Dane

Her head tipped back against the wall and she gasped, eyes wide. He knew she was learning that the feeling was new—different, because of the angle and the wall behind her. It took a moment until she could speak.

​​

"I don't… care…" she sighed as he rolled into her again and again. "Dane… I love you…"

He'd braced his elbow against the wall next to her head and tilted to deepen the kiss as he thrust again, swearing to himself, was he never going to gain control around her?

He blinked. Then shuddered and suddenly stopped himself.

She opened her eyes. "What's wrong?" she said, looking at him, worried. "Did you—"

"No!" He pulled back enough to meet her eyes, looking horrified—he wasn't that unhinged. "I just… want to do this right," he breathed. "Not against the wall in my closet." Then, before she could answer, he kissed her slowly, and without moving inside her. He was still ravenous for her, still desperate with an ache that surprised him. But now… now he could do this right. And that wasn't going to happen here. "I want to do this the way that's the best for you," he said.

"You are," she whispered when he started along her jaw. "You're perfect."

He shook his head, kissing her again. "You haven't seen anything yet," he promised, then pulled her away from the wall and walked her to the bedroom, still kissing her, one hand on her ass, the other cupping the back of her knee.

When they reached the bedroom, he didn't even slow, just walked her straight to the bed, whispered, "Hold on," and slowly lowered her to the quilt.

*****

Lila

She wasn't feeling cold anymore. He pulled out of her to position her on the bed and she felt the lack like she'd lost a piece of herself. But before long, he had her laid back on the pillows, her wet hair still twisted into the bun she'd tied it into for the bath. He stood next to the bed for a moment and she got to look at him.

He was… magnificent. His shoulders so broad she couldn't see past him as he leaned into the bed and crawled to her, those dips at his collarbones making her want to lick them. And his chest… she reached for him as he crawled over her, his hair falling into his eyes again. She brushed it back for him, but it just fell down again. He ignored it, staring at her, his eyes piercing with the light of his desire for her.

He was over her now, his hands braced on the pillows beside her head, his long body spread out, resting between her thighs. He looked so good she wanted to eat him.

"Do you know how much I love you," he said suddenly.

Lila blinked and nodded, suddenly not trusting her voice.

"You mean more to me than anything on earth, Lila. Including myself. I want you to be certain of that."

"I am," she whispered. "I feel the same way."

He shook his head, "I don't know what I did to deserve you," he murmured. "But I've never been so grateful in my life." He dropped his nose, his strong arms flexed to hold his weight as he dragged his nose along the line of her jaw. "Everything about you—your skin, your smell, your voice… it calls to me," he whispered. "Never leave me, Lila. Please."

Then he kissed her and Lila whimpered, a single tear tracking down her face as he entered her. Her mouth fell open and she grabbed for him. But he wasn't invading this time.

This time he was moving so slowly it threatened to unhinge her.

*****

Dane

There was a noise she made when he entered her that almost undid him, every time. Half-gasp, half-sob, it was as if she was overjoyed and about to climax, all in one breath.

He knew the feeling.

And he was determined, this time, to take his time and show her what they had beyond the passion and energy for each other.

Because it was love that was left. And he was going to worship at the temple of her, kiss his devotion into her skin, plead for her pleasure, touch her with the reverence she deserved.

So he curved one hand over her head, the other under the small of her back, and he pushed into her slowly, slowly, slowly, gasping with his own need for control, but almost crying at the look of sheer pleasure that overwhelmed her.

She clapped a hand to his neck and clung to his ribs, her mouth open but not breathing as he slid deeper and deeper, then pulled all the way out to start again.

Her head arched back, a silent cry on her tongue and he tasted her throat, nipping her skin, then kissing to soothe it. Then as she settled into the rhythm with him, he pushed himself up so he could stroke—her face, her neck, her breasts, her sides, her legs. His hands trailed everywhere, so, so lightly, raising the tiny hairs on her skin until she was trembling with the force of her own desire.

"Dane," she gasped. "I can't… I don't know how—"

"Lila," he groaned. "Look at me." Her eyes flew open and he held her gaze, still loving her with his body. "I love you. It will only ever be you." Then, as she stroked his face and chest, he pushed himself all the way up, so he knelt between her thighs. And as he pushed in, slowly, again, and again, he was finally able to see her, to touch her, to find the places that lit her up from the inside.

He paid careful attention to her breathing, her cries—what allowed her to relax, and what made her tighten around him.

And when he discovered the trick of dragging his thumb all the way from where they were joined, to the peak of her in time with his thrusts, he grunted with the clench and shudder she made in response.

She was close. So close.

His own control was shredded. He'd taken so much time, moved so slowly that his own flesh was on fire. And as she began to shiver and shake with the approaching wave, he swore and pulled one of her legs up to hook over his shoulder, leaned down to brace on the bed next to her and unleashed. With a groan, he let himself slam into her, then again, and again, and again, cries tearing out of his throat with every thrust.

"Only you, Lila," he rasped. "Forever."

"I love you, Dane!" she cried. "Don't stop!"

He bit his lip and pounded into her again.

She rocked and shuddered, calling his name as she arched and found her release in a wave that swept over him at the same moment, until they both collapsed, boneless and shaking.

There was a quiet, incredible moment of rest. Then she turned her head, tears in her eyes. She didn't speak, just stared at him, wonder and love in her eyes. And he knew his held the same. He took her chin in his hand and whispered, "I love you. Forever." Then kissed her, long, and deep.