And touched her everywhere. The weight of his hands on her was exquisite, and when he pushed on her thighs, she parted them. He took advantage of that, explored her, invading every sensitive place: inside and out. Then she pressed on his shoulders for him to lay back, his legs still hanging over the bed and his feet on the floor.
She knelt and grasped onto his penis. She rubbed up and down, up and down. It was already hard but turned to stone with her ministrations. She licked the tip.
He stood it as long as he could then he choked out, “Straddle me.”
This time she knelt on the bed.
Then she took him inside.
He thrust up.
She came down hard. Her mind clouded, her vision blurred. She felt the spasms begin low inside her and she rose up again, came down again, and the world dimmed, then burst into flames of color.
Next, it was his turn.
* * *
Paul held her close in the big bed and pulled up the sheet. He brushed his fingertips down her arm, letting her sweet scent fill his head. He tried to block the images of tonight, of the gunshots and the gunman swearing at him, but couldn’t.
He was almost glad when she whispered, “Why’d you do it?”
He had to get some of this out.
“I’m not exactly sure. It was more primal than forethought. I knew he’d kill people, maybe you or Finn, and I couldn’t let that happen so I took him down.”
“I was so frightened when we heard the shots. We didn’t run and had the sense to drop to the floor. But the sounds of gunfire ricocheting around the ceiling were horrific. The screams that came afterward were awful. Were you scared? At all?”
“Terrified.”
He felt her lips on his chest. “Firefighters say a hero isn’t somebody who’s not afraid. A hero is afraid and does what’s right anyway.”
“So, I’m a hero to you?”
“Are you kidding? To the entire city.”
“Hmm.” He turned so his groin bumped up against her. “Then I guess I have a lot to live up to.”
She giggled like a girl. “You already have, Superman.”
“I want to. Again.”
“Right away?”
“Right away. Danger, adrenaline, life and death is having an…effect on me.”
Gently turning her to her side, he held her gaze. Then she gave him a slow smile. He sought out her neck with his lips, brushing them there. As if in slow motion, his mouth went lower, teasing her breasts.
Hayley felt her skin tingle all over. His talented mouth moved to her abdomen, kissed her there, nipped. Her heartbeat escalated and she swore she could hear it. When he nuzzled into her curls, she bucked.
“Easy,” he whispered. “I’m not nearly done.”
“I don’t want to come this way.” But she already felt her body flush. And despite her protest, she spiraled, but easily this time, and went over like a shimmering waterfall. “Paul.”
Then he did it all again.
When she came down, she felt him hard against her. For a few precious moments, she reveled in the intimacy. Then, she pushed him, still gently, onto his back.
Paul let it happen. Her mouth at his neck, nicking, soothing with her tongue. Her hands roamed his chest. He felt the blood rush to his groin. She grasped him there, then, and massaged. Leaning in, she touched the tip of him. And he almost went off.
“Now,” he said, but it was a plea, not a demand.
He moved her to his side and faced her. Brushed the damp hair off her cheek. Scissored their legs, locked their gazes and entered her.
This time, they came together.
When they both settled, he drew her to him.
They slept.
* * *
The sun shining through the wall of glass in her bedroom woke Hayley. It was heaven to feel her body entwined with Paul’s. She lay still, remembering last night. Wondering about today. And what would happen tomorrow. In the hours before she’d seen him, she’d made all kinds of promises, mostly contradictory ones. But in the light of day, she knew only one thing.
She wasn’t losing Paul.
Eventually, nature called so she got up, grabbed her pjs that had pooled on the floor and went into the bathroom. After she dressed, she tiptoed out. And found Finn in the kitchen, dressed for work, pouring a coffee to go.
“Hey, Finn.”
“Hey to you, too.” He turned and leaned against the counter. “I take it you had a good night.”
She laughed. “A wonderful night.”
“Look at you. I’ve never seen you so happy.”
“Not sure I ever have been.”
“What’s it going to be like, do you think, loving a hero?”
“I don’t know. We have a lot of things to figure out.”
He covered his travel mug. “You will.”
“Going to work so early?”
“Yes. Millie and I talked last night at the table about changes to the rare book site.”
“That trip feels like eons ago, not a week.”
“Yeah. Everything pales in comparison to that.” He kissed her cheek. “Have a nice day.”
When he left, she poured some coffee into a mug with a happy face, sat on a stool and picked up her phone. Her mailbox was indeed full. She began deleting voicemails, until she heard, “Good morning, sweetheart.”
He was a sight to see—dark hair mussed beautifully, sleepy blue eyes. And he wore only his boxers. “Good morning.”
Gesturing below his waist, he said, “I tore my pants and they’re filthy anyway. Think Finn has anything I can borrow?”
“Why? I like you as you are.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled. “I bet you do.”
She poured coffee and handed him a cup. “Want some?”
“Yeah, thanks.” He bent over. Kissed her lips. Then took a gulp.
“So.”
“So.”
“Is it too early for serious talk?”
“Not for me. Let’s sit at the table by the windows.”
They crossed to the windows and pulled out chairs. He sat and took in New York’s skyline. Great place.”
“Yeah. My father left it to the three of us.”
His
