“Everyone’s a comedian.” He snatched the paper and threw it aimlessly. “God knows how long that’s been there.”

She wondered, too. Had it been days? Weeks? Months? “Make sure you thank him for the well wishes.”

“Yeah,” he grated. “I will.”

His hand covered hers, the foil packet disappearing with his retreat. With a bite of his teeth, the wrapper was opened, the protection removed. Then he was gripping the base of his shaft in one hand and placing the condom over the head of his cock with the other.

She was embarrassed by her fascination as she watched him cover his length. He was so hard. So temptingly real.

“Want me to go slower to prolong the show?”

Bastard.“I could watch you do that all day.” She met his gaze, smirked. “But then you’d never get what you want.”

His eyes softened as he leaned down to hover over her, hip to hip, chest to chest. “I already have what I want.”

She quirked a brow and jolted her pelvis. “So there’s no need to go any further?”

“There’s no necessity.” He ground his erection into her, the head of his cock finding her entrance. “But there’s definitely need.”

She scratched her nails along his back and wove her legs around his waist. “I think there’s a necessity to stop talking.”

He brought his nose to hers, his smiling lips an inch away. “I’ll never speak again.”

The lush stroke of his mouth brushed over hers as his hips nudged into her. His cock breached her pussy, the penetration sinking further while his tongue coaxed a deeper kiss. He didn’t break his promise when he pulled back. He didn’t speak. But his eyes whispered compliments, the endearments making her moan.

He held her captive, surveying her as their rhythm increased. The grind of his pelvis became harder, his fingers clutching the bed coverings beside her head. The tendons in his neck tightened, his body glistened with a sheen of sweat. She leaned up to nip his shoulder, to lick and suck his salted flesh. Everything she did gained a response—a hiss, a growl, a harder thrust of his hips.

She clenched down on him and wove an arm around his, her nails digging into his bicep to hold on. The necessity to slow ate at her. She didn’t want this to end, but she couldn’t stop. Every grind against her clit piercing increased the insanity. Each peppered kiss along her skin stoked the need to come.

When his beard grazed the sensitive spot where her neck and shoulder joined, she lost hope. Her pussy fluttered. Spasmed. Her eyes clamped shut as she called out, the sound deafening. Then he was there with her, her name moaned over and over.

The friction built with his harsh thrusts, her receding orgasm coming back with vengeance. “Shit.” She came again, her legs so tight around his waist she thought he might break. She was still coming when she opened her eyes and found love staring back at her.

The shocking image dissolved her pleasure, the seriousness dragging her into the real world where fantasies didn’t exist. She’d never seen that look before. Not from any man. And not through all the years she’d seen him with his wife.

The affection he had for her was hers alone. A tangible emotion she would adorn like a treasured piece of jewelry. “How long have you imagined this?”

“All my life,” he murmured, placing a kiss against her sternum.

She closed her eyes with a smile, allowing a few seconds of shameless bliss before she looked at him again. “Ryan, I’m serious.” She tugged on the loose strands of his hair, demanding focus. “How long have you wanted to be with me?”

He kissed her shoulder, her neck, the delicious spot below her ear and whispered, “Forever.”

Chapter Fourteen

Leah had never wokenup happy. She’d previously roused from slumber feeling content, occasionally even energized. But never happy, with tingles in her belly and a heavy throb beneath her ribs. Not until today.

Ryan’s arm was wrapped around her waist, his chest spooned against her back.

“Morning, gorgeous.”

“Gorgeous?” She turned in his arms, fixing him with a raised brow.

“Yeah, sweetie or pumpkin don’t suit.” His eyes were dreamy, this morning a shade greener than blue. “And although ball-buster was a great fit, I was looking for something more personal instead of a name the band, crew, and anyone in general would be likely to call you.”

“That’s sweet, Ryan. Really sweet.” She shot him a playful glower and then nuzzled into his chest, wrapping her arms around the huge expanse of muscle. They’d stayed awake for hours, the darkness ticking away as they made up for lost time. “I never want to leave this room.”

He ran his fingers through her tangled hair, letting his touch travel down her back with each swipe. Goosebumps awakened under his fingertips, his affection branding her skin like an iron.