He clamps his teeth together before grinding out, “This is . . . not the same.”
“No, it’s not. It’s better, isn’t it?”
“You’re so soft.” He pulls his hips back. “And so warm.” He pushes in again.
“I can feel all of you.”
His hands move along my shoulder blades, fingers curling to reach my collarbones, anchoring me so I don’t slide into the footboard or off the bed as he continues to move over me.
It doesn’t take much to send me freefalling into bliss.
His jaw clenches. “This is too intense. I don’t think I can hold back much longer.”
“So don’t.” I watch the goose bumps rise along his shoulders and make their way up his neck and down his arms. It happens every time he comes.
“I don’t want to pull out.”
“Then don’t do that either.”
He runs a hand down my side and unhooks one of my legs from around his waist. He pulls it higher and slides his forearm underneath, the inside of his elbow resting against the crook in my knee, allowing him to go deeper. Every thrust hits that spot inside, taking me higher right along with him.
I can’t take my eyes off him, his expression almost feral as he moves over me.
Another orgasm slams through me as Maverick pushes inside one last time, his entire body taut, muscles quaking with his own orgasm.
He collapses on top of me for a few seconds, the weight of his entire body pressing me into the mattress. I revel in the closeness as he pants against the side of my neck, then slowly kisses his way back to my mouth as he pushes up on one arm.
His mouth covers mine, and we kiss lazily for long minutes, bodies still connected, sweaty and sated.
Eventually he pulls back, and I can see already the sedative effect sex has on him. His smile is slow and easy, movements languid. “Gotta admit, it’s going to be hard to go back to condoms after that.”
I push his hair back from his forehead, watching the thick, dark curl spring back into place. “We don’t have to. It’s really whatever you’re comfortable with. It’s a different kind of connection.”
He nods once. “It’s deeper, literally and figuratively.” He rolls his eyes at himself. “Leave it to me to ruin epic sex with stupid jokes.” His expression turns serious. “I’ve never felt this connected to anyone before. It feels like you live not only in my heart, but in my soul as well.”
We kiss again, unhurried, just like before. I want to stay like this, wrapped in the comfort of each other. But as the heat settles and the sweat dries on our skin, hefinally pulls out. I excuse myself to the bathroom to clean up, and by the time I come back to bed, Maverick’s blinks have slowed considerably.
I tuck myself into his side, and he wraps his arm around me, pulling me close. He turns his head and kisses my temple. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For knowing what I need when I need it.”
“That’s what partners do.” I kiss his chest and listen as his breathing regulates, along with his heart rate. I match my breaths to his, but my mind takes longer to settle. Just like Maverick, I have no idea what contract talks are going to bring our way.
34
ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE UNKNOWN
Maverick
Istep out of my bedroom, which I haven’t slept in much lately, and nearly collide with Kody. Right behind him is Lavender.
“I’ll see you when you get home,” she says. “Hey, Mav, it’s nice to see your face. I’d ask where you’ve been for the past two weeks, but I don’t have time to wait for you to concoct a lie. Good luck on your last exam today.” She kisses Kody on the cheek and rushes down the hall.
“Slow down, babe. I’d like you to be in one piece when we leave for New York!” he calls after her.
She flips him the bird but grabs the railing as she rushes down the steps. From theoof, I’m guessing she missed one.
