Page 80 of Every Beat of My Heart

His jaw tight, he pushed inside. The sheer size of him stole my breath. I squeezed around him, and he groaned. But then he moved, and I was lost in the sensation of being with him.

He thrust in slow and contained movements, but I wanted Jameson to lose control. I wasn’t something precious to be handled like glass. I wanted the full experience.

“Let go.”

Jameson lowered his mouth to mine, kissing me with abandon.

I clutched his ass, pulling him deep inside of me. He was everything I’d ever wanted.

With his body pressed against mine, his pelvis rubbed against my clit with every pass. Another orgasm built inside me, threatening to be bigger than the last one.

He ripped his lips from mine, easing back to touch me with his fingers. He pressed on my clit, and I bucked underneath of him, the pleasure flowing in waves. I was briefly aware of him groaning and releasing into the condom, but I was too blissed out to register much other than the feel of his slick skin against mine, and the sheer weight of him, pressing me into the mattress.

After a few seconds, he shifted to the side, then off the bed to take care of the condom. I heard the running of the water in the hall bathroom, but I couldn’t move.

The next thing I knew he was cleaning me with a warm washcloth, then tossing it aside. The bed dipped as he moved behind me, gathering me to him.

He was warm and comforting, and I never wanted to leave this position.

Before I could let the doubts surface, he kissed my shoulder. “Sleep,” and that was all it took for me to relax in his arms and drift off.

CHAPTER 17

JAMESON

Claire fell asleep quickly, but I lay awake with her body nestled against mine, wondering how I’d ever gotten this lucky. This woman trusted me with her body and her emotions. It felt like too much.

Any moment, she’d wake up and tell me this was a mistake or merely a fun time, and we’d go back to being just friends.

Why couldn’t I have it all? Something like what Cole and Daphne, and Aiden and Fiona, had experienced. A love that could last a lifetime.

The words of my brothers over the years filtered through my head: I was too immature, I didn’t know what I wanted, and I was afraid of commitment. Was any of what they’d said to me over the years true?

I wanted to protect the community and make a difference. We were motivated by the same desires, we just took a different path when it came to careers. Maybe it took me a little while longer to get there, but I was here, living out my dream.

I must have drifted off at some point because the next thing I knew, there was light streaming through the window. But the sheets next to me were cool. Then the scent of bacon cooking reached me.

Not wanting to waste a second of this time with Claire, I quickly pulled on my sweats and brushed my teeth, then headed toward the kitchen where I knew she’d be.

A smile spread over Claire’s face when she saw me. “Morning, sleepyhead.”

She turned toward me as I approached, my hand diving into her hair as I leaned down to kiss her softly. “I was supposed to cook you breakfast.”

When I pulled back, Claire shrugged. “I was up early. Force of habit.”

The bacon was sizzling on one pan and eggs cooking in another. I turned Claire so that she was facing the stove and kneaded the tension in her shoulders. “You aren’t freaking out, are you?”

“Me? Of course not.” She turned slightly so she could see my face.

“Uh-huh.” I wasn’t sure I believed her. “What are you worried about?”

Her expression was concerned. “What this means.”

“It means whatever you want it to mean,” I said lightly, even as I held my breath. I’d follow her lead on this.

Claire turned in my arms, wrapping hers around my neck. “I like being here with you.”

I couldn’t resist pulling her against me and holding her there with an arm around her back. “I want more mornings like this too. How about we go with the flow and see what happens?”

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