Page 42 of Charmed
His, she thought. She was his. And she moved against him with an instinct as old as time.
Deeper, he slipped deeper, filling her, rocking her toward that final crest. When she did cry out, her body shuddering, shuddering from the glory of it, he buried his face in her hair and let himself follow.
***
He watched the dance of light against the wall, listening to her heart calm and slow. She lay beneath him still, her arms around him, her hands stroking his hair.
He hadn’t known it could be like this. That was foolish, he thought. He’d had women before. More, he’d loved before, as deeply as anyone could. Yet this union had been more than he’d ever expected or experienced.
He had no way to explain it to her, when he was far from understanding it himself.
After pressing a kiss to her shoulder, he lifted his head to look at her. Her eyes were closed, and her face was flushed and utterly relaxed. He wondered if she had any idea how much had changed, for both of them, that morning.
“Are you all right?”
She shook her head, alarming him. Instantly concerned, he braced on his arms to remove his weight from her. Her lashes fluttered up so that he could see the smoky eyes beneath them.
“I’m not all right.” Her voice was low and throaty. “I’m wonderful. You’re wonderful.” The smile curved beautifully on her lips. “This is wonderful.”
“You had me worried.” He brushed the hair away from her cheek. “I don’t think I’ve ever been quite so nervous.” Her lips were waiting for his when he bent his head to kiss her. “You’re not sorry?”
Her brow arched. “Do I look sorry?”
“No.” Taking his time, he studied her face, tracing it with a fingertip. “You look kind of smug.” And the fact that she did brought him a rush of deep satisfaction.
“I’m feeling very smug. And lazy.” She stretched a little, so he shifted to let her head rest on his shoulder.
“Happy birthday.”
She chuckled against his throat. “It was the most … unique present I’ve ever been given.”
“The thing about it is you can use it over and over again.”
“Even better.” She tipped her head back, and now her eyes were solemn. “You were very good to me, Boone. Very good for me.”
“It wasn’t what I’d call an act of altruism. I’ve wanted this since the first time I saw you.”
“I know. It frightened me—and excited me, too.” She smoothed her palm over his chest, wishing for a moment that they could stay like this forever, cocooned together in the sunlight.
“This changes things.”
Her hand stilled, tensed. “Only if you want it to.”
“Then, I want it to.” He sat up, bringing her with him so that they were face-to-face. “I want you to be a part of my life. I want to be with you, as often as possible—and not just like this.”
She felt the old, niggling fear trying to surface. Rejection. Rejection now would be devastating. “I am part of your life. I always will be now.”
He saw something in her eyes, sensed it in the tension suddenly blooming in the room with them. “But?”
“No buts,” she said quickly, and threw her arms around him. “No ands. No anything now. Just this.” She kissed him, pouring everything she could into it, knowing she was cheating them both by holding back. Not knowing how to offer it and keep him with her. “I’m here when you want me, as long as you want me. I promise you.”
Rushing her again, he thought, berating himself as she clung to him. How could he expect her to be in love just because they had made love? He wasn’t even sure what he was feeling himself. It had all happened too fast, and he was riding on the emotion of the moment. He reminded himself, as he held Ana, that he didn’t have only his own needs to consider.
There was Jessie.
What happened with Ana would affect his daughter. So there could be no mistaking, no acting on impulse, and no real commitment until he was sure.
“We’ll take it slow,” he said, but felt a twinge of resentment when Ana immediately relaxed against him. “But if anyone else comes to your door bearing gifts or needing a cup of sugar—”
