Page 62 of Never Give Up

I barely make it ten thrusts before I’m seeing stars explode in my vision.

“No.” Brian stops suddenly. “Eyes on me, Maya. Remember that. Keep your eyes on me. Stay here. With me.”

I didn’t even realize my eyes were closed, to be honest. I wouldn’t have been able to do a damn thing about it if he didn’t pull out and drop my leg so that I could wrap both around his waist.

“You’re going to come with me, and you’re going to watch me the entire time.” His order brings me right back to the precipice I’d been hanging off.

Thrust.

“Say it.”

“Yes.” I give him exactly what he’s asking for because he’s in control here.

There’s no doubt in my mind, as our eyes stay locked on one another, I’m in love with this man.

And he’s the only one who can chase my nightmares away.

The orgasm knocks the breath from my lungs, but I don’t close my eyes. Instead, I watch as Brian follows me over the cliff and shatters my world into a million pieces that will never be put back together again.

When I can finally breathe again, he pulls out and tucks me against his body. He doesn’t need to say anything.

Right now, I don’t want him to.

Words will ruin the moment, the magic that’s dancing in the air around us. I close my eyes and place my head against his chest, the slightly unsteady beat of his heart a song all its own. A promise that he meant every word he said, and even more that went unsaid.

A promise that he’s not going to break me.

Not again.

22

BRIAN

Fuckingaway Maya’s anxiety hadn’t been part of my plan. I want to spend time with her and I meant it when I admitted that I don’t want to lose her. My feelings, those emotions I’ve hidden down for so long aren’t things that go away.

But feeling something and doing something are worlds apart and what we did last night feels like I’m taking advantage of her. I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to lose her because I’m stupid and can’t think with the right head.

She sleeps next to me, pressing into me, and she’s perfect. Full hips and curves in places that make a woman soft in bed. The scar on her stomach, the one she tried to hide until last night, reminds me that she’s a survivor. It shows her story and for her, I know it exposes the fighter in her. Brings that to the surface so there’s no denying that she’s a survivor. Gently, I trace the jagged line and swear that I’ll keep her safe.

Kissing her when she wants it, when I want it, is a whole new world of pleasure, and I’m gonna do whatever it takes so that I can wake up like this every single day for the rest of my life.

With a sigh, I kiss her shoulder, sweeping her hair out of the way so I have full access to her satiny skin.

The morning light doesn’t bother me as it filters in around us. Instead, it paints a picture of perfection that I couldn’t capture on my own.

No, the shouts and whoops of my sons crashing into my house in the distance are what do that.

I groan, feeling both better rested than I have in ages, and like I’ve barely slept.

Both of which are true.

I push out of bed and dress quietly before the kids come bursting in and stick their noses into business that isn’t theirs.

But that doesn’t mean that Maya needs to get up yet. In fact, I’m already trying to figure out exactly how I can keep her naked in my bed for the next month without anyone wondering where she is.

Calm down, stalker.

Behind me she stirs, the rustle of the blanket and her soft yawn breaking the silence surrounding my thoughts. I breathe in slow and steady before walking to the door.

---