Page 69 of Zero Hour

There wassomethingthere—something raw, something she wasn’t ready to name.

It frightened her.

But then he moved again, his rhythm increasing, and thought dissolved.

He rose up, gripping her hips, tilting her just right.

She cried out, her body clenching around him.

“Fuck, sweetheart,” he gritted out, driving deeper, harder, until she was writhing beneath him, hanging on for dear life.

It was too much.Too good.

His muscles bunched under her hands, his jaw clenched with restraint. But then she arched up, wrapping her legs around him, and helost it.

He thrust harder, deeper, his control snapping.

“Yes,yes—” She gasped, head falling back, chasing the pleasure building inside her.

Patrick slammed into her, relentless, pushing her higher, higher?—

And then sheshattered.

Her orgasm slammed through her like a tidal wave, pulling her under.

She screamed his name, her body wracked with tremors as wave after wave of ecstasy crashed over her.

Patrick groaned, his thrusts becoming erratic, his breath harsh against her neck.

Then, with a low, guttural growl, he drove deep one last time, his body stiffening as he found his release. She felt him pulse inside her, filling her with heat, his breath ragged as he buried his face in her neck.

Her entire body was limp, boneless, her heart still racing.

She couldn’t think. Couldn’tbreathe.

Patrick let out a slow breath, rolling onto his side and pulling her with him, his arms still locked around her.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Finally, he brushed a damp strand of hair from her forehead, his voice rough. “I just want you to know, this was not what I had in mind when I brought you back to my place.”

She let out a breathless laugh. His arms were warm around her, and she curled into him. “It doesn’t matter. For the first time in a long while, I feel safe.”

CHAPTER 26

Pat woke up feeling more relaxed than he had in years.

Jasmine was still asleep beside him, curled on her side, blond hair splayed over his chest. Soft strands tickled his skin, her breath warm against him. He blinked a few times, getting used to the surreal sight of her in his bed.

His lips curved.Damn.Last night had been…

Incredible didn’t even begin to cut it.

They’d gone at each other like they were starving. Four times.

The first was raw and desperate. The second, slower—still feverish but drawn out, lingering. The third had been in the dead of night, him waking to the press of her body against his, her soft moan as he slid inside. And the last…

That had floored him.

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