Page 108 of No Holds Barred

“I love you, Hope.”

Chapter

Thirty-Four

Hope blinked her eyes open, the warmth surrounding her unexpected. Angelica slept soundly in her arms. The gentle rise and fall of her chest as she took deep, sleep-filled breaths were all Hope needed to know today was a new day.

Trailing her fingers gently over Angelica’s arm, Hope stilled her soul. Last night was… something else. The way Angelica had been vulnerable, bare—Hope had never seen her like that before. After fucking, they’d talked for hours, the low murmurs of their voices vanishing into the walls of yesterday as the hours ticked by and Angelica’s eyes closed from slumber and exhaustion.

Despite the number of times they’d had sex, despite the hours they’d spent together, this was the first time Hope truly woke up with Angelica in her arms, sleeping soundly. She pressed a kiss into Angelica’s shoulder, moving her hair to the side to kiss the warm flesh of her neck. Angelica hummed lightly, rustling under the blanket that barely covered her chest.

“It’s morning,” Hope whispered into Angelica’s skin, kissing her again.

Angelica hummed again, but she didn’t say anything, and her eyes remained closed. Hope nuzzled her face into Angelica’shair, breathing in her scent—something so pure in these early morning hours. She’d never forget it. Pressing her bare chest against Angelica’s back, Hope snuggled into her tightly.

“Angel… we have to get up and go to work.”

“Logan sent me home for the night.”

“Uh huh…” Hope kissed the back of her neck and shoulder again. “But it’s morning.”

Angelica sighed heavily, her eyes fluttered but didn’t open. Hope trailed her fingers down her side, over the swell of her hip and the bruise that still covered the skin. Though Angelica swore it didn’t hurt anymore, it still looked nasty as hell. Hope slid her hand over the front of Angelica’s thigh, pulling her leg back to tangle their legs and feet together.

“We have to finish the majority of filming today,” Hope said, her lips brushing against Angelica’s shoulder with each word.

“We’re so far behind schedule,” Angelica whispered, still not opening her eyes.

“We are.”

“The last thing I want to do is go to work today.”

“I wish I could tell you that we could lie around in bed all day, touching, kissing, fucking.”

Angelica shivered, and Hope grinned at her reaction. Angelica reached backward, her fingers brushing against the back of Hope’s head, scraping against her scalp lightly, teasingly. Hope kissed her shoulder again, nibbling her way from neck to arm and back again.

“Hope…” Angelica trailed her name, scooting back into Hope’s body even more. Angelica turned slightly onto her back, holding Hope’s hand in hers. She threaded their fingers tightly, bringing their hands up to her lips and pressing a kiss against Hope’s knuckles.

“Let me,” Hope whispered, looking deep into Angelica’s eyes. The plea was out there. The ask, the question. Hope shifted even closer, whispering again. “Let me do this again.”

Angelica’s lips parted slightly, looking first at their hands and then into Hope’s gaze. “Yes.”

Gently as ever, Hope moved, sliding one leg in between Angelica’s and wrapping their bodies together, the heat of her pussy pressed to Angelica’s thigh. Angelica cupped Hope’s cheek, bringing her down so their lips could meet in a sweet kiss. Hope closed her eyes and breathed in Angelica’s scent again. Lifting up on her forearm, she hovered over Angelica and separated their hands.

In silence, she ran her fingers over Angelica’s chest, over the slight swell of her belly and the soft skin. Everything was warm, hot. She pressed her fingers against Angelica, offering a slow slide against still swollen and sensitive lips from their night.

“Yes…” Angelica hissed the word, parting her legs even more.

Hope pressed against her, using the slide of her hips against Angelica’s leg to increase her pleasure, to add to the moment of intensity. Her heart raced as she stared down into Angelica’s face, into her eyes, her parted lips, the stunning way that Angelica looked up at her.

Rubbing back and forth, faster, Hope moved against Angelica. They were going to do this together. With the break of dawn, with the new day in front of them, one of weariness and rest melded together, they would do this. Angelica gasped, arching her back and pressing her thigh deliciously into Hope. Grunting, Hope had to catch her breath. Angelica wasn’t the only one oversensitive to touch.

Bending down, Hope kissed her again. She melded lips and tongue. Angelica held onto her sides, keeping them locked together in passion. Hope couldn’t think of a time when she’d felt this connected with someone before, this bare and soul-joined. She closed her eyes as she came to completion, as she felt Angelica shudder under her touch.

They kissed again. Hope buried her face in Angelica’s neck, sliding down to the bed and cradling Angelica in her arms. The silence was so comforting. Hope just smiled as the sun’s rays brushed Angelica’s golden locks, giving her what looked like a halo. She was anything but an angel—harsh and cold on the outside. But deep down, Angelica’s motives always came from a place of truth and dedication.

“I hate to leave,” Hope whispered.

“So don’t.” Angelica smiled at her, eyes crinkling in the corners. “Stay in bed with me all day.”