He knelt with one knee on the mattress, then hesitated. “Shit, no condoms.”

She hadn’t even thought about it. But there was no risk. “It doesn’t matter. I’m on the pill now. And I’m healthy. I haven’t been with anyone else.”

“Me neither, not since my last medical. You’re sure?”

She nodded.

“Thank Christ.”

He moved quickly then, as if scared she would change her mind, but nothing was stopping this. As he came over her, she lifted her legs, wrapped them around his lean hips, and pulled him to her. His hand moved between their bodies, and a moment later he was filling her, stretching her. His eyes were closed, but as he settled himself as deep as he could go, his lashes flickered open, and she saw gold flecks in the darkness. He held her gaze as he withdrew, the friction on her already-sensitive skin driving her wild. Her muscles tightened around him, drawing him back.

“That is the best feeling in the world.” He pulled back again. “You ready?”

She gave a nod, and he pulled out and slammed back in. Her hips pushed up to meet the thrust, and then he was moving on her hard and fast, shoving all rational thought from her mind with his strokes. Her world was reduced to nothing but the feel of his big, hard body filling her, driving her wild, chasing the doubts and the fears from her head. Each inward stroke pressed against her clit, and her orgasm was building again. She could feel the tenseness in his muscles as she gripped his shoulders, her nails digging in, her head falling back.

She sensed the moment he lost control, the exact second the pleasure burst inside her a second time, and he was pumping into her, eyes tight, teeth clenched. Then his back arched, and he came inside her, still thrusting as though he couldn’t stop, each movement sending ripples of residual pleasure surging through her.

Finally, he collapsed on top of her and rolled onto his side, pulling her with him.

Closing her eyes, she breathed in the scent of him while her heartbeat slowed and the sweat cooled on her skin.

She didn’t want to move. Didn’t want to say what had to be said.

She was drifting off to sleep when she heard the whispered words.

“I love you.”

And she bolted upright.