Page 69 of Long Hard Road

With a final thrust, he planted himself all the way inside me, kissing away another gasp at the pinch of pain that only enhanced my throbbing. His eyes were full of concern. “Are you okay?”

“More than okay. You feel so good inside me.”

He smoothed away a strand of hair that had landed over my eye. “I’m going to start moving. I’ll go slow until you adjust, okay?”

“Okay.” I had never felt as protected as I did with his strong arms braced on either side of me as he looked deep into my eyes. That first retreat was torture for both of us. When he slid back in, we both let out a relieved moan. He repeated the move twice before I lifted my hips hard against his. “I’m ready, Nate. Don’t hold back. Please.”

“Told you I’d have you begging,” he teased and then thrust hard enough into me that I let out a shout. Before he could change his mind, I moved one arm from his neck to his backside and dug my fingers into his ass.

“More,” I begged.

That was the only encouragement he needed. His thrusts became harder and deeper as he angled his hips to drive into me in just the right way. He hit the spot inside that had been aching for him since our first kiss and I cried out his name. “Nate!”

“Don’t come yet, babe.” One hand found my breast and he tweaked my nipple while pounding into me again and I whimpered from the sheer pleasure of it. “I’m almost there. Just hold on.” He grunted when I squeezed his ass tighter and moved his hand between us, thumb pressing hard on my clit as my orgasm exploded through every inch of my body. My inner walls pulsed around him and he released inside me with an animalistic growl. I held him tight as he coated my inner walls while the aftershocks slowly faded away.

“Thank you,” I whispered as he collapsed on top of me, our skin slick with sweat.

“Don’t you ever thank me for that, angel.” He hoisted himself up on an elbow as he slid out of me.

“This is the best night of my life,” I confessed, slipping my fingers through his hair.

He smiled his most perfect smile and said, “The night is just beginning, babe.”

22

NATE

Madison’s hair was fanned across my chest, her soft breathing warm on my skin. The fire had gone out hours ago and I had pulled a blanket over us while she slept so she wouldn’t get cold. She had only been asleep for a couple of hours because once we had gotten started, it had been impossible to stop.

After that first time, she’d begged me to go again even though I was afraid she would be too sore. When she hadn’t shown any sign of pain, we’d gone a third time before she’d finally flung her body on top of mine and whispered good night.

I stroked my hand over her hair for the hundredth time and breathed deeply to inhale her intoxicating scent. Just a month ago, I would’ve sworn that I would never be this guy. The guy who would do anything for a woman he’d just met. The guy who would be patient and gentle with a woman who was younger and inexperienced. I had been a one-night stand guy. Took what I needed and left nothing behind. That was all I thought I would ever want after having my heart ripped out of my chest.

But Madison made me want more. The way she looked at me left no room for doubt. She was falling in love with me. That thought should’ve horrified me but instead, I was just relieved. Because I had already fallen completely in love with her.

Once the sunlight started to filter through a crack in the curtains, I slid carefully out from under Madison’s sleeping body and made sure to place a pillow under her head before tucking the blanket around her. Then I pulled on my underwear and stumbled toward the kitchen. I hadn’t gotten a minute of sleep and though I didn’t regret those hours of listening to Madison breathe and stroking her soft skin, I was going to pay for it today.

I had just poured my coffee and was on my way to check on Meadow and the kittens when someone pounded on the door.

“Shit.” I hurried to answer before more knocking could wake up Madison. It was only after I had yanked open the door that I remembered I was wearing just my boxer briefs.

“Wonderful,” Ellison muttered with a glare after noting my lack of clothing. He was holding a manilla folder in one hand.

“Madison sure thinks so.” I couldn’t help myself. He might be the head of her security, but he was also bossy and annoying. “You want to come in?”

“I guess.” He looked nervously over my shoulder. “Where’s Madison?”

“Sleeping.” I stepped back. “I’ll get her. There’s coffee in the kitchen.”

“Thanks,” he muttered, walking that way without removing his boots or coat. I glared at the track of melted snow that followed him.

Madison was still sleeping hard, pink lips parted slightly and dark lashes fluttering. I watched her while pulling on my jeans and t-shirt and then I knelt down.

“Good morning, angel,” I said, brushing back her hair. “Time to wake up.”

“No thanks,” she murmured, burying her face in the pillow. She was so adorable.

“Eli is here.” I squeezed her shoulder. “I can send him away, but we should probably hear what he found out about your car.”