Page 66 of Rio's Release

I fly over the edge once more.

He reaches orgasm right after me, and it’s a beautiful thing to watch—his strong muscled body going tense and his face locked in ecstasy, but the best part is when he sinks down on top of me, his hot skin pressing to mine, and I love the feel of his weight pinning me to the mattress.

The sensation is delicious, and I wrap my arms around his shoulders, burying my face in his neck, my eyes filling at how beautiful it all was. He made it special. He took his time, neverrushing me, letting me get there, waiting patiently at each step along the way until I was ready for more.

And then he did more than make me ready. He made me eager for it.

Brushing the hair from my forehead, he stares into my eyes, his filled with an emotion I can’t name. Maybe it’s love or close to it.

He moves to my side and drags me close, cuddling me against him.

I rest my head on his shoulder and trace his ink with my fingers. I’m more content than I have been in so long.

He presses a kiss to my forehead. Then cups my cheek and tilts my face up for his kiss. It’s tender and sweet, and I know I’ll never get enough of this man’s kisses.

When he breaks off, he studies me with a small smile.

“You didn’t say, but before, I thought maybe you were a virgin.”

“No,” I whisper.

“Just really inexperienced?”

I shrug. “I suppose.”

His smile touches me. “But obviously, there was someone else. I get it; I was gone a long time. You’re a beautiful woman. I couldn’t expect you to wait for me.” He strokes my hair again and dips to brush his mouth lightly over my lips. “I need to know, Shelby. Did he mean anything to you? Are you still seeing him?”

I shake my head, my eyes closing.

“I can’t deny I’m jealous.”

“There’s nothing to be jealous about. It wasn’t like that.” A tear slips from the corner of my eye.

“Baby, what’s wrong?”

“Before you… that other man? It was horrible.”

I feel his entire body still. “What do you mean?”

I push out from against him and sit up, throwing my legs over the side of the bed. I can’t look at him when I tell him. Clutching the sheet around me, I drag in a breath. “I didn’t want it. I didn’t want any of it. You have to know that.”

I feel his heat at my back and his gentle hand on my shoulder. “Baby, what are you saying?”

“Not long after that last time I visited you in prison…”

“Yeah?”

“I was pulled over.” I don’t get more out and already I feel him stiffening. He knows what the cops are like in this town. He’s probably already imagining a million scenarios.

“Tell me.” His voice is gravely.

“It was late. It was already dark out. I was on a highway just crossing into the city limits. There was no one around when I saw the flashing blue lights in my rearview mirror. I stopped, knowing I hadn’t been speeding. Deputy Carson approached my door.” My voice is monotone. I recite it all like a robot. It’s the only way I’ll get through it. “He made me get out of the car.”

I pause so long, Rio presses me.

“What happened, baby?”

“He had me pinned against the door, and his hand cupped my breast, squeezing. A driver passed us, and that’s when he put me in the back of his squad car and took me somewhere else.”

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