Page 85 of Cross My Heart

Saint’s chuckle sounds, low and smug. “Move in with me,” he demands softly, sinking his cock into me again, just the tip. I whimper, struggling in his arms. Needing more. But he holds me in an iron grip, right there on the brink of pleasure. Waiting for me to submit. “Let me protect you. Say you’ll stay.”

He sinks another inch inside me, and I clench around him, sobbing with a desperate, raw need. Is it crazy that I love this, knowing he can control my pleasure so effortlessly? The low, steely tenor of his voice, the vice-like grip on my hips… It only adds to the inferno burning through my body, crying out for more.

“Is that a ‘Yes?’” Saint demands, caressing my swollen clit. Shivers gather in my toes, racing through my bloodstream. Oh God, I’m close. So fucking close.

“Bastard,” I pant again, writhing. But it’s futile, I know. Saint is determined, and I…

I want nothing more than to fall.

“Yes,” I blurt, my voice rising to a cry. “Yes, I’ll stay!”

Saint groans in satisfaction. “Good girl,” he praises me, finally thrusting deep to fill me in one wicked stroke. “That’s my good fucking girl…”

Oh fuck.

My orgasm breaks through me like a tidal wave, fierce and relentless, drowning everything in its path. I throw back my head and wail, my legs giving way as my body shakes with ecstasy.

“Tessa…” Saint doesn’t pause for breath, pinning me in place up against the wall with every thick, merciless thrust. His hips snap faster. Deeper.Fuck. “Tess—”

A second climax hits me, blinding, and I scream with the force of it as Saint lets out an animal roar, shuddering into me. I feel his body spasm with the force of his release, until we’re both slumped and gasping, lost to the pleasure.

Oh my god.

My mind isthick and hazy with bliss when Saint finally pulls out of me. He zips up his pants, then lifts me effortlessly, and carries me upstairs to the dim bedroom, setting me gently on the bed. “Do you need anything?” he asks, passing me a glass of water, and then going to the dresser where, of course, my night-things are already folded, neatly in place. He picks out my favorite comfortable pajamas, and brings them over to me, as tender now as he was thrillingly merciless, only moments ago. “You can take a nap, while I make dinner. Or we can order in. What would you like?”

He looks down at me, so considerate. Slowly, my senses come back to me, and I realize what just happened.

“Don’t ever do that again.”

Saint blinks, surprised by my words—and harsh, determined tone. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” he asks, concern flashing on his face.

“No.” I shake my head. “It was… Amazing. Mind-blowing, even. The best sex of my life!”

Saint relaxes, grinning.

“But you knew that,” I continue. “And you used it to manipulate me and make me agree to something I already refused.” I glare at him and fold my arms. Sure, I’m naked in his bed after coming my brains out—twice—but I need him to know I’m serious here. “I’ll stay here with you, for a little while—becauseIwant to,” I emphasize. “But you can’t ever use sex like that against me again. Fuck me because you want me, because this chemistry between us is off-the-charts hot. But don’t you dare fuck me as some kind of power move, to make me submit to your plans.”

I hold his gaze, determined. Saint nods, looking chastened.

“You’re right,” he says, exhaling. “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t stand the thought of you alone, and scared.”

I soften. “Me either,” I admit softly. “Which is why I’m going to shower, and put on my pajamas, and you’re going to cook me something delicious, and we’re going to watch a stupid movie until I fall asleep. Safely. Here with you. Because that’smychoice, not yours.”

“I’m sorry,” Saint says again. He leans in and kisses me, and I finally relax in his arms. “But the sex part,” he whispers, cheeky. “We’re going to do that again?”

I laugh. “Oh, yes. Count on it.”

Chapter22

Tessa

When I wake, Saint is sleeping in bed beside me, his naked body sprawled under the sheets.

I pause, admiring the sight of his toned back, and the muscular curve of his bicep. After all the drama, I’ve never slept better: passing out halfway through the movie so Saint wound up carrying me back upstairs and tucking me into bed with a tender goodnight kiss.

Now, I’m tempted to wake him, but I’ve been called to a meeting with my academic supervisor. The terse email told me to be waiting at her office at nine a.m. sharp. She didn’t mention why.

A second round of blazing hot sex will just have to wait.

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