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James didn’t move for a while. He kissed her forehead, her cheek. He wrapped his arm around her waist, caressing her back softly. His other arm supported his weight as his fingers played with her curls.

But Diana wanted,neededhim to move.

“James, I just need…”

He didn’t let her finish. He moved inside her, slowly at first, letting her adjust to the feel of him inside her, the feel of them becoming one.

“Oh!” It was like seeing light for the first time.

Her body was on fire as he movedohso gently,ohso reverently. If she felt a wave before, now she was drowning in emotions that she could hardly contain. She could hear herself panting and calling out his name, but she barely recognized her own voice.

“God, you’re perfect,” he groaned, his voice low.

Diana struggled to focus on him and was floored to find him so overtaken by the same emotions that overpowered her. His handsome face was so tight and relaxed at the same time, his body shaking and so in control. His hands were everywhere, as if he would be one with her if he tried hard enough.

She, too, sought to mold herself to him. But then he quickened his thrusts, and she felt that rising pressure in her core. He was still tender, but his moves became more urgent, more purposeful, bordering on wild.

A savage sound tore from his throat. His forehead dropped to hers, and he bit his lip. Seeing him so out of control, Diana felt herself budding, opening fully to him.

“James,” she breathed, her voice full of wonder, full of need. “I?—”

“Let go, Diana,” he murmured, his lips brushing hers in a sweet, desperate kiss. “I’m here. Right here.”

His moves became more erratic, more fierce, forceful. He adjusted his position, his hands on her waist holding her tight. He threw his head back in a moment of surrender before he looked down at her with all that he was, no walls.

It was all Diana could take.

The surge of ecstasy that crashed over her was unlike anything she had ever felt. Intense, all-consuming, and sweet. Her body tightened around him, and she gasped as the world around her faded away. All that was left was him and the heat of their connection.

Her body was still shuddering when she felt him give one last deep thrust, and his body tensed above hers. She heard him mutter her name, his grip on her tightening as he let go, his release filling her.

“Mine,” he moaned.

They stilled, catching their breath and their sanity. Their breaths mingled, their bodies still locked in the aftermath of what they had just shared. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting golden light over their tangled limbs.

James pulled away first, worried that he was crushing her with his weight. He smiled as he tucked a sweat-damp curl behind her ear. She smiled back.

“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.

“I do not think I have ever felt better.”

He leaned in and took her lips in a soft, sweet, devastating kiss. She let out a long, blissful sigh, stretching lazily beneath him, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

“You know,” she mused, her voice still a little breathy, “I wonder what Epicurus would say about all of this.”

He chuckled as he rose, only to sit on the armchair and cradle her in his arms.

“I think he would be thrilled, seeing how diligent we were in the pursuit of pleasure.”

She laughed, a sound so light and utterly carefree that made him stare. Something in her chest swelled at the sight of him like this, relaxed and truly happy.

Then, he laughed, too.

She turned her head to look up at him, frowning. “Why are you laughing?”

He let out a slow, satisfied sigh, amusement glinting in his blue eyes. “I was just thinking how wrong your brother was.”

“About what?” She arched an eyebrow.