Her eyes fell shut in complete satiation and when she collapsed weakly against Zan, she knew without a doubt she would never be the same. Nothing and no one could replace the man trembling behind her, holding her upright even as he gasped for breath, spreading his own legs for support. She floated on sweet sensation, feeling limp and lazy, and so very relaxed she could sleep for a week.
Chapter Nineteen
“Shit.” Her eyes popped open at Zan’s soft curse. Not something a woman wants to hear after mind-blowing sex.
“What?” Did he hurt himself? Maybe his ribs hadn’t completely healed. She knew he’d come, she’d felt the hot pulse of semen inside her.
Every limp muscle coiled and snapped back, taut. Well hell.
Zan gingerly pulled out and she turned, gaping down at his bare flesh. No condom.
A chill went through her. Double hell.
“Jackie. I didn’t mean...” She yanked her gaze from his groin to his stricken face, his eyes never wavering from hers in the ensuing silence.
A dominant male shifter might do just about anything to keep his mate, but Zan would never try and get her pregnant to tie her to him. While he might have bit her—again—to stake a claim, and yes maybe coerce, fib, seduce, and charm her, she knew in her heart of hearts that he’d never attempt to bind her to him in that way. He had too much pride, and knowing she’d stay with him because of a child and not because she wanted him would only gnaw at that pride until he’d come to hate himself, and her.
Wanting to comfort, she laid her hands on his chest and petted him through the material of his shirt. “I know Zan. Besides, there were two of us. We both got carried away.”
He searched her face a moment and, apparently satisfied by what he saw, dropped his chin in a stiff nod. Pulling her into his arms he pressed his lips against her temple, soft, soothing. Her hands crept around his waist, needing his embrace and his warmth, and let out a soft sigh. At the moment, she couldn’t let herself worry about what may or may not result from their frantic coupling. She had enough on her plate.
Minutes passed in silence before the imagery of the situation hit her and her lips twitched. While she was buck naked, her wet hair plastered to her neck and back, Zan was completely clothed, his jeans down around his thighs.
“Why is it that when we come together, I’m usually naked and you’re not?”
He groaned. “Because I’m an ass and too damn hungry for you.” He nibbled lightly at her neck, causing arousal to spark anew in her belly. Before she lost herself again, she pinched his butt.
“Ow.” Like she really hurt him. He was tough as steel under all that smooth skin.
Hmmm. She rubbed the palm of her hand over the little hurt, fascinated as thick muscles jumped under her touch. Very, very nice.
“What was that for?” He nipped the tip of her ear, and she got the feeling he was somehow pleased with her.
Withdrawing her hands from his delectable butt, she placed them on his chest and gave him a light but determined push. “I need to clean up so take your,” she paused to give him a smirk, “ass outta here and give me a few minutes.”
“Jackie.” Zan caressed her jaw with the pads of his fingers, as if he couldn’t not touch her.
She allowed herself to lean into his touch. Briefly. Then once again pushed him away. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
After a thoughtful stare in which Jackie wasn’t sure if Zan would give in to her request, he hitched up his jeans, brushed his lips over hers and left the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Knowing he wouldn’t remain patient for long, Jackie made short work cleaning up and wrapping the forgotten towel around her before opening the bathroom door.
In the bedroom, Zan was pacing, reminding her of herself only hours ago. He sent her another one of his scorching looks before he forced his gaze away. With a bit of haste, Jackie donned clothing, feeling self-conscious and simultaneously an idiot for feeling that way. Not only had Zan seen her naked, he’d been more up close and personal to nearly every inch of her body then she could ever possibly achieve. Yet there was just something so intimate about having him watch her dress, which she knew he was doing even though her back was too him. The pacing had stopped and she could feel the weight of his lusty green eyes.
When she was clothed in light-weight pants and a russet-colored short-sleeved top, she turned to face him. For a moment they just stared at each other, Jackie with the arousing sensation that she was being eyed by a wild beast who saw her as desert.
Which wasn’t much of a stretch.
“Very nice.” Since she’d been thinking the exact same thing about his naked tush only minutes earlier, she rolled in her lips to keep from smiling. “Though not as nice as what you wore in the shower.”