“Fool around?” The words come out rough, edged with something too close to disbelief.

Before she can blink, I’m rolling her beneath me, pressing her into the mattress, my body caging hers. She gasps, but there’s no fear in those golden-brown eyes—just heat and need.

“You think that’s what this is?” I growl, leaning down until my lips brush the shell of her ear. “That I could be the kind of man who fucks a woman like it means nothing?”

Her breath hitches. She immediately shakes her head, and the tension in my limbs loosens.

“I’m not the type to fool around, Lily. When I find the one—” My thumb traces her bottom lip, and my tongue runs along my own. “—I settle. And you? There’s no question about it. You’re it.”

Her eyes widen, but a smile starts creeping in, slow and sweet and smug.

“So,” I murmur, dragging my knuckles down her throat, “question is—can you handle me? Knowing I won’t let go? Knowing our differences don’t mean shit to me?”

Her hands slide up my chest, fingertips tracing every ridge of muscle, every scar, like she’s relearning me. When they reach my jaw, she cups my face, her thumbs brushing over my stubble.

“Prove it,” she whispers, wiggling under me just enough to make my blood roar. “Show me how bad you want me.”

After last night, she should know that all she has to do is beg me for whatever she wants, and I’ll happily give it to her.

Right now, she’s playing safe. Avoiding the act carefully.

Little minx. Not that it matters. If she lights up as quickly as she had the night before, I won’t have to wait for long before she’s pleading for more.

I don’t hesitate. My mouth crashes down on hers, swallowing her gasp. Pressing my weight against her, her moan vibrates against my teeth.

I want to finish what we started. Make her mine.

9

Lily

Silas’s mouth is hot and demanding on my throat, teeth scraping just hard enough to make me shiver. He’s marking me, claiming me, like he wants the whole town to know I’m his.

I can’t lie, I love it.

Not only is this man the grumpiest giant I’ve ever met, but he’s also got a jealous and possessive side to him.

His hands push under my shirt, rough palms skimming up my ribs, and I arch into his touch before he even reaches my breasts. The fabric is gone in one impatient tug, tossed somewhere behind him, and then he’s just looking at me—eyes raking over my bare skin like he’s starving.

“Perfect,” he growls, his voice rough enough to send heat pooling low in my belly.

I huff a laugh, even as my cheeks flush. “Hardly impressive, actually.”

His gaze snaps to mine, sharp. “I love them.”

Silas doesn’t waste time before his mouth is on me, tongue circling one nipple in slow, torturous strokes before he sucks it deep.

A moan escapes from my throat as pleasure sparks straight down my spine, my toes curling against the sheets. His hand kneads my other breast, thumb brushing over the peak in time with the pull of his lips, and I swear I can feel it everywhere—like he’s lighting me up from the inside out.

“Silas—” I gasp, fingers tangling in his hair.

When he pulls off with a pop, he flicks his tongue against my other nipple and blows. “Will you let me inside, Lily? My fingers felt so good, but I want to give you more. Fuck,somuch more.”

My pussy flutters at the promise in his voice. Sounding so sure of himself, I don’t need to ask him what he has to offer. I can feel his cock throbbing against the thin strip of my panties. By now, I’m sure I’ve soaked the cotton all the way through.

If my arousal isn’t what does the trick, it’shisown wetting both layers, keeping us separated each time he grinds against me.

“I will,” I promise him, my words breathless. “Please…”