Sophie wrapped her hand around him, eliciting an appreciative groan from Grady. A thought occurred to him. “Please tell me you have protection.”
“In the bathroom,” she said, pointing back toward the hallway.
Grady slid off the bed, turning back to her briefly. “Don’t you dare move a muscle.”
It was too late to change her mind, Sophie realized. She wanted this. No. She needed this.
Grady was back in seconds, carrying the entire box of Trojans with him. Sophie couldn’t stifle her giggle. “Feeling pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
“I just want to be prepared,” Grady said, grabbing one of the condoms from the box and ripping the wrapper off with his teeth. “We’ve got the whole day, after all. We’re going to need more than one.”
Once the condom was secure, Grady moved his hands under Sophie’s rounded behind and shifted her up on the bed until her head was resting against the pillows. He lowered himself to her slowly, trying to regain the fervent feeling from minutes before.
It wasn’t hard.
They were groaning and grinding against each other within seconds. Grady ran his hands up and down her thighs, forcing them wider. He positioned himself between her legs, pushing forward.
His size was impressive. His restraint was even more impressive, Sophie realized. He was going slow. Letting her get used to him. Letting her feel him. She cupped her hand around his neck, pulling his mouth back to hers. He entered her at the same time their tongues met, both of them moaning when he managed to slide all the way home.
Their movements were slight at first, jerky. They found their rhythm quickly, though, and Grady slid in and out of her at a medium pace. Sophie’s hands clutched at Grady’s back as he surged, tingles boiling in her belly.
Grady held on until he was sure she was coming, her fingers digging into his shoulders and her ardent cries of relief serving as the only hint he needed that she’d cruised over the edge. Then he joined her in the abyss.
They laid together after that, running their hands over each other in exploration, sharing a few soft and whispery kisses as their bodies melded. At a certain point, they did it again, more slowly this time. Then they did it again. And again. And, yes, then they did it again.
Fifteen
Morning light filtered in through the blue curtains, casting a shadowy pall over the room. Grady stirred, his body tired and sore – but in a good way. Next to him, Sophie was motionless.
He curled up behind her, running his hand over her naked back. He didn’t think he could muster the energy to go another round – but he was debating rising to the challenge, so to speak. They’d spent almost eighteen straight hours in bed – only taking a handful of breaks for nourishment.
Over the intervening hours – between rounds – they’d talked. Grady was even more infatuated with her now than he had been the previous day, if that was possible. She was funny, engaging, and oh-so sexy. She was also guarded, a stance he understood.
Sophie stirred next to him, stretching. She met his gaze with a sleepy one of her own. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
“What time is it?”
“It’s almost seven.”
Sophie shifted her hand over her mouth to hide a yawn. “I need to run to the office.”
That wasn’t what Grady wanted to hear. “Why?”
“I need to grab a few things,” she said. “I have a few more files there. It’s not a big deal.”
“I’ll go with you,” he offered.
“Why?”
“To make sure you’re safe.”
“I’m a big girl, Grady,” Sophie laughed, sitting up and sliding her legs over the edge of the bed. “I can run my own errands.”
Grady was confused. “I didn’t say you couldn’t. I just thought … .”
“What? That we would be joined at the hip now?”
Grady didn’t reply. Actually, he wasn’t sure how to reply. Was that what he was expecting?
“You have a job to do,” Sophie reminded him. “So do I. We’re working together. You’re not my boss.”
“I didn’t say that,” Grady protested. Her attitude was starting to grate.
“This isn’t a relationship, Grady,” Sophie said. “It was … a nice time. A very nice time, don’t get me wrong. I’m not stupid, though. I know what this was for you. It’s a fling. I’m fine with that. It is what it is.”
Grady frowned. She was being purposely cold. He’d done the same thing many an uncomfortable morning after over the course of the past few years. For some reason, her flippant response to eighteen of the best hours of his life was like a dagger to the heart. “Fine.”