Page 68 of Cruel Expectations

Clasping him tight with her inner walls, she rocked faster, taking him in small pulses and then thrusting downward to take him all the way to the hilt.

He let out a rumbling groan that vibrated through her body too. Watching his rugged features contort in pleasure made her heart clench with even more love for this amazing man.

Forest’s friend. Her lover. The best friend who came at her out of nowhere and became her person.

He dropped his hands to her hips and seized them hard enough to leave marks. His hard touch turned her on even more, shot her high. She teetered on a precipice of bliss.

Then she leaned down and captured his mouth in a kiss to end all kisses. He let out a low grunt at the same moment hot spurts of cum filled her pussy. She took every inch, thrusting harder and harder, drawing out his release for long, mind-numbing seconds.

When her mind returned, she was lying on top of him, and he drew long lines on her spine with the tips of his fingers. Goose bumps rippled over her body. His stiff cock still filled her pussy.

“How did you make me love you in such a short amount of time?” Her whisper seemed loud in the quiet room.

“I’ve been asking myself that. I don’t have an answer…but I will say that you’ve made me happier than I ever thought possible, Ivy. I want you to know that I am here for you. You’ve been alone for so many years—I see that.”

Her throat clamped with emotion.

He saw that? She’d been so long ignored. Meadow and Forest leaned on each other, while they expected her to flit around like the family fairy. Go be Ivy.

They never took the time to learn who Ivy even was, even when she’d spent months in Europe discovering herself.

“You’re not alone anymore. I promise you—I swear, Ivy Gracey—that I will do everything in my power to make you happy for the rest of your days.”

She leaned her forehead against his, taking gulps to keep her tears at bay. A fat drop managed to escape and trail down her cheek. Hunter swiped it away.

She covered his hand with her own. “You can’t know how much I appreciate that you’ve been looking out for me. I…” She raised her gaze to his. “I keep thinking about that loan shark. How my dad looked when he answered the door.”

A shiver rippled down her spine. All her life, she’d thought of her father as being strong, the man in charge. The protector of home and family. But seeing the fear on his face picked up by that surveillance camera had her stomach dropping whenever it came to mind—which was often.

Too often.

For years and years, she’d shoved down all the bad things and tried to find some ray of sun in her life. But the instances weren’t just few and far between—they were made up to distract herself from the depression and sadness that hovered around her. She was the Gracey who slapped a smile on her face along with a smear of lipstick, and went on with her life.

Having Hunter see the true Ivy had shattered her armor. It left her vulnerable, broken, soft center exposed.

“Ivy—"

She cut across him. “And that man in the pond. Someone was killed on my family’s ranch, Hunter. You might be used to death and destruction, but I’m not!”

He dragged her close, tucking her head under his chin. The strength of his chest provided a safe refuge that she never wanted to emerge from.

“I won’t let you be alone. Ever.” His gritted promise had her eyes flooding with tears again.

She kept them wide so the droplets couldn’t fall. What good would they do her or anybody else? Hunter had experienced trauma too. His family had fallen apart after tragedy as well. She wasn’t special.

But he made her feel special—to him. The way he cradled her with so much love and tenderness left her breathless.

Tilting her face up, she searched his eyes. “Kiss me. Make love to me and erase the whole entire world except for us.”

“Oh, baby.” He kissed her. In a blink, the seeking need in their melded lips morphed to drugging, tongue-thrusting kisses.

He rolled her onto her back and pushed his body between her splayed thighs. When he pinned her in his stare, his power rippled over her. Then he gathered both of her hands in one of his and pinned them to the mattress.

Her insides coiled with need. The protector, the bad-boy SEAL, knew exactly what she needed, and right this moment, she needed to give up control. She may never let those tears fall, but she could give up some of her burden to Hunter.

With a soft cry, she surrendered to this strong and valiant man. Each stroke of his hard cock, the harder glint of ownership in his eyes…both stole her control.

She arched into him. Stole his low groans with her lips and fed him her own.

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