Page 44

All forever, Phoebe.

His words seemed to settle in her heart, filling it to bursting as her body welcomed him. In that bed, in his arms, consumed by his body and his wonderfulness, Phoebe didn't feel panicked or trapped or unsure. She just felt…perfection.

Jacob kissed her as he moved, driving deeper and deeper in a rhythm that was pure tantalizing sensation, until need and desire was coiled so tightly inside Phoebe's body that she felt like she was going to explode.

"Phoebe." One final thrust and the orgasm took over her, gripping so tightly that a little scream tore from her throat. She didn’t try to hold it back. She surrendered to the moment, to the sensations coursing through her, to him.

He did the same, and the moment was more than a moment could be. It felt like her body had become peace. Her cells inhaling deep breaths of space and room in a way they never had before. Her heart felt like dancing and giggling.

Jacob laughed softly, and rested his face in the crook of her neck. "That was…"

She wrapped her arms around his head and smiled. "It was what?"

"Mmm…"

"It was, wasn't it?"

"It's amazing what happens when two weirdos get together." He kissed her lightly, making her smile.

"I had no idea."

"Me, either." He settled beside her and pulled her into his arms, tucking himself up against her back. "I'd really like to fall asleep wrapped around you, but dinner's almost ready. We gotta go."

"I know." She didn't want to move either, but she was glad she had to. Her life wasn't one that could afford for her to take a few hours off to indulge herself. She had stolen an hour. That was all she got. She'd make it be enough. "Is there a shower in here?"

"Of course. I actually built the barn first, and I lived here with the horses while my house was being constructed. I needed to be able to stay here all the time if I had a horse who needed it, so I have a full bathroom and even a mini-kitchen.

Phoebe smiled. "Of course you stay with the horses whenever they need you. You're a protector."

"Maybe." He reached past her and picked up his phone. "Dinner in fifteen minutes. You can shower first. I'd offer to shower with you and make sure you really get your back clean, but if I do, we'll miss dinner, and then we'd have to explain to Annie, and it'll get all sorts of awkward."

She laughed, lightness in her heart. "All right. Show me the way."

"I need to make sure there are clean towels." He kissed her once more, then rolled off the bed. Phoebe took a moment to watch him walk across the floor.

He had no shame in his body. Completely comfortable being naked. He might be a little antisocial and "unusual," but he was comfortable in his own skin. He was who he was, and somehow, he'd learned to fully accept himself.

He glanced over at her. "What's that look for?"

"I was admiring your self-worth."

He burst out laughing. "Only a life coach would admire my self-worth when I'm parading around her naked, flexing my abs as hard as I can to show off." He turned to face her, held up both arms and flexed his biceps. "What about these?"

She grinned. "Impressive, but those aren't what got me into your bed."

"I know, but still…" He wiggled his brows. "Nice bonus?"

She burst out laughing and climbed out of bed. "You're so silly."

"But hot?"

She walked up to him and slipped her arms around his waist. "Absolutely gorgeous," she whispered.

When she saw the flash of relief in his eyes, she realized that despite his bravado, there was still a part of him that worried he wasn't enough for her. Was Lucas right? Was this strong protector actually endangered by her? "I don't want to hurt you," she whispered.

"Life is full of opportunities to be hurt," he said, leaning down to kiss her. "I'm tired of hiding from them, because when you protect yourself, you also don't live. So don't worry about me. I'm okay."

She searched his face, and then nodded. "All right."