Page 67 of It Takes a Thief
But I never thought I could love a woman like this—with every fiber of my being. The way I wished my father would’ve loved my mother.
I never had an example of what love should look like growing up, but now I know. I see it with Knox and Hunter, and now I see it with me and Merritt.
Nerves flutter in my belly as I gently lay her down on the mattress and lower myself down on top of her, always conscious of my size and making sure to keep my weight on my arms.
“Linc, please,” she begs. “I need you inside me.”
“As you wish.” I carefully push her legs further apart, forcing myself to go slow even though it’s killing me. When I finally slide my weeping cock into her slick pussy, I swear to Christ, I see a flash of heaven. “Jesus,” I hiss.
Coming together with this woman is the most powerful experience—physically and emotionally. Our bodies connect, and I don’t move, just take a moment to savor it. Her eyes lock onto mine and I drown in their infinite blue. Brushing her hair back, I find the courage to say what’s in my big, bruised heart. “I love you, Mer. So damn much.”
Her mouth briefly parts in surprise then her lips curve into the most gorgeous smile. “How many rules have you broken for me?”
“Every fucking one,” I admit sheepishly.
“Regrets?”
“Not a fucking one.”
She slides her hand around my neck, nails scratching lightly against my skin. “Good. Because I love you, too.” Her hips arch, encouraging me, and she lets out a soft moan. “Now please start moving before I die.”
“With pleasure, my Princess.” Our mouths crash together, tongues tangling, and I begin to thrust, determined to take her to new heights.
I’m not sure what exactly it is, why this time feels more intense than ever before, but I think maybe it’s because we expressed our love out loud. Whatever is happening right now is raw and primal, and it wallops me with more force than a TKO. Because just like a technical knockout, I can no longer defend myself. All I can do is let go and give in to the incredible sensations rocking through my entire being.
Merritt fractures, screaming my name, and I follow almost immediately, erupting within her pulsing heat with a roar. My release is all-consuming, and I shudder through it. Breathing hard, our gazes never breaking, I lower my face and kiss her deeply. Thoroughly. As though my very life depends on it.
When we finally pull apart, I bury my face in her hair and breathe deeply. Her jasmine scent surrounds me, fills me, lulling me into some kind of magical space where everything in my world feels perfect. Divine.
After pressing a kiss to her neck, I slowly pull out of her body. “Be right back,” I promise, then amble into the bathroom to grab a washcloth.
As I run it under warm water, I consider how we didn’t use protection. Again. A wicked part of me hopes we just made a baby. Or maybe that’s the lost boy still deep within me, craving a family of his own to love. I think, above all, it’s my desire to create another human that’s part me and part Merritt.
Padding back over to the bed, I carefully clean between her legs and toss the washcloth. Her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink, and I climb back in beside her. Laying my head on the pillow, I just stare at her, not sure how I got so damn lucky.
She reaches out and lays a hand against my cheek. “So serious. What’re you thinking, my love?”
The endearment makes my chest hitch.
“Just wondering how a bum like me got a woman like you.” I tangle my fingers through hers, turn her hand and press a kiss to her palm. “Maybe I’m only dreaming.”
“You’re not dreaming,” she assures me. “And you’re not a bum. You are, in fact, the best man I’ve ever met.”
“I have things to tell you,” I say slowly. “And I’m terrified they’ll scare you off.”
“You could never scare me off. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m all in.”
“You don’t know what I’m about to say,” I warn her.
“There’s nothing you could say to change what I feel in my heart.”
I sure as shit hope that’s true. Because I don’t want any secrets with Merritt. I need her to know who and what I am, and to still want to be with me.
“I’ve never talked about this,” I begin, and she nods encouragingly. “I told you I grew up here. It’s where I picked up my questionable talents and bad habits. I had a rough childhood, and after Ma died, I was angry. Turned into quite the rebel.”
She gives my hand a squeeze, giving me the courage to let it all out
“I wasn’t what you’d call a good kid. I spent a lot of time on the streets and used to get into all sorts of trouble. For some reason, being the biggest guy always made me a target. Maybe because other boys wanted to be able to say they fought the biggest kid in class and won. But no one ever beat me. I learned to fight, even took some free karate classes down at the Y. That’s where my love for martial arts started.”
