Page 48 of With this Ring

How the hell had he stayed away from her for so long?

Maybe, just maybe, avoiding her had something to do with the risks he’d been taking since the night he’d first tasted her forbidden deliciousness.

Fucking her—making love—might be a nail in his coffin, something he’d never recover from, but he was no longer capable of giving a fuck.

He brushed a knuckle across her trembling lower lip. “Stay in the bed, Petal.”

Blinking sleepily, she said, “I’m not sure I have the energy to do anything else.”

For a minute, he left her to wash his hands and to grab a cool washcloth.

He returned to find her rolled onto her side, watching him.

“On your back,” he said softly. “And spread your legs.”

She blew out a small breath as she complied.

Such an amazing submissive, exactly the way she’d behaved in his vivid and constant dreams.

His eyes locked onto hers, he pressed the damp material against her heated pussy.

“That’s cold!” She wiggled, trying to get away, but he clamped a hand around her ankle, holding her steady. “Is this necessary?”

Goose bumps traced up her arms.

“Yeah. It’ll soothe.” He paused. “I don’t want you too sore. This night is just getting started.”

Even while wrinkling her nose in distrust, she sighed.

A few moments later, the temperature warmed, and she relaxed.

“You really are a good girl, Petal.”

She looked at him.

“Mygood girl.”

“Gregorio…” Sasha reached a hand up to trace her fingertips down his jawbone.

After removing the cloth, he tossed it toward the closet, then he grabbed one of the condoms. “Do you want this, Sasha?”

Much as it would kill him if she denied him, he respected her choice.

“Yes.” Nodding, she whispered, “I do.”

Her beautiful, breathless response made his cock throb even harder.

Being with her was even more spectacular than he’d imagined—and over the years he’d imagined plenty. Even when he had no business thinking about her.

“Earlier you said you wanted to touch me.” Standing next to the bed, he offered her the small, foil-wrapped package. “Put it on me.”

Her gaze flicked to his face, then back to the condom. “I’ve never done this before.”

“Then it’s about time you learned, isn’t it?”

Tense silence hung between them.

“Having you do little things like this for me brings me pleasure.”

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