And stroked a touch up the proud, thrusting length of him.
The guttural sound he made echoed the rough want she was feeling. She needed him inside her. Moving with her. Filling her.
But he clamped her hand in his, halting her touch before she peeled away his boxers.
“It’s been a long time for me.” His green eyes were stark with need. A sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead that hadn’t been there a moment ago.
She kissed his cheek. Licked along his lower lip. “Me, too.”
“Give me a minute.” He slid off the bed and stepped out his clothes, leaving him gloriously naked.
With all the lights on in her room, she could see every perfect inch of him as he retreated into another room, returning a few moments later with a condom in hand.
At least, she thought that’s what he flashed at her when he entered the room, but she was still plenty distracted by the sight of him naked. Never taking her eyes off him, she stood to let her undone skirt fall on the ground. Then, tucking her thumbs in the waistband of her pink satin bikini underwear, she lowered those, too.
“You are the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen, Abigail.” He left the condom on the bed and cupped the back of her neck, hauling her close to kiss her. Then lowered her ever so gently to the bed.
He stretched out on top of her, the warm brush of hair on his leg a tickle against her smooth one. Her breasts molded to his chest. His erection a hot, silken weight pressing between her thighs.
He kissed her then, and things got serious. Awed. Humbled. Reverent. Wordlessly, she rolled on top of him, wanting to see him better. Needing to take ownership of this moment. This incredible night.
His thigh parted hers, a welcome pressure and heat to fill the ache that grew worse by the second. She fumbled with the condom, ready for everything.
She whispered his name, needing him now. He took the packet and finished opening it, sheathing himself while she kissed his chest. Lower.
“Abby.” He breathed the nickname into her hair as he hauled her up his body again.
Then he came inside her, inch by inch, until her eyes fluttered closed against the bliss of it. She felt the slick perfection of it all the way to her toes. Her head lolled forward, resting on his chest for a long moment until she gathered herself. Moved her hips.
His groan of satisfaction spread through her, vibrating inside her. This time, when he rolled her to her back, she let him, ready to relinquish that control since hers was ready to shatter. She was close to release, and they’d only just started, her body starved for all that he could do to her. For her. With her.
She knew once with Vaughn would never be enough.
Meeting his green gaze, she watched him moving over her. Mesmerized.
Once, he leaned down to whisper her name in her ear, reaching between their bodies to pluck gently at the tender core of her. She flew apart instantly, wave after wave of pleasure breaking over her, drowning her in the sweetest release.
In the middle of it, she opened her eyes just enough to see him watching her. She found just enough wherewithal to lift her hips, taking him deeper. And in that moment, his body tensed. Spasmed. His own completion rocked him as every muscle went rigid.
They held each other for long moments afterward. At some point, he’d pulled one of the spare blankets over them while the overhead fan turned lazily above. At the foot of the bed, Ruby still snoozed, the occasional dog snuffle and sigh a reminder of her presence.
Abigail felt a beautiful languidness in her limbs. She lay her head on Vaughn’s chest after they’d disentangled themselves. She hoped he wouldn’t regret this night together. She understood he wasn’t ready for a relationship.
Knew that he struggled to make emotional connections because of the disorder he battled. Of course it would be daunting for him to be involved right now.
And yet, a little part of her couldn’t help thinking they’d taken a step forward together in spite of everything. He’d admitted he hadn’t been with anyone else in a long time, making her think this had been special for him, too.
As exhaustion pulled her toward sleep after an eventful day, Abigail told herself not to read too much into what had just happened. She had only just begun to truly heal from her sister’s death. From the devastation of learning her baby’s father was an imposter, a thief and a possible threat to her.
She couldn’t afford another hit this year.
Where Vaughn was concerned, hope might be a dangerous emotion.
Seven
Vaughn lay awake in the spare bedroom beside Abigail well past midnight, hating to leave her side too soon after the way the father of her child had checked out on her.
He liked being here, brushing touches over her hair while she slept. Seeing a hint of a smile curve her lips, welcoming his touch.
But falling asleep beside her meant the possibility of nightmares, and he didn’t want to freak her out if that happened. Granted, the nightmares had decreased since Ruby came along. The dog was aces when it came to sensing trouble at night. She nuzzled his arm or his face, whimpering until he awoke. She usually alerted him before things took a turn for the terrifying. But if Ruby knew to rouse him, that was because he was already making noise or starting to wrestle the blankets. He’d disturb Abigail for sure.
So he laid there, contemplating his next move.
Sex had been amazing. Far more than a simple release, their time together had rocked him. He hadn’t expected to be so thoroughly captivated by her. Or touched by the fact that she’d chosen him to help her erase her demons. That alone had been an unanticipated gift.
As for all the rest? He was still blown away hours later.
Tomorrow, he would stay by
