Page 46 of Gwen's Delta
Fuck.He was almost thirty-six years old. No way would he have believed he’d come twice in one night, let alone three times.
As he drifted off, he told himself it would only be a few moments. But when he opened his eyes, it was zero three hundred. Gwen had flung her arm over his chest and her leg rested across his thigh. A rustling sound made him tense as he checked his surroundings. Two golden eyes watched him from the foot of the bed. He’d forgotten about the cat. At some point, Galahad had joined them. Gwen hadn’t been kidding about his purr. The cat sounded like a motorboat. It amazed him she could sleep through it.
Merlin eased Gwen’s arm off his chest and slid out of bed, hoping not to wake her. After finding his jeans and pulling them on, he turned to find Galahad had already taken his place next to the sleeping woman. His bare feet didn’t make a sound as he padded to the kitchen to find something to drink. Taking a glass from the cabinet, he poured a glass of water and then stood in front of the French doors in her living room, staring out into the star-filled sky.
It was too early to call the guys, but he’d have let them know he wouldn’t be making PT. He couldn’t bring himself to leave Gwen, especially while she was sleeping.
“What’s wrong?” Her soft, sleepy voice startled him.
Again, Gwen had snuck up on him. Always on guard, checking his six was second nature. Yet she’d snuck up on him twice. Not even the team could pull that off, and they’d tried countless times. It didn’t make sense.
He turned to answer her, and his breath caught in his throat. The muted light from the full moon made her look angelic. She’d put on his T-shirt, and her bare legs peeked out from under it. Lust slammed into him. He wanted to pick her up and carry her back to bed.
Merlin swallowed his need. The woman had to be sore. “Nothing at all, princess. I’m sorry if I woke you.”
‘You didn’t. The cat did. Then I realized you were gone.”
“Figures. He’s a loudmouth.”
Gwen giggled. “Yes, he is. I’ve never had a cat who purred like him. It’s like he’s got an amplifier inside.” She pulled Merlin over to the sofa, and as they sat, she curled into his side.
It should have felt awkward. They barely knew each other. But it was like he’d come home. Merlin kissed her forehead and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her even closer. “Are you okay? I tried to be gentle, but…”
“I’m a little sore.” Even in the semi-darkness, her smile filled him with sunshine and took his breath away. “I hope it was okay. It’s been a while for me, and I haven’t had a lot of experience.”
“It was amazing; you were amazing. I think you’re magical. I don’t know how we would have made love three times in one night if you weren’t magical.”
“You’re silly. Don’t you usually?”
“No, princess, men my age are lucky for once. Twice, and we’re celebrating. You take my breath away.”
“You take mine away too. It just… I don’t know, feels like I’m supposed to be with you. You probably think I’m crazy.”
He wondered if Gwen realized she was rubbing his thigh as she spoke.
“I don’t think you’re crazy. There is something here. Something different. Like fate intervened. First, I’m transferred to Fort Hood, then I find the bookstore, and when I get there, I’m instantly bewitched by the glorious redhead behind the counter. It might as well be a fairy tale.”
“I did tell you my family loves the Arthurian legends.”
Merlin laughed as his heart squeezed in his chest. “Yes, you did. But my name isn’t Arthur, so I’m probably not your true love.” Then he pretended to pout, his lip jutting out.
She chuckled. “I’m not waiting for Arthur—that’s my dad. I’ve been waiting for my white knight, but something tells me I was waiting for a wizard instead.”
Pulling her onto his lap, he wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. If he kissed her, it would lead to more, and she needed time to recover.
Gwen snuggled closer, and her fingers played with the hair at the nape of his neck. With her, everything was different. But these deep feelings were happening too fast. They hardly knew each other, so why did he feel like he was at least half in love with her? He was the king of surveying every scenario before reaching a conclusion. Yet he’d just made love with a woman he’d met three days ago, and it felt like he’d known her his entire life.
“Are you sure you didn’t put a spell on me?” Merlin asked, keeping his voice light so she’d know he was teasing.
“I think I should ask you that question. You’re the wizard.”
“That I am, but my spells have never been successful.”
“Apparently, you’re improving,” she said and giggled against his chest.
He burst out laughing. Gwen came off as a bookworm, but there was so much more to her.
They snuggled and chatted as the night sky became pre-dawn. He listened to her tell him stories from her childhood and pictured them in the future with a couple of kids running around…maybe a dog. Sir Galahad wouldn’t like that much, but he’d have to learn to deal. In the evenings, they could cuddle and read in his library.
