By the time my orgasm rips through me, I am covered in sweat and panting. His name is a chant on my lips until I see movement out of the corner of my eye, and he rolls back onto me.

In one swift move, Shane is inside of me, filling me to the hilt, and my breath hitches in my throat. I push myself up and level my gaze with his. He looks into my eyes, and we don’t break contact while he moves inside of me.

In and out.

Over and over, he thrusts into me while my entire body comes alive, shuddering underneath his expert touch. I lower my head into the crook of his neck, and my tongue darts out, licking a path up to his earlobes. He shudders and places one arm on either side of me. My pulse quickens when I notice the chills that break out across his arms. Abruptly, he withdraws, and my whimper of protest is met with a slam. A groan falls from my lips before I know what is happening.

Before long, I am sprawled on my back with both of my legs wrapped around his waist, making soft little mewling noises. I can smell him on me, the distinct scent of soap and sandalwood, and the sound of skin slapping against skin reverberates inside of my head.

I am going to explode.

Another wave of pleasure washes over me, and this time, I sputter, my heart about to jump out of my chest. A thick fog of desire settles over me while I place a hand over my heart and suck in deep mouthfuls of air. Suddenly, Shane flips us over so I am on top. He laces his fingers through mine, and I lean forward until our foreheads are pressed together.

“Don’t think,” Shane urges in a husky voice. “Just be here with me.”

I swallow. “Okay.”

Shane’s hands fall down to my waist, and his fingers dig into the flesh there. “God. You feel so good, Evie. That’s it.”

I am dimly aware of the pounding in my ears and the sound of a lawnmower in the distance. Then I hear the muffle of voices outside the door before everything goes quiet. I place both of my hands on either side of me and ground into him, pushing away any and all doubts I have about us.

Nothing else matters right now. Not when it feels this good.

As soon as the thought crosses my mind Shane lifts his hips and slams into me. Each thrust is met with one of my own until our pace increases, and we begin to move with animal-like abandon.

When I throw my head back and release a deep, shuddering breath, Shane’s hands come up around my breasts and squeeze. He lifts his head up, and his mouth traces a path from my neck down to my navel and back up, murmuring against my skin as he does.

I have no idea what he is saying, only that the timbre in his voice stokes the fire within me. My head falls forward, and I drape myself over him, bringing my arms up on either side of the headboard. Shane splays his fingers over my hips, one hand squeezing while the other gives my ass a firm slap.

All at once, I begin to fall, hurtling over the edge at an alarming speed while my heart races against my chest. When I do catch my breath, Shane is spilling himself into me, a familiar warmth pooling between my legs.

I crawl off of him and throw myself onto the mattress with a deep sigh. Our hands are pressed against each other while our heavy breathing fills the room.

Eventually, Shane turns to me and pushes my hair out of my face. His hands linger on my chin, and his fingers begin to trace my mouth. “Do you want to shower with me?”

I blink. “What?”

“Do you want to shower with me?”

I lean into his touch and repress a sigh. “Why?”

Shane raises an eyebrow. “Why should you shower or why should you shower with me?”

I roll my eyes. “Are you always such a smart ass?”

“Do you always overthink?”

I choke back a laugh. “Fair enough.”

Shane swings his legs over the side of the bed and stands. He spins around to face me and holds out his hand. After a brief hesitation, I let him pull me up to my feet.

Quietly, we make our way into the bathroom where I study his back while we wait for the water to heat up. When steam begins to fill the room, I step into the stall and he follows. Wordlessly, he reaches for the soap and runs it over my flushed skin.

I grip his shoulders when my legs turn unsteady and hold my breath.

Hot water cascades down my back and hits until my stomach is twisted into anxious knots. When he straightens his back, I take the lemon-scented soap from his hands and return the favor. I take my time exploring every inch of skin, every slope and crevice, until Shane goes as still as a statue and fists his hands through my hair. Slowly, he releases my head and blows out a breath.

Together, we step out of the stall and pad over to the sink. Shane reaches behind the door and pulls out a bathrobe. I smile when he stuffs me into it and wraps a towel around his waist. In silence, we brush our teeth, a myriad of emotions cackling and dancing between us.