“Mmm,” he grunts. “Sorry.” He moves his hips away. “You were kicking the sheets and whimpering, so I came to rescue you.”

“Rescue me?”

“As soon as I laid down next to you, you stopped.” His groggy voice sounds only half alert.

I take stock of the situation. Other than roasting due to how much heat Cade is throwing off, I feel so safe encapsulated in his arms like this. Like his body is a shield, a suit of armor.

His muscles relax again, and his hips move forward, once again poking me. I’m not too naïve to realize he has a morning erection, but I am naïve enough to freak out that I’ve never felt an erection, never mind a morning erection.

Heat pools in my center, and my breathing comes in short pants. The air feels heavy with innuendo and purpose. I could run away like I normally would—maybe tell Cade to back off—but it’s so warm, so safe, and I kind of like the need pulsing through me right now.

I’ve never been this close to someone in this way before, and a surge of bravery rears up. Cade’s muscular front brushes against my spine with his even breaths. If I think about it like a science experiment, I wonder what would happen if I shift back.

Suddenly, the only thing I want to know is the size of Cade Farmer’s dick.

I move, slowly at first, then once again with more purpose. He moans in his sleep, his strong arms tightening around me. I feel more of him, but I still don’t feel it all.

I angle my hips backward again, riding up his length, then down. I bite my lip to keep from moaning myself. Heat expands between my legs, but still, Cade hasn’t stirred.

I do the same thing again, taking my time, sliding my ass against his cock until I lift too far and his dick catches at the apex.

“Sunshine,” Cade breathes. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing,” I squeak out, trying to scramble away, but he holds on, his leg looping around mine to keep me in place along with his cage-like hands.

We lie there, my heart still pounding in my ears. There’s a tiny bit of shame and embarrassment that he caught me grinding on him, but that’s overpowered by desire.

“Did you feel something you liked?”

This can’t be happening. I can’t. I’m not?—

“Was it this?” Cade shifts forward, his cock harder now, running up my backside. “It’s the consequences of sleeping next to a beautiful girl all night.”

“Don’t…”

“It’s about time you saw yourself clearly because I guarantee you I’m going to rub my dick raw with thoughts of you for many nights to come.”

His words only make my arousal worse. Or better, depending on how you look at it. My hips move ever so slightly of their own volition, as if they know how to seek out what they want before I can make the conscious decision.

“Talk to me, Charley.”

“You’re in my space,” I sigh out.

“You like it.”

God, he has no idea. Especially this. I’m overpowered by him. I don’t get touched—period—let alone like this. Every fantasy I’ve ever had plays out in my head. Sometimes, when you have a life like mine, that’s all you get. But this is one come to life.

“If you need me, just ask.”

“I don’t think you know what you’re asking,” I say breathlessly, my fingers tingling with the need to touch myself.

“Fine, I’ll tell you what I would need.” He grabs my hips, strong fingers sinking into my flesh. He pumps against my body, his movements slow, languid. “A few more minutes like this and I’ll come in my boxers like a teenager.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that,” he says, his fingers slowly making their way to my front.

Paralyzed with anticipation, I don’t tell him to stop. I don’t want him to, but at the same time, I’m torn. “I’m not like those other girls,” I force out.