Page 66 of Summer Heat
I stilled her with hands on her hips. "Protection."
She raised a brow. "Do we need it?"
"I'm clean, and I've never gone without protection."
"I'm clean too. And on birth control. I think we're safe."
My heart burst into a thousand pieces. Pieces that she'd have to pick up and tape back together. I was hers now, whether she wanted me or not.
I loosened my grip on her hips, and she moved up, then slid down again, engulfing me in her sweet heat. The feel of nothing between us increased the intensity. It was too much. My heart was beating out of control, and every muscle in my body was strung tight.
My body ached with the effort to hold back. This was her show, and I wanted to enjoy every second of it.
I reached up to cup her breasts, reveling in the feel of their weight in my palms. Her nipples were hard points, and I knew by now that when I touched them, it drove her desperate with desire. I wanted to drive her wild. I wanted to make her come apart in the same way I had.
I wanted us to put each other back together.
Her movements were less smooth, jerkier as she continued to lift and lower herself over my length. I gritted my teeth against the urge to thrust from below.
"Shep," she whined softly, and I knew what she needed.
I rubbed her swollen clit and watched as her head fell back and the flush overtook her trembling body. While she was in the throes of her orgasm, I moved us so that I was on top and driving into her. I chased my release like a man possessed. I wanted to follow her into oblivion. Into that beautiful space between heaven and earth.
The one that transcended everything.
"Shep," she said again, her hand on my cheek as I gripped her thighs, thrusting harder. The orgasm took me by surprise, crashing into me with the force of a wave on the rocks. I thrust one more time deep and spilled into her.
She was slick with desire and my release. Her eyes were bright and her skin pink. I lowered my forehead to hers, our breath mingling as we came down from our highs.
"That was—" I said as I rolled to my side, not wanting to crush her.
"Incredible," she said simply, and I couldn't agree more.
I held her to me, not bothering to shove down the blankets or slide under the sheets. I was content to hold her in my arms, watching the fan swirl overhead.
Her breath evened out, and I didn't let myself think about what came next. I'd stay in the present moment, not daring to hope for more.
Chapter Eighteen
Kinsley
I floated through the next few weeks, attempting to be present at work. I shopped for materials and created designs for Shep's house on my lunch breaks. At home, we worked every night on the bathrooms.
I was also focused on the plans for the kitchen. Everything would need to be ordered so that the guys could renovate quickly.
At home, we flirted and stole kisses when Maya was out of the room. But we hadn't told her that we were anything yet.
I wasn't sure what the protocol was for something like that. Did I talk to her about it? Would she even understand?
She liked Shep, and she enjoyed living with him. But I had no idea if she'd have a problem with us seeing each other.
When Maya went to bed, we spent time on his rooftop deck and made love before I disappeared to my bedroom. I wanted to be there in case Maya needed me in the middle of the night. Not that she did unless she was sick or had a particularly bad nightmare.
I hated that we had to sleep in separate beds when Maya was here, but I wasn't sure about when to take the next step. Is that what he wanted, or did he enjoy this in-between relationship? We weren't together, at least not publicly or in front of Maya.
It was okay for now, but I wasn't sure how much longer I could continue with the ruse. Maya's bathroom was done, and she'd moved her toys from Shep's tub to her own. She adored her new bathroom, continually referring to it as her princess bathroom.
Shep had gifted her with new fluffy towels and a pirate ship that floated in the water. He did little things like that for her. But the best thing he did was spend time with her.
