Page 322 of Steamy Ever After

She smirked. “I asked my parents before we left, and they’re fine with it.”

“That isn’t what I meant, smartass. What about the baby?”

“It’s okay with her too.”

“Peyton…”

“If you don’t get in bed by the time I count to three, I’ll get out and make you.”

“Okay, but if you’re at all uncomfortable, say so, and I’ll sleep on the sofa.” He toed off his boots and lay next to her.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting in bed. Isn’t that what you told me to do?”

“No clothes allowed, Brodie.”

“Oh, yeah?” Brodie lifted the blanket covering Peyton up to her shoulders. “You’re naked. Have I told you that’s my favorite?”

She smiled. “It’s my favorite too. Now, lose the clothes.”

He rolled out of bed and pulled his shirt over his head.

She gasped when she saw the bruises and scars on his torso. “Brodie!”

“It looks worse than it feels, sweetheart.” He rested his body next to hers and wiped her tears away. “All I need to heal is you next to me.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You aren’t going to. I’m more worried about hurting you and the baby.”

Peyton moved into his arms and rested her head near his heart. “I’m sorry I’m so tired.” She sighed.

“Sleep, sweetheart.” He closed his eyes and felt her breathing even out. He couldn’t control his body’s natural reaction to having her naked and pressed against him, but within minutes, he felt himself drifting off to sleep too.

When Brodie woke, Peyton was kissing the soft area between his neck and shoulder. He gripped her hair and brought her mouth to his. “I don’t want to hurt you.” He groaned. “But, God, Peyton, I can’t hold back.”

“You won’t hurt me.” She pressed her mouth to his, kissing him harder.

Brodie gently moved her off him and pushed her down on the mattress. “Let me look at you. Are you cold?”

Peyton shook her head.

He started at her shoulder and kissed his way across her body, then lifted one of her breasts and closed his mouth over its pebbled nipple, nipping at it. When Peyton gasped, Brodie lifted his head.

“They’re very sensitive. Part of pregnancy,” she explained.

“I’ll be gentle, then.” He laved her with his tongue, rather than nipping.

“Don’t stop,” she pleaded.

“Never, sweetheart.” His lips trailed down her body to where her tummy protruded, then shifted farther, not stopping until he came to the apex between her legs.

“Can I kiss you here, Peyton?” He ran his fingers over her swollen sex.

“God, yes,” she said.

Brodie tried to be gentle, running his tongue softly through her delicate folds, but couldn’t ignore Peyton’s pleas for him to go deeper, harder. He settled between her legs and brought his mouth down to her again while his hands slid up her body, each grasping her full breasts. Her hands, which had been holding him so tightly to her, moved up to cover his. When he carefully kneaded her fullness, her fingers urged him to be rougher. Brodie heard her cry out and felt the wetness of her climax at the same time.

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