel twist of fate that she’d had one day with him before being hurt so badly in the attack.

She lifted her head. “Colt?”

He looked down at her, one hand threaded through her hair in a way that felt wonderful. “Hmm?” He was always doing that, finding sweet little ways to keep his hands on her. She felt loved. She feltdesired.

“Will you take me to bed?”

“Sweetheart, I don’t think—”

“Just go slow and I’ll be okay. Please. I just need to be with you.”

His warm hazel eyes were shrouded with uncertainty and his dark hair feel across his forehead making him look bashful and charming in a way she’d never expected from her fierce neighbor. She bit her bottom lip and looked up at him. “Don’t make me beg.”

“But I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t—I’m a tough cookie.”

“That you are. Should we go to my house?” He looked to the spot where he’d found her on the floor.

“No, here. I want to replace the bad memories with good ones.”

“Okay, but if you need to stop at any time, you tell me.”

He pulled off his shirt, and she slipped out of her sandals. Ophelia unbuttoned her blouse and slipped out of her shorts and panties, then removed her bra as he finished kicking off his boots, socks, and jeans. She sat on the bed completely naked, and he joined her. His gaze swept over her, his desire making his eyes as warm as melted honey.

“You’re so beautiful and so brave. You know that, don’t you?” He cupped the back of her head for a slow, deep kiss that made her toes curl.

“Am I?” she asked. She traced his collarbone with her fingers, and his lips curved into a smile that was half hidden beneath his beard.

“Braver than anyone I know.”

He leaned in to kiss her again, and the sweetness of that kiss burned her in the best way. She was wild for Colt, more than any man she’d ever been with, and yet it wasn’t just desire she felt. She had a feeling that the quiet, calm depths of her affection for him was something infinitely more, like love. For too long she’d been letting herself live a reserved life, even with the men in her past relationships. Now, she did indeed feel brave.

“Colt.” She curled her arms around his neck and pulled him down so he covered her body with his.

“Yeah?” He swept his eyes over her with a wistful expression as he cupped her face. His thumb brushed over her cheek as she parted her thighs and he settled between them.

“I think I’m falling in love with you.”

There, she’d done it. She’d exposed herself and left her heart wide open.

“I think I am too, with you,” he replied, his voice a little rough. “I didn’t want to, not after my last relationship, but I couldn’t help myself. And I don’t regret that for a minute.” His body heat seeped into her, and she wound her arms around his back, holding him close as he kissed her again.

They made love, slow and tender and yet with intensity and passion. Ophelia felt a radiant light glowing inside her. Their breaths mixed in silent intimacy, broken only by soft sighs and the sound of their skin sliding against the sheets. Even being gentle, Colt still managed to overwhelm her with his sensual intensity. He left no part of her unexplored, no part of her unkissed. She giggled as he searched for the ticklish spots behind her knees and just below her arms along her sides. His responding chuckle of delight to her reactions was music to her ears. It was a gift to have a partner to share sweet moments like this with. She’d always wanted that but had never truly experienced it before.

When he finally entered her, she was trembling with need and quiet euphoria. This was no frantic coupling. It was measured and slow, but no less powerful than the first time they had come together.

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