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I thrust once more, driving all the way in, and the sound that tears from me as I come is raw and ragged, ripped out of me like it’s hers to take. Then, every muscle goes slack. I’m done. Emptied. Mind blank. It’s the kind of release that leaves nothing behind. Just heat, sweat, and the lingering ache of everything I just gave.
I stay inside her for a beat, catching my breath, not ready to let go of the feel of her around me. Then I force myself to move, bracing one hand beside her and slowly pulling out. I leave the bed to dispose of the condom in her bathroom and then come back to the bed, bringing her in close again.
We lie in silence, her skin warm and slick against mine, our breaths evening out.
Amelia’s the one to speak first. She slides her arm across my chest and presses herself into me. There’s a sexy smile in her voice when she says, “If I knew you fucked like that, I’d have begged for it sooner.”
Fuck.
My hand’s on her jaw and my mouth’s on hers before she takes another breath. This kiss is possessive and slow, all tongueand intent. One more claim on her, one more way to sayminewithout the word.
“If I’d known you had that much filth in your veins, I would’ve bossed you into bed the minute we met.”
Her smile grows, and when she tries to bring her body in closer to mine even though that’s impossible, I tighten my arm around her, and say, “I don’t think you can get any closer, but I fucking love that you’re trying.”
She curves a leg over mine and turns serious. “I know you don’t want my apologies for blowing you off today, but I am sorry. I’ve never done anything like that before.”
“What happened between you telling me you were looking forward to it and you not showing?”
She takes a moment before quietly saying, “James.”
I internally curse but keep my shit to myself.
“He texted me some nasty stuff last night and tried to shame me. I would have been okay if that was all he said, but he told me I was always easy to impress. And I was. He was right.” She swallows hard. “It messed with me. I started to worry I was doing the same thing all over again with you.”
If I ever get my hands on that fucking guy.
“You think I’ve easily impressed you?”
I see her brain working, then the second she gets it, then the blink of realization. “No,” she says softly.
“No is fucking right, Amelia,” I say a little more intensely than I mean to, but I need her to hear this. To know it deeply. “You spent a year thinking I was an asshole. Then, I helped you survive your period at the wedding. You still thought I was an asshole. Then, you showed up to our first science fair meeting and schooled me over hurting people’s feelings. You’ve challenged me every step of the way. You don’t let me get away with a thing.” I work my jaw, thinking about the way her ex manipulates her. “I had to push my way in and practically begfor a chance with you. James doesn’t know shit, and the next time he says stuff like that to you, I hope you tell him to fuck right off.”
She lets that all sink in for a long moment before saying, “I didn’t think you were an asshole.”
I arch a brow. “I distinctly recall the day you changed your mind on that.”
Her mouth quirks as she recalls the memory. “Okay, so maybe a little.”
“Right. So, can we agree that he’s wrong about you, and that you are not the kind of woman who easily lets a man in?”
“Yes, okay, you have a point.”
My mouth curves up at the way she’s struggling to give me this. “You’re fucking cute when you’re trying not to agree that I’m right.”
She rolls her eyes but lets me move in with a kiss.
“I want dinner tomorrow night,” I say once I’m finished with her mouth.
“So, this is the part where I get to see your idea of bossy, is it?”
“This is the part where I help you figure out dating again.”
“You are enjoying yourself far too much, I think. Just because I got drunk, and word vomited all my feelings about?—”
“Amelia.”
She blinks at my firm tone. Then says, “I can’t do dinner tomorrow night. I have Sarah.”