AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He wanted to wait until she was ready. That was the only way this would work.
When he’d seen her standing there in front of that jackass she’d almost married, looking vulnerable and sweet and much more tempting than anyone he’d ever met in his life, he’d wondered how in the world the guy had ever let her get away. At that moment, Cullen knew he wasn’t going to make the same mistake.
Still, he hadn’t intended to push her to his bed. This chemistry between them was an important part of who they were together, but it was a bonus. After all she’d been through, he knew he needed to let her set the pace.
He also knew that making love to Lily couldn’t just be a fling. He’d had to make sure that he was ready for it. It meant so much more and he needed to prove that to her.
He looked into her eyes as they moved together and he realized this could never be a fling. This was for keeps.
Despite the need that was driving him to the edge of insanity, once again he forced himself to slow down, taking a moment to savor how beautiful she looked and to bask in how much he loved her.
He wanted to tell her he would never hurt her. Not on purpose. Never on purpose. Knowing without a doubt the more time he spent with her, the more he knew his life was nothing without her.
Beneath the sound of blood rushing in his ears, he heard the ragged edge of her breathing become faster and stronger until she cried out.
All his senses were heightened by the sound of her pleasure, and his breathing began to match hers. He clung to her as his body thrust in and out, over and over, faster and faster until he took her over the edge of ecstasy.
Only when he was sure that she was satisfied did he allow himself to ride the mounting waves of pleasure and succumb to a final delicious thrust. A long, anguished groan erupted from his throat. He collapsed on top of her, kissing her tenderly, possessively, pulling her to him until every inch of her was pressed against him as he reveled in their spent pleasure and lost himself in the tenderness of their embrace.
Chapter Thirteen
Waking up in Cullen’s arms was better than opening presents on Christmas morning, which was only four days away. Lately, though, Lily was choosing to live in the moment. Everything was still so new, and of course, they had the kids to consider.
“I think we need to be careful around the kids,” she said. “They’re so young they might find this confusing.” She gestured back and forth between Cullen and herself.
“You’re right,” he said, kissing her neck. “Knowing I have to keep my hands off you is just going to make me hotter for you.”
She was so comfortable in the crook of his arm she wished they could stay this way all day. However, they needed to start thinking about mobilizing, because the kids would be back at noon. It was ten o’clock.
She still had to shower and dress and make herself presentable so that the kids wouldn’t notice that anything was different…although she did worry that anyone who looked at her would see her face and be able to tell that everything had changed.
“It won’t be like this forever,” Cullen said.
She wasn’t sure what he meant exactly. Was he talking about making things permanent? As in, put-a-ring-on-it permanent? Her stomach jumped at the thought, but just as fast as the thought materialized, she shelved it. They’d known each other less than a month, and good grief, it was the morning after their first night together.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Cam Brady said he had some viable leads for a couple of families who might be interested in taking in the kids.”
Lily’s heart sank. That was the only sticky situation they hadn’t worked through. She didn’t want to send the kids off somewhere else. Not only had she fallen in love with him since she’d been here, but he and the kids had become her family. But that was a Pandora’s box she wasn’t sure she wanted to open right now. They were just getting comfortable being a couple. The other parts would work themselves out in due time.
“You’re awfully quiet,” he said.
She knew she needed to tread lightly, but she couldn’t pretend the kids weren’t important to her.
“I just can’t imagine the kids not being in this house. Why are you so afraid of fatherhood? Every man I know who has kids said it’s been life-changing. Sure, the lifestyle change may take some getting used to, but I’ve never known anyone who was an involved parent who regretted it.”
