Page 60 of The Harborer
“Shane, this isn’t me saying I want unprotected sex. It’s not about that at all. I would never want to put you on the spot like that. I just wanted you to know, that’s all. I want you to knowme.” A shy smile tugged her lips. “Though I’m not opposed to the idea.”
His eyes widened. Condoms had always been an automatic for him in the rare instances he hooked up with someone. If this thing with Amy was going to turn into long-term—and he was going to fight like hell to make sure it did—then he would definitely be down. Being inside Amy without any layers between them? Oh fuck, yeah.
Sane Shane came back on board. Damn, that guy was a downer. “You don’t know where I’ve been or what I’ve done, Amy.”
“No, I don’t, but I don’t need to. I see your spots, remember?” She placed her hand over his heart. “You’re a protector. A safe harbor. I trust you … with my life.”
This small woman had utterly laid him bare.
Chapter 21
Deputy Barista
Amy awoke to awarm, hard body snuggled against her. A leg pinned her shins, warm breath caressed her neck, and a large palm covered one breast. Shaking off sleepy cobwebs, she paused to let her sluggish brain come back on board, finally remembering where she was.
In Shane’s bed. With Shane.Oh, what a delicious way to rouse from sleep.
A happy smile curved her lips. She wasn’t sure when they’d fallen asleep, but after the day they’d both had—and their epic lovemaking session—it was no wonder they hadn’t been able to stay awake. She should have been restless, untethered, but she’d never felt more grounded in her life. The man beside her was the reason.
The way he had made love to her … She had no words. With his body, his eyes, his touch, he’d shown her the depth of his feeling. He’d been slow and gentle. He’d been urgent and demanding. He’d been and done whatever she’d asked of him. Whatever this was between them hadn’t been about sexual gratification. It went layers-deep, touching pieces of her soul and bringing them into the sunlight. He’d utterly blown her mind. She had never felt so treasured.
He stirred beside her. The table lamp was still on, and she could see one eye slit open and peek at her. One side of his mouth hitched up, and he began kneading her breast as if on autopilot. “Hey, beautiful. What time is it?”
Everything about him—his deep voice, his square jaw, his big, calloused hand screamed masculinity. She was hooked.
Angling herself up, she swiped her phone. Shane’s hand stayed firmly in place, his tingle-inducing caresses unhurried. “It’s 2:17 a.m.”
She ignored the text icon with the number twenty-nine beside it. She’d muted the sound a while ago so she hadn’t heard the tones. But it had to be Micky, and she didn’t want to think about him right now. Thoughts of him only stirred up depressing memories, and she didn’t want them encroaching on this peaceful, pleasant place she shared with Shane.
Should she have been awash in guilt for sleeping with Shane so soon after leaving Micky? No doubt. Hopping from one man’s bed to another’s wasn’t in her playbook, but she was unable to muster a single sliver of shame. Instead, she floated on a fluffy cloud of bliss. Maybe because being with Shane wasright.
“Oh good,” he mumbled. “Plenty of time.”
She slipped back down, her head sinking into the pillow, and turned toward him. “Plenty of time for what?”
“For this.” Hoisting himself up on one elbow, he slid the covers from her torso and latched on to a nipple.
The scrape of his stubble over her sensitive flesh made her toes curl. He flicked and sucked, the pressure exquisite and perfect. Oh Gaia, the way the man used his mouth! The sensation arrowed straight to her core, and she could feel herself gush. She craved having him fill her, having him move inside herall over again. He had ripped the lid off her Pandora’s box—sexually speaking.
He tended to the other side with the same amount of devotion, then kissed his way down, stopping at her belly button. He wasn’t goingthere, was he? She lifted her upper body, bracing her weight on her elbows, ready to head him off.
His talented tongue dipped into her navel, and goose bumps skittered across her skin. Then he raised his head and fiddled with her stud. “Is this a butterfly?”
“No, it’s a coffee pot. I bought it for myself to celebrate either the second or third anniversary of the store’s opening.”
A grin spread across his handsome face. “Should’ve guessed. That’s perfect for you. Do you ever change it out?”
“No, this is the only one I’ve got.”
He continued examining the bit of whimsy. “Hmm. Would you ever want to switch it up? If I got you something different, I mean.”
She part smiled, part frowned. “Like what?”
He shrugged his shoulder. “I don’t know. I’ve never shopped for a belly ring before.” He tilted his head, and his eyes bored into hers. “Do they make any with names on them?”
The question puzzled her. “You mean, like ‘Amy’?”
“No, I was thinking of one that spells ‘Shane’ or ‘Deputized.’” His lips curled up wickedly.
