Page 74 of Bad Boy Crush

He brought her hips back as he moved forward. The backs of her thighs hit the fronts of his, her ass a cushion between them that absorbed each deep thrust.

Her “yes” was high and tight, her voice lost a moment later when her orgasm overtook her.

“Fuck. Lou, I need—”

“Come inside me,” she panted. “I’m protected.”

She was on birth control, and as of now willing to risk the one percent chance it failed. She didn’t want to be separate from him tonight. Not again. Not now.

“You’re sure? Fuck, tell me you’re serious.”

“Come.” She reached between her legs, cupped his balls, and gave them a gentle tug.

That move coaxed his release from him. His seed, warm and thick, spilled inside of her. When he came to a stop, his hand was over hers on the arm of the sofa, his other wrapped gently around her throat. His ragged breaths in her ear were all she heard as she came with him, clutching him tightly with her inner muscles. Her palm, slick with sweat on the leather couch’s arm, slipped, but she managed to hold herself up.

He lifted her hair and kissed the back of her neck. “God, I love you. I never want to leave this spot. Not ever.”

Her satisfied smile froze in place. Her pulse revved up, sloshing loudly in her eardrums. She licked her suddenly dry lips. Had he meant that I love you, or had he been speaking without thinking? She could understand how. She’d been overcome as well.

“You, uh, you might have to at some point.” She reached behind her to grip the back of his head.

His deep chuckle brought goose bumps to the surface of her skin. “Yeah, I s’pose you’re right.”

He framed her ass with both hands and gently pulled out. She straightened, but before she could regain her balance, he’d lifted her into his arms. “Shower sound good?”

“Bed sounds good.” She didn’t want to stand in the brightly lit stall and address what had just happened. Not that easygoing Ant showed any signs of needing reassurance.

“Shower first.” He carried her into the bathroom and spun on the water. She opted not to argue and stripped naked. She was more exposed than ever.

She felt something for him, but love? He’d thrown her completely off-kilter. Love was big and scary and came with a truckload of obligations. After learning how to be on her own, did she want to lose her independence so soon?

It was not a good time to ask herself that question. Not after the emotional night they’d had. She allowed the warm water to wash off her worries and concentrated on enjoying the delicious feel of his hands kneading her tired back muscles.

She fell asleep the second her head hit the pillow, wrapping her arms around him with her in the big-spoon position. She didn’t think, didn’t over-examine, but she slept. Straight through until morning.

* * *

An hour left on the ride home, lightning split the sky in half.

Lou had been asleep in the passenger seat, a jacket rolled into a ball under her head. Until now. She snapped awake, her eyes wide. He cupped her thigh and gave her leg a tender squeeze.

“We’re following a line of storms straight to the Cove. We’ll be home later than expected if we hit weather.”

“Should we pull over? Ride it out?”

“Not unless you want to spend the night in this truck. There’s not a hotel in sight.”

Her shoulders sagged.

“I can handle heavy rain. I’ve got you, okay?”

She nodded. She didn’t look as reassured as he’d like her to be, but fuck if he could do anything about it.

They hadn’t spoken much on the drive so far, save a generic conversation about bands they’d seen in concert while they flipped through XM Radio stations. She’d mentioned being excited to see Asher’s band and how she’d like to interview him. He’d reminded her that Asher was his acquaintance and one of Donny’s close friends and asked her to let him know if he could help.

Last night, during the most intense sexual experience of his life, Ant had neglected to put a lid on the I-love-you before it leaped out of his mouth. He couldn’t take it back—not that he would. After their shower, she’d curled around him, sleeping while breathing deeply. He’d been wide awake and wondering if she would be willing to love him back.

Morning came, and they didn’t talk about it. Nor did the topic come up during the long, mostly quiet drive home. He wasn’t sure what that meant. Hell, she hadn’t heard him say it, for all he knew.