All my life I’d been sheltered. Maybe that was why I’d rebelled so hard. I didn’t want to be sheltered now. I wanted to be wild and free. I wanted to feel everything. I wanted, no needed for it to be this way the first time with him, and he seemed to sense that.
He placed his hands on my hips and guided me. I picked up the tempo, and my Hot Britches matched me stroke for stroke. He mumbled soft words, encouraging me, then reached up and caressed my breasts. That sent me soaring even higher. Dropping his hands back to my hips, he urged me on at an incredible pace and squeezed his eyes shut as though trying to hold onto his control.
“Please don’t! Look at me, Dylan.”
His eyes snapped open and locked onto mine. Blue fire blazed within them, and I lost control. “Fly with me, baby,” his husky voice growled, sending delicious shivers down my spine.
Whipping my head from side to side, I screamed his name at the same time that he yelled mine. He stiffened and squeezed my hips, and I arched my back. Shock waves rocketed through me as though the earth had opened up and swallowed me whole.
I fell to his chest, and my body quaked in the aftermath. For a single moment in time, we’d been as one. It would never be like this with anyone else. I was sure of it. Tears leaked out of the corners of my eyes for all I felt.
I didn’t say a word. I couldn’t.
Dylan didn’t, either.
Was he afraid to ruin the moment, too? He kept our bodies joined as he pulled the covers up over us, then slid his hands down my back and patted my insecurity. When he left his hand and cradled one cheek, I smiled, feeling a whole lot less insecure. He squeezed once more, then wrapped his arms around me and held me tight. He was with me, just me, and that was all that mattered. That was enough for now.
***
Rays of sunshine streamed in through the bedroom window, highlighting Dylan’s hair. My heart melted as I watched him sleep. Last night had been amazing. He had been incredible. We’d made love one more time, slow and tender. It had been just as mind-blowing as the wild and frantic lovemaking had been.
In between, we drank champagne and fed each other strawberries, but we seemed to have a silent pact--no talking about what was between us. Fine by me. I wasn’t ready for the fantasy to end, or to accept the reality that he would move on when he grew bored. And he would. They always did. He wasn’t anything like Bob, but he was still a man.
I’d told him about Bob, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell him about my project. Last night had nothing to do with research, but I knew he’d never understand. Call me selfish, but I wasn’t ready to let him go.
I pushed that thought to the back of my mind. Just because I got up at the crack of dawn didn’t mean he had to. Nature called, so I eased out from under his arm and slipped off the bed. When I returned from the bathroom, I watched him as I got dressed.
Dylan stirred, then reached out his arm with his eyes still closed. He patted the mattress, sweeping his hand across it, then frowned. He cracked one eye open and a slow grin hooked the corner of his mouth when he spotted me. “Morning.”
“Disappointed?”
“Never.”
So the fantasy would go on a bit longer. I could live with that. I smiled wide. “Hungry?”
“Starved.” His gaze ran over my body and heated.
“Eggs?” I licked my lips as I stepped out of my pants.
“No.” He pushed the covers below his belly button, then folded his hands beneath his head, his heavy-lidded eyes roaming over me.
“Pancakes?” I slipped my shirt off and stood in just my underwear and bra, goose bumps prickling over my skin.
“Nope.” He slipped one leg out, and the covers began to rise as a tent formed over his groin.
I wiggled out of my underwear and unhooked my bra, letting it fall to the floor. “Peaches?”
“Perfect.” He tossed the covers aside and held out his arms.
Note to self: Steamed zucchini and peach soufflé... best breakfast I ever had.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“A record contract. That is really awesome. You so deserve it,” I said as I stood in the living room of our apartment and helped Gloria pack her last box.
“You bet your ass, I deserve it. Honey, I’ve only been doing this since forever.” She grunted, shaking her head, and her chocolate curls fell in front of her shoulders as she filled the box. “I never thought it would take this long, you know?” She looked at me, her hand falling still. “Yet I still can’t believe it happened.” She grinned wide. “I’m gonna make an album. An actual album,” she squealed, jumping up and down.
I laughed and joined in, locking hands with her and spinning in a circle until we both were dizzy. We fell back on the couch, breathing heavy.