Page 9 of Rugged Courage

Cece moaning my name intensifies my need for her. I can’t hold back any longer.

I hover above her, locking eyes with her as she lies under me, her gorgeous body begging to be worshipped. “You’re absolutely beautiful, Cece,” I tell her, my voice rough with desire.

“Dane,” she gasps, clutching at the sheets beneath her. “I need...I need you.”

Hearing those words, I rise, positioning my aching cock against her pretty pussy. I lock eyes with her. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” she breathes, pulling me closer.

With that word, I push inside her. She’s tight and warm, her walls fluttering around my cock. My chest rumbles with a low groan. This is what heaven feels like. Nothing has ever felt as perfect as her body moving with mine.

Her hands dig into my back, fingernails biting into my skin, sending sharp jolts of pleasure coursing through me. She wraps her legs around my waist, and I groan as I thrust deeper.

Cece lifts her hips and urges me into a faster rhythm. She moans as I move faster and deeper inside her, her mouth forming a perfect “O” as she cries out my name.

“Look at me,” I command.

Her green eyes flutter open, glassy with desire, locked on mine. I quicken my pace, and she shudders beneath me, her body reacting to the rhythm of our bodies.

“Dane!” she screams, her pussy clenching around my cock as she comes.

Her body trembles beneath me, and my climax surges fast and intense until it’s a pulsating force that’s almost painful. I drive my cock deeper and deeper, my breathing jagged as she thrusts her hips up to meet mine.

“Dane,” Cece whispers again, and it sends me over the edge. My body shakes above hers as she holds me tightly in her arms.

We collapse together, our bodies slick with sweat, her soft curves cradling my harder angles perfectly. I wrap her in my arms until I don’t know where I end and she begins. My hand finds its way to her face, brushing back the lock of hair sticking to her damp forehead.

“Cece,” I whisper.

“Dane,” she echoes.

She kisses me with a tenderness that makes my heart clench, tracing my face with her fingers. I close my eyes as profound bliss settles over me.

I love this woman.

CHAPTER 5

CECE

Iblink at the sunlight streaming through the cabin window as I wake up. It takes me a moment to remember where I am and last night. I smile at the heavy weight of Dane’s arm draped over my waist and his warm breath on my neck.

“Morning,” he murmurs, his voice husky with sleep.

“Hey,” I reply, pressing my body against his.

“Sleep okay?” he asks, lightly kissing my neck.

“I did,” I reply, turning my head and kissing him.

I slept better last night than I have in ages, but I don’t know how to explain that to Dane. It’s usually hard for me to sleep after the first time I have sex with a man, but falling asleep in Dane’s arms was easy. He makes me feel safe and like I don’t have to hide anything about me. He’s already seen me being short-tempered, but he stayed calm and insisted on ensuring I was safe.

My mind races, trying to process the conflicting emotions swirling inside me. There’s no question in my head or heart that my attraction to Dane is real, but how does he feel? Was I a one-night stand? Was it one night when we reminded ourselves that we were alive by jumping into the first available bed?

Then I think about my family. I already know that my sister would say I’m acting out. My parents would do that thing where they close their mouths tightly, slightly narrow their eyes at me, and stare at me like I should be able to read their minds.

It’s not a lie that Dane is different from any man I’ve been interested in and not one my family would want or expect me to pursue. Yet I’m drawn to Dane in a way I’ve never experienced before. He has this sense of purpose and integrity that I respect, plus he doesn’t shy away from difficulty, whether it’s dealing with my sass or a pair of mountain lions. He’s steady and powerful, and that alone is hot as hell.

Live for yourself, Cece.

---