Page 117 of Mark of Love (Love Mark 3)

Indigo cocked an eyebrow, watching my expression.

My other eye opened. “Was that it?”

Huh. I thought losing my virginity would hurt a hell of a lot more than that.

He laughed. “That’s not even the beginning of it, but I’m thinking the most uncomfortable part is over, yes.”

“Oh.” My body went completely limp with relief. “Well, then…” I nodded. “Continue.”

I let my head fall back on the rock and blew out a breath of relief, only to gasp when Indigo thrust the rest of the way into me, no longer holding back.

“Holy fuck,” I cried, gaping up at him when he paused once he was fully embedded.

“Was that a good or bad holy fuck?” he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion as he studied my face. “I’m only sensing surprise.”

“I…” I shook my head. “I’m not sure yet. It was just…intense.”

He nodded. “I can work with intense.” Pulling back out slowly and letting my body adjust to the change, he surprised me again when he shoved back in with so much force that my back skidded a few inches across the surface of the rock.

“God,” I gasped, blinking up at the moonlight.

“Good or bad?” he asked again, grinning this time because I’m sure the cocky bastard could feel how much I liked it.

So, just to mess with him, I repeated, “I don’t know,” before ordering, “maybe you should try it one more time.”

He did.

I cried out.

“Good,” I panted, slapping the side of his arm in part encouragement and part demand that he never stop. “Oh, God. So good.”

“My thoughts exactly.” And then he started pumping in a ceaseless rhythm that never seemed to end. My fingers cramped as they bit into the rock, and my body absorbed each plunge with a jarring kind of ecstasy.

Then I came, squeezing around him, spasm after spasm igniting my senses. Indigo watched me in awe until I finished, and then his nostrils flared as he let himself go. His movements turned frantic and driven, jerkier and faster, I knew he was close to his release now, so I shifted my legs, trying to give him more, and his nostrils flared.

“Motherfucker,” he seethed through gritted teeth. “You’re so fucking tight. So fucking warm. So…”

Unable to finish the sentiment, he gripped my hips with both hands, lifting my bottom off the rock, and he pounded deep, grinding hard as if trying to burrow even more of him than he could possibly fit inside me. Hips thrust forward, his chest bowed out, and his head fell back, exposing a neck full of corded and strained tendon. He let his lips part in amazement while he gaped up sightlessly at the moonlight and released his seed.

I watched the shock and elation on his face, and I felt complete. This man was a part of me. For the rest of my days, he would be my true partner, no matter where either of our fates led us.

When he was spent, he crumbled forward, bracing his forearms on the rock as not to crush me, even as his face burrowed into my hair, seeking solace. I listened to him collect his breaths as he clutched my hair in two hands and panted. Then he rolled off

to the side so he could lie on the rock next to me.

With his shoulder pressed to mine, we stared up at the night sky together, side by side, and he reached down to take my hand, our fingers intertwining warmly. After a time, he began to hum “Singin’ in the Rain.”

Smiling, I whisper-sang the words along with his humming. “Why am I smilin’ and why do I sing?”

Turning his head to look at me, his eyebrows shot up. “You know that song?”

I laughed a little at the question. “I’ve been to Earth, so yes, I know the song.”

Looking delighted by that, he brought our locked hands up to his mouth and kissed the backs of my fingers. “After I went to live with my grandparents, Grandpa Atchison would sing it to me almost every night to help me get over my parents’ deaths. It was the only song he could remember from what his mother used to sing to him, but I always thought it was the absolute worst thing to sing to a grieving child. He was crazy; there was no reason to smile. But now…”

After releasing a long breath, he shook his head. “Now that I think back on all of them, I realize that stupid song did help me heal. I can remember everyone I’ve lost and smile now. I can be grateful I even got to know them. They were good people, and they loved me. I was lucky as hell for getting them as long as I did. Just like I’m lucky to be getting this moment with you right now.” Closing his eyes, he sighed as he brought our hands to his cheek and brushed the backs of my fingers across his jawline. “This night’s going to stick with me for a very long time. It’s what’ll help me get through the hard times ahead.”

A tight ache filled my chest as a delighted smile crossed his lips. I was lucky too, I realized. Lucky to get him right here and right now. I’d always been too leery to accept the fact that he was my true love before because I couldn’t believe I’d ever be able to gain something like love and affection from another person for long. But he’d just helped me see that it didn’t even matter how long I got it. Each moment of the good stuff was a gift all on its own. And it wasn’t how long you had it that mattered; it was how well you appreciated it while you did have it.

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