Page 66 of Secret Paths

I come a moment later, holding myself deep inside her as the pleasure moves through me.

For a while, neither of us moves.

Mandy’s legs stay around my waist.

Her fingers rest at the back of my neck.

I press my face into the curve of her shoulder and breathe.

Eventually, she strokes one hand through my hair.

“That was very slow.”

I lift my head. “Complaint?”

“I’m considering it.”

“You seemed supportive at the time.”

“I was distracted.”

“Understandable.”

Her mouth curves.

I kiss the corner of it.

Then her cheek.

Then the place beneath her ear.

When I pull back, she is watching me.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“That’s my line.”

“You’re doing the slow-looking thing again.”

“I’ve apparently developed a habit.”

“Concerning.”

“Very.”

I kiss her.

No urgency now.

Nothing left to prove.

Her hand comes up and cups my jaw.

I turn into it and kiss her wrist again.

This time she does not freeze.