Page 101 of If You Need Me

“You don’t want to finish this in the bedroom?” I ask as I drag my nails down his chest.

He shakes his head as he grips his erection and lines himself up. “I want the memory of being inside you every time I lie on this couch.”

“You’re a little obsessed, aren’t you?” I’ve never been with someone like this.

“Wholly, unequivocally, unabashedly obsessed.” He kisses the end of my nose. “I’m going to pound you into the couch now, honey.”

“Bring it on, sweetheart,” I taunt, digging my nails into the back of his neck.

His hips jerk forward, and he fills me with one hard thrust. I moan, hooking my leg over his hip as he pulls back, all the way to the ridge, before he fills me again. He frames my face with his wide, warm palms.

“Keep your eyes on mine,” he demands. “I want to see what I do to you.”

He keeps fucking me, the rhythm as intense as his expression. I see every emotion as it passes through his eyes, ending with the primal satisfaction that darkens his gaze when another orgasm rolls through me and his name tumbles from my lips on a low, desperate moan.

“I love that sound…” Dallas tucks his arm under my leg, changing the angle, going deeper and dragging the orgasm out. I can’t stop coming, or moaning, or digging my nails into his back.

The chemistry is incendiary, the sex a revelation, and I’m already addicted to the feel of his body moving over mine, the way he fills me so completely. But the thing that I can’t get enough of is his enraptured expression, the way he bares his feelings without apology. I’ve never felt this loved, this consumed, or this cared for before Dallas.

And I can’t tear my eyes from his as he reaches his peak. His muscles are tight, neck straining, biceps flexing. For a moment I wonder what it would have been like if he’d asked me out theway he’d wanted to. Would he have been my first? Would he have made me feel this special, this wanted, the way he does now?

All those hard lines and cut angles suddenly soften, and he presses me into the couch, still bearing most of his weight as his lips find my neck and skim until they reach my ear. They move against my skin, and I instinctively know what he’s saying without sound.

That he loves me.

That he’s mine.

And so is his heart.

CHAPTER 34

DALLAS

“Ican’t believe training camp starts next month. Where did the summer go?” Hollis shakes his head as he loads up the squat rack.

It’s already closing in on the end of August. This summer has turned out to be the best one of my life. So far.

“I know, man.” Tristan grunts from the incline bench where he’s doing sit-ups. “Bea is starting courses in a few weeks, and she’s a mix of excitement and nerves.” He’s the only one who calls Rix this.

“Is she still stressed about not having a full paycheck?” Flip asks between one-armed pushups.

“Yeah. She’s been making spreadsheets for monthly expenses. I keep telling her it’s fine, and I’ve got this, but this is one of her hang-ups, so I’m letting her do what she needs to do.”

“She’ll get comfortable eventually,” Flip assures him.

“I hope so. She’s been seeing her therapist more, so that’s been helpful,” Tristan agrees, looking over at me. “How are things with you and Hemi?”

“Amazing.” I choose a plate for a chest press and lie on one of the benches. “It’s been nice not having to hide how I feel about her.” She’s been spending more nights with me lately. Andshe’s been leaving clothes, too. It makes sense for her to stay at my place, where she doesn’t have to worry about being quiet or someone interrupting when we’re making out on the couch. Did I mention it’s been the best summer of my life?

“I can’t believe I didn’t see this coming,” Flip gripes.

“The rest of us did,” Ash mutters, then frowns at his phone. “Shit. Give me a minute.”

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Shilps was feeling off this morning. I hope she’s not coming down with something.” He steps into the hallway to take the call.

“I hope she’s okay.” I watch the gym door close behind him.

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