That got her eyes open. “Oh, um...”
Not giving her time to think about it, he sank in.
Creamy wet, hot and wide-open to him, he entered easily.
Heaven.
The way she gripped him made him want to explode. He paused, his chest billowing, eyes squeezed tight, concentration flagging. He needed it to last more than a minute.
He wouldn’t mind if it lasted forever.
Idly, Vanity’s hand touched his chest, then flattened over his galloping heart. “You are so deep,” she whispered. She inhaled, her inner muscles gripping him, and she softly moaned his name.
He lost it. Taking her mouth in a tongue-twining kiss, he pounded into her, loving how she reacted and tightened over each strong thrust.
Her arms curled around his neck. Clutching at him, she freed her mouth on a wild cry, releasing once more.
Opening his mouth on her neck to muffle his own shout, Stack let himself go. The draining pleasure seemed to go on and on until Vanity started stroking his back and making shushing noises in his ear.
Still struggling for breath, Stack released her legs carefully, waited for her to adjust, then eased on to her. He loved how her full breasts cushioned his chest, the way her face tucked against his neck, how she curled one leg over his, giving him a full body hug. She continued petting him, every so often kissing his shoulder.
Hell, he’d spent more time thinking on all the things he loved about her than about the mind-blowing sex they had.
She whispered, “You are such a stud,” making him grin tiredly. He’d never had a woman offer so many compliments, sometimes on the oddest things—like his ass—while disregarding the compliments he gave her.
He smoothed a hand down her side to her hip. And yeah, he loved that, too, the warmth of her silky skin, how she luxuriated like a cat every time he stroked her. Everything.
Damn it, he loved everything about her. Drawing her closer, he asked, “You’re okay?”
“Mmm. Still pulsing all over, sticky from you and me—” she lightly bit his throat “—and pretty much blown away.”
“Sounds good to me.” He turned to his back but brought her along so she rested atop him. Using both hands to hold her bottom, he kept her close so that they stayed connected. “I like this.”
She pressed in her hips, emphasizing that he was still inside her. “You and me, together?”
“Yeah.” He drifted his thumbs over those sweet dimples at the top of her behind. Maybe it was the satisfaction glowing from her beautiful blue eyes, or maybe it was the satisfaction inside him, leaving him utterly sated in a way he hadn’t felt before. But whatever the cause, it seemed the right time to ask. He kissed her shoulder, her cheek, her temple. “What do you think of that?”
Quizzical, she shook her head. “What?”
“You and me, exclusive. Not for convenience, not just for sex, but because I want you, only you. And I think you want me?”
Eyes widening, she nodded quick confirmation.
Nice that she didn’t make him wait and wonder. Vanity was always so honest; he loved that about her. “Then it’s official.” You with me and only me, now and into the near future. “I want everyone to know you’re mine.”
A breathtaking smile brightened her flushed, damp face. Putting her pointy elbows on his chest, she pushed back her hair. “You’re sure?”
She looked far from disturbed by the idea. “Very sure.” Her hair was wild, everywhere, and he helped her in smoothing it. Making sure she understood, he cupped her face. “I don’t want to share you with anyone. I get that you’re friends with the guys. I’m okay with that as long as they know you’re off-limits.” After losing her family, those friendships were especially important to her. To him, it was just as important that she have backup if or when she ever needed it. He wouldn’t always be available. Fighters traveled, sometimes out of the country.
By staking a claim, he also ensured she had a new family, one well equipped to ensure her safety, to offer support when she needed it, whenever he wasn’t around.
Her lips trembled, alarming him before she managed to turn the show of emotion into a shaky smile. “Okay.” She nodded hard. “As long as everyone understands that you’re off-limits as well, then, yes, I’d like that.”
He wanted her to love it, but for now he’d take what he could get.
Again he rolled, putting her on her back, then reluctantly leaving her. “Let me check on the dogs, then what do you think about a soak in the tub?”
Her gaze went immediately to his arm. “It’s hurting?”