Page 91 of Declan

She had no idea how true her words were.

“Yeah, baby, you are.”

She lifted her head, pressed her lips to my throat.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Her mouth roamed my neck, my weight pressed against her chest, a position of vulnerability. Yet another gift she was giving me.

If I was waiting for the guilt to come, it never did. I had the arms of my woman wrapped around me, she felt safe and cared for, and for once in my miserable life, I felt totally at peace.

I couldn’t take it. I shoved my face in her throat, her head hit the pillow, and I pressed into her.

All of my weight.

All of me.

Her limbs tightened, holding me close. My fingers, still threaded with hers, tingled.

Connected.

My throat constricted, my heart throbbed, and my soul healed more.

With great regret, I lifted my head and muttered, “Condom, baby.”

“I hate those things,” she grumbled, looking totally dejected and thoroughly happy at the same time.

Autumn had never complained about condoms before, and for me, they were what they were—necessary.

Though now, I had to admit, I didn’t want the barrier between us, but that wasn’t up to me.

“When you’re ready, we’ll quit using them.”

“Why do you keep saying that? What about when you’re ready?”

“Because I’m ready when you are.”

Her eyes narrowed in disbelief. “How is that possible?”

“I don’t know. It just is. Let go, baby, I need to get rid of this.”

With one last perusal of my face, she unwrapped her limbs.

I went to the bathroom, quickly did my business, and made it back to the bed. Autumn had righted the comforter and moved to her side, still nude.

“You want your clothes, baby?”

“Um…I’ve never slept…”

“Okay, let me find them for you.”

“No,” she blurted out and I straightened. “If it’s okay with you, I want to try.”

“Autumn, sweetheart, you cuddled up next to me naked, I don’t know if I can live through that hardship.”

Her eyes squinted and an adorable look of ticked-off washed over her features. And it struck me, I never thought I’d describe Autumn as adorable. Capable. Skilled. Deadly. Sexy as hell. Yes, absolutely. Cute or adorable, no way. But there she was, looking adorably sexy. Not the least bit shy, her tits were on full display.

“Are you teasing?”