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He didn’t disappoint. With a low groan of pleasure, he pushed slowly inside, giving her body time to adjust, to take him. But when she was ready, when she’d clasped her legs tight around him, all pretense of ease evaporated as he thrust inside, their hips pistoning in perfect time as the deep, carnal pleasure crescendoed.
He took her right to the edge, then slowed—the torment enough to have her crying out. He wasn’t finished with her, though, and as he entered her in long, measured thrusts, his hand slipped between them, the pad of his thumb stroking her until it was pleasure—and not frustration—that had her pressing her lips tight together to try to keep from screaming as she came, the world bursting into a million particles of light.
Her fingers clawed at his back as he thrust harder and faster, finding his own release even as the last starbursts of her orgasm fizzled and popped around her. “Oh, wow,” she said, as he collapsed beside her, pulling her tight against him, their bodies as connected now as they’d been during sex.
“I think that sums it up nicely,” he murmured, the grin on his face reflected in his voice. He shifted, propping himself up on his elbow, his massive body shadowing hers. He traced his finger lazily over her stomach and up near her breast, the effect anything but relaxing.
“Your body is like a treasure,” he whispered. “More beautiful than the statues carved by the masters themselves.”
“You’re very sweet. Insane,” she added with a laugh, “but sweet.”
“Insane, am I? How can you doubt a man who watched the masters themselves? Who knew the models personally?” There was a tease in his voice, and she fought not to laugh. “I assure you that I know what I’m talking about.”
“That must have been amazing.”
“At the time,” he said, “it was only my life. Looking back now—seeing the way the world has changed—yes, it is amazing.” He sat up, pulling her into his lap and tucking her close to his chest. “I would love to show you my past. To walk you through Rome, through Britain. To tell you the stories of what I saw on the streets and the people I once knew.”
A deep longing filled her. “I’d like that. I’d like to hear your stories.” She eased close, head tucked against his chest, suddenly melancholy.
“Sara? What is it?”
“Foolishness,” she said. “It’s just that for you, I’m not much more than a blip on the calendar.”
“Never,” he said, with conviction so warm and strong that she was sure nothing would ever shake it. “I will walk through history with you, and we will make these years our own.”
She laughed, forcing herself not to think of the looming trial, the very real possibility of his demise. “Even if we did, it would be a short history. I’m longevity challenged, after all.”
He stroked her hair. “To me, a single moment with you is more precious than a century with someone else.”
The sentiment delighted and flattered her, and she snuggled closer, then lifted her face for a kiss before pressing her palm over the strap around his chest. “I’m sorry about this.”
“You don’t need to be.”
She sighed, feeling perfectly at ease. “It was like this before, too. I remember.”
“Me wearing a stake and us on opposite sides of a trial?”
She propped herself up on an elbow and scowled at him. “Us,” she said firmly. “It felt like I knew you the moment I saw you. Like we were fated.”
“No,” he said. “Not Fate. I love you for who you are. What you stand for. The battles you fight. You’re fearless, Sara. Even as a child. And you always stood up for what was right. Always took care of yourself.”
“Somebody had to. My mom sure didn’t step up.”
“No,” he said. “She didn’t.”
Sara scooted back so she could sit up and look at him. “You know that? How closely did you watch me?”
“Not every second, I assure you. But I made sure someone I trusted always watched over you. And when you were older, I watched you less and less,” he said, his voice soft, “because I wanted to watch you more and more.”
The warmth in his voice was like a caress. “Is it odd that’s one of the things I love about you? I didn’t even know you were my protector, and yet you’ve always made me feel safe. Even when I caught you on the street watching me from the shadows, I was never afraid of you. Just the opposite.”
“I’m glad.”
“Oh, I’m not done,” she told him, fighting a grin. “I also love that it’s not just me you protect. You could have simply left Annie on the pool deck. And I see how deeply you care about Tasha.” She pressed her palm against his bare chest. “I don’t agree with some of what you do. I never will, but I understand your code. And I know that you are honorable.”
“Such praise. I would think you were fond of me.”
“I love you, Luke.” It felt so good to say the words. To match out loud what was in her heart.
