“All I want is you,” she whispered. “All of you. Because you make me happy and give me hope for a future I never expected. This is moving at lightning speed, but it feels right to me. I don’tneed to know where things are going or hear that you love me. I’m not a young girl with silly fantasies anymore. I only need to know that you want to be with me as much as I want to be with you.”
Her admission broke something loose inside him. He pounced, capturing her lips again, he lifted her so her legs wrapped around his waist, her arms circling his neck. He backed her into the wall, kissing the long column of her neck while her heat surrounded him—intoxicated him.
With her head thrown back, her breaths lifted her chest and came out in ragged pants. Her middle pressed against him. “Okay,” she said, the word a raspy whisper. “Bedroom. Now.”
He didn’t need to be told twice. He kept her firmly in his arms, his lips devouring hers, as he navigated down the hall and to his room.
She closed the door with her foot. “Got a lock on that thing?”
Struggling to find the lock, he reluctantly set her on her feet then twisted the function on the knob that would keep out all unwelcome visitors.
He turned toward her, and a feeling like he’d never had flooded his system.
She stood by the foot of the bed. Her hair a rumpled mess of wayward strands and her face flush and pink. Fire blazed from her hooded eyes.
“You’re the most magnificent thing I’ve ever seen.”
With her gaze locked on his, she found the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head before tossing it to the floor.
The sight of her lacy black bra barely containing her full breasts snapped the leash on his self-control. He stalked over to her and cradled her jaw in his palm while he grazed the knuckles of his other hand over the subtle dip at her waist. Her skin was soft, a gentle vibration shaking her body.
“Are you sure?” he asked again.
“I’ve never been more sure in my life.” She turned her face to kiss the inside of his palm then slid his hand down to slip the tip of his finger into her mouth.
In one swift movement, he hooked an arm around the small of her back and anchored her to his chest as they both fell onto the bed. He didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but for tonight she was his.
Pleasure and satisfactioncombined in Katherine’s body, making her bones melt against the soft mattress. She should look at the alarm clock and check the time, but then she might talk herself into going to sleep.
And sleep was the last thing she wanted, even though she wasn’t sure she could handle any more attention from Cody.
Laying in his arms, she trailed her fingertip up and down his chest. Words escaped her as she struggled to catch her breath.
Cody trapped her hand with his against his hard muscle. “Are you okay?”
The question turned her to her side. Moonlight streamed in through the window and landed on his handsome face. She studied the subtle dip at the bridge of his nose and the hard line of his scruffy jaw.
He stared down at her, nothing but concern in his eyes.
“Of course I’m okay. More than okay. Why would you ask that?”
He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “I told you before you can always be honest with me. Tonight’s been magical, but I’m sure it’s brought on more emotions for you. Maybe some things you hadn’t expected. I just want tomake sure you know I won’t be upset if a part of you is grieving or even wrapping your mind around what just happened.”
A tingle of emotion started in her nose, and she sniffed it back. Her eyes burned, and she blinked rapidly to keep any unwanted tears at bay. As much as everything about tonight—everything about Cody—was perfect, a part of her mourned something that she’d lost.
Even if she was thrilled at what she’d gained.
“It’s hard to explain what’s going on in my mind,” she said, trying to find the right words. “I’m so happy. Beyond happy, really. But you’re right, I can’t help but think about how drastically my life has changed.”
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I can’t say I understand, but I do know there’s no right way to feel. I’m sure this is hard for you.”
She shook her head. “Nothing we did was hard. Well, almost nothing.”
He let out a hoot of laughter. “Good thing or we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”
“Definitely no problems in that department.” She smiled, enjoying the moment of levity. He made everything so easy—so natural. She didn’t want him to think she regretted being with him, or that she’d let her past ever come between them. “It’s hard for me to understand how I feel, let alone explain it. But it’s like since connecting with you, my heart’s grown in size to fit you in. Theo’s still there and always will be. Having you here,” she said, tapping her chest. “Doesn’t mean I have to toss him out.”
“No, you don’t. As far as I’m concerned, he taught you the way you’re supposed to be treated. Showed you how to be loved. As long as I’m in your life, it’s my job to make sure I keep doing those same things, and if I slip, it’s up to you to slap me upside the head and let me know.”
