He sprawled into the seat, arms at his sides, his knees angled out, his attention riveted on her.
Barely able to see him, Pixie caught the hem of her shirt, whisked it off, and let it drop to the floor. In case he had better night vision than her, she quickly stripped off her shorts and then straddled his lap. He started to say something, so she silenced him with another kiss.
With a harsh sound of anticipation, he tangled his fingers in her hair and tugged her back. “Tell me this is a yes.”
“It’s a yes,please.” No way could she deny herself any longer. “I need you, Brogan.”
While the admission made her more frantic, it seemed to gentle him. His hands moved over her hair and shoulders in long, slow pets. He stroked down her spine, tucked her close, and carefully turned so her back rested on the soft couch cushions.
Coming down over her, he whispered, “You’re sure, honey?”
Insecurity reared up, scaring her. “You’re not?”
“Pixie,” he scolded affectionately, nuzzling his lips to hers. “I’ve wanted you from the second I first saw you. Every day has been worse because getting to know you only made the need sharper.” His forehead touched hers. “I’ve tried to keep my priorities straight, to remember that I’m an intrusion into your life.”
She would have denied that, but he didn’t give her a chance.
“You totally took me by surprise. I’ve never met anyone like you. I’ve never wanted a woman more than you. You have to know that. I’m used to wanting, though, so if you need more time, I can wait.”
“Well, I can’t wait.” Until she said it, she didn’t realize howtrue it was. “I want you right now.You, Brogan. No one but you.” She kissed him with desperation and with love. So much love.
“This can’t change things,” he said as he stood and stripped off his jeans.
Hardly able to believe what she was doing, and anxious not to waste the moment, Pixie lifted her hips and skimmed off her panties. “Meaning?”
“You can’t kick me out of your life tomorrow.” Settling over her again, skin to skin, their legs tangling, their heartbeats meshing, he said, “I want to be a part of your life.”
Thrilled to hear it, Pixie whispered, “You already are.”
That must have been enough for him, because there were no more words, just endless deep kissing, warm explorations, and more intimacy than she’d ever experienced. She felt the hard muscles under warm skin, and she felt the rough ridges of scars, especially on his right hip.
Soon she’d kiss all the places where he’d been hurt. And hopefully, his heart would welcome her. Loving Brogan meant wanting him fiercely, while also needing to defend him, to make his harsh life more comfortable. To show him acceptance and affection.
Just as he was showing her. Most of her uncertainty seemed silly now. That had a lot to do with the way Brogan branded himself onto every inch of her body. No, he couldn’t see her, but just as she’d felt his scars, she knew he could feel her imperfections.
Clearly, he didn’t mind.
She didn’t say the words out loud, but they were there, circling her heart, filling her head, stealing her soul.I love you, Brogan Rafferty.
“You’re mine now,” he whispered.
Smiling, she accepted his claim by replying, “And I’ll never let you go.”
An hour later, scrunched up on the couch together, with Pixie’s breathing finally soft and even, Brogan faced reality. “You should tell me to get lost.” Sheshould—but he prayed she wouldn’t.
Pixie stirred against him, stretching with a small sound of contentment before twisting and shifting, almost sending him over the side and to the floor before she got settled atop him. Brogan knew if he was gifted a hundred years with this one special woman, it wouldn’t be enough to sate him.
Her small, cool hand cupped the side of his face. “You told me you didn’t want anything to change.”
“I don’t.” He turned his head to press a kiss on her palm. “Here, in this moment with you, is the most perfect my life has ever been. The kids are both secure and well loved. Bramble feels like the most wonderful little town.” Mostly because Pixie and Andy were there. “And you, Pixie. You’re like …” He shook his head, short of words that would correctly convey her importance to him. When he finally figured out what to say, it came out raspy, thick with emotion. “You’re everything good that I never imagined in my life. I want this life, with you in it.” He wanted it so badly, it shook him.
“That sounds perfect to me.”
Idly resting both hands on her silky bottom, he said, “You deserve better than me.”
He felt her consternation, then her annoyance. “I don’t know what person could be better than you. I wish you would realize it.”
“Christ, Pixie.” He tipped his head back and closed his eyes. “I’m so freaking flawed, I don’t even like myself.”
