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"Your turn," I said again, reaching for his shirt.

This time he let me, sitting back on his heels as I unbuttoned it and pushed it off his shoulders. My hands explored the broad expanse of his chest, the defined muscles of his abdomen, the trail of hair that disappeared into his jeans.

I fumbled with his belt, suddenly impatient, and Con laughed softly, helping me. Together we rid him of his remaining clothes until he was gloriously naked above me.

"Condom?" he asked, his voice strained with the effort of control.

I gestured toward the nightstand. "Top drawer."

He reached over, found what he needed, and rolled it on with practiced efficiency. Then he was settling between my thighsagain, his weight supported on his forearms, his eyes locked on mine.

"Are you sure?" he asked, and the tenderness in his voice made my heart squeeze.

In answer, I wrapped my legs around his waist, drawing him closer until I could feel him pressing against my entrance.

Con kissed me deeply as he pushed forward, entering me with exquisite slowness. I gasped against his mouth as he filled me, the stretch and fullness overwhelming in the best way.

When he was fully seated, he paused, his forehead resting against mine, our breath mingling. "Okay?" he whispered.

"More than okay," I assured him, rolling my hips to urge him on.

He began to move, setting a languid pace that built the pleasure gradually. Each thrust was deliberate, his eyes never leaving mine, his mouth returning to mine again and again for deep, consuming kisses.

I ran my hands down his back, feeling the muscles flex and release with each movement. His skin was hot beneath my palms, a fine sheen of sweat making it slick.

"You feel incredible," Con murmured against my neck, his voice rough with restraint. "So perfect."

His words, combined with the steady rhythm of his hips and the way he was hitting just the right spot inside me, had me climbing toward another peak. I wrapped my legs tighter around him, changing the angle slightly, and gasped as the pleasure intensified.

Con sensed the change, one hand sliding between us to where we were joined, his thumb finding the bundle of nerves that would send me over the edge again. The dual stimulation was too much, and I came with a cry, my inner muscles clenching around him.

My release triggered his own. Con's rhythm faltered, his thrusts becoming deeper, more urgent, before he stilled deep inside me with a groan, his face buried in my neck.

For several long moments, we lay tangled together, our hearts racing in tandem, our breathing gradually slowing. Con's weight was heavy on me, but I didn't want him to move, not yet. I wanted to hold onto this moment, this connection, for as long as possible.

Eventually, he shifted to the side, disposing of the condom before pulling me against his chest. His fingers traced lazy patterns on my back as I nestled my head in the crook of his shoulder, feeling utterly content.

And afterward, as we lay tangled in the sheets, my head on his chest and his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my back, I felt a peace I hadn't known in years. Maybe ever.

"You're quiet," Con said softly. "Having regrets?"

I propped myself up on an elbow to look at him, surprised by the hint of vulnerability in his question. "None," I assured him. "Just... processing."

"Processing what?"

I struggled to put it into words, this unfamiliar feeling of contentment, of rightness. "I'm not used to things working out," I said finally. "I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop."

Con's expression softened. He reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch gentle. "Not everything has to end badly, Geri."

"I know that. Logically, I know that. But..."

"But experience has taught you otherwise," he finished for me.

I nodded, grateful for his understanding.

"I can't promise we won't have problems," Con said, his eyes serious. "But I can promise I won't run at the first sign of trouble. I'm in this, Geri. All the way."

The sincerity in his voice made my throat tight. I wasn't used to this—to someone seeing my fears and meeting them head-on instead of using them against me or running from them.