Page 141 of Deadly Strain

He growled something she didn’t understand and let her guide him to her.

He pushed in and her eyes damn near rolled back in her head. He pulled out and pushed in a little further.

Too slow. Too careful.

“Harder,” she begged. “Please!”

He lunged into her as far as he could go, pulled out, and did it again, and again. Every stroke fed the fire inside her. Fed her need.

Her orgasm blasted her from the inside out with a heated pleasure she’d never experienced before. He powered through it, drawing it out until tears of pleasure rolled down her face.

She came back to reality to discover Sharp pistoning into her while he chanted in her ear, “Love you. Love you.” Over and over again. He groaned, stiffened, and shivered over her.

Finally, his body relaxed against hers, though his breathing was still deep and fast. His hands stole around her as he rolled onto his side and he pulled her until she was pressed against him.

“Engaged?” she asked.

He grunted.

“Do I get a ring?”

He pushed himself up on one elbow and leaned over her. He brought her left hand to his lips and kissed her ring finger. “It’s in my pants.”

She watched him nibble her fingers with all the patience he’d lacked only minutes before. “I’m still...damaged,” she told him.

“So am I,” he replied. “I’m not scared of your scars, nightmares, or your need for touch.”

He loved her. She could see it on his face, in his deep eyes, and in the way he held her like she was precious.

Helovedher.

Their next game of chess was going to be very interesting indeed.

She kissed his ring finger. “I’m not scared of your scars, nightmares, or your need to protect.” She kissed him again. “I love you.”

His smile washappy. “Do you know when I knew I loved you?”

She shook her head.

“It was in the cave with Max and all those Berets. You were making decisions and planning your strategy to deal with Marshall and the anthrax design like a two-star. Your determination to see the job done and willingness to take the lead. So much compassion and smarts. All I could think was...hot damn, she’s the perfect woman.”

She remembered. She’d been so scared he was going to try to make her stay behind. “I knew I loved you when I had that grenade in my hand and if I told you I had it, you’d have sacrificed yourself for me. I couldn’t let you do it. I couldn’t imagine you dead and didn’t want to. It was my turn to save you.”

“You werepissedwhen Smoke and I turned up to ruin your plans.” His smile made her think wicked, wicked thoughts. “You’re sexy when you’re all growly and doing thedon’t fuck with mething.”

Her hands skated over his chest and up around his neck. “Love me again?”

“Always, Grace,” he whispered against her lips.