“It never seemed right. I never wanted to do it with him. It caused problems.”

His lips part, his eyes flaring—wonder, awe, gratefulness.

Slowly, he kisses me—his lips gentle, like he’s trying to soothe away the pain with his mouth.

“I’m going to make this good for you. So good for you.” He gently withdraws and I hiss, the sensations foreign but not so painful anymore.

Unlinking one of our hands, he dips it back between us, his fingers circling my clit as he gently glides back inside me. Sharp pleasure reignites between my legs, the pain gradually fading away. His hips move faster, his cock sliding almost out before he thrusts back into the hilt.

It hits my clit at the precise angle.

The sparks reignite into a fire and I meet him thrust for thrust, chasing the high, feeling the pressure climb rapidly.

“Fuck. So good. You’re so tight, Nova. Are you okay?” His words come out in rough grunts.

“Yes. Oh my God. More. Yes!” He moves harder, one hand squeezing my fingers to the point of pain, the other hand quickening between my legs, his fingers alternating between plucking, flicking, and circling my clit.

Black dots appear behind my vision. Every inch of me is on fire.

The sensations are overwhelming—his fingers on my swollen clit, his cock tunneling in and out of me in quick snaps. Moans and whimpers join the sounds of skin slapping against skin, and I realize those horny sounds are coming from me.

He grunts, his mouth devouring mine, and he drags his thick cock so it hits a spot deep inside that makes me see stars. A cry forms at my chest and moves up my throat. A different burn appears between my legs where we’re joined.

“Yes, Nova. You’re clenching me so tightly. Shit. I can’t hold on.” Ethan flicks my clit harder, his movements desperate, like sending me to oblivion is his sole purpose in life. Every atom in my body is focused on the explosion gathering at my core. “Come. Come around my cock, little hummingbird.”

“Ethan!” I detonate. My vision blanks and I arch back, my legs shaking, the earth-shattering orgasm blasting through my body, frying my nerves.

Waves of unending pleasure roll through me. I can’t think. I can’t speak. I can’t breathe. All I can do is shudder under him as he plows inside me faster and harder. I open my eyes, my vision partially returning, and take in the sweat dotting his forehead, his wavy hair covering one brow. His eyes are molten silver, and I see the moment he reaches his breaking point.

Ethan throws his head back and bares his teeth, his corded throat rippling. His growl echoes in the room.

His cock thickens and throbs, and a hot gush of cum singes my insides, sending tiny pinpricks of aftershocks through my body.

I moan as he continues his sensuous torture, his hips swiveling, dragging out every ounce of pleasure.

Ethan collapses on top of me, his heavy weight reassuring. Our labored breathing echoes our thundering heartbeats.

“My beautiful, sweet Nova. My hummingbird.” He presses a soft kiss on my neck before he lifts his head.

I blink drowsily at him, finding his gaze soft and filled with love. Slowly, he drags his index finger down the bridge of my nose and my heart flutters.

The caress of love and reverence.

“My keeper,” I whisper, and he smiles, his dimples showing.

“My unforgettable dreamer.”

Chapter 21

The screeching of theguitar riffs clashes with the aggressive drumming of Shattered Monarchy’s punk rock music blasting from the speakers in the apartment. Liam’s twenty-fourth birthday party is chaos.

Literally.

My cheeks hurt from the social smile etched on my face as I do my required mingling with his hacker friends, most of whom I don’t recognize. Neon strobe lights ricochet around the room and somewhere near the corner, a machine is churning out a scentless fog, swathing the place in a blanket of white.

The fucker—or one of his buddies—rented a smoke machine.

Soda cans, half eaten snacks, empty shot glasses, and hard liquor bottles litter our normally immaculate living room. Liam currently has a girl with pink hair on his lap as he drinks a Jell-O shot from her mouth.