Her eyes softened the slightest bit. “You don’t have to say it now. I understand. I think I was just—overcome.”
They kissed again, this time getting a little more out of control. Restless. His cock strained against her, desperate to get inside and he felt her shift, her legs spread in welcoming. He entered her with one sure thrust, the feel of her, clamping hot and tight around him nearly doing him in.
He wasn’t about to lose it, not yet. If he couldn’t say the damn words then he’d have to show her. Make love to her and treat her like the princess she was.
His pretty little princess. He watched her, her hair a me
ss, spread all across the pillow in a sweaty tangle. Eyes closed, mouth pursed into a tiny pout, little sighs escaping her with his every thrust. The lightest sheen of sweat covered her forehead, her eyeliner was smudged and God, he loved it. Remembered how neat and tidy she was when he first met her. How his first goal had been to rumple her up.
And he had. She was rumpled and sweaty and real. And she loved him.
Damn it, he loved her too.
Increasing his pace, he grabbed her thigh, hauled it up so she curled her leg about his hip. Her other leg circled around until she was anchored to him, allowing him to penetrate her so deeply the both of them groaned with his every down stroke.
It was so easy to lose himself in her body. Just as easy as it was to lose himself in her smile, in the way she held him at night, just before they drifted off to sleep. The way she said his name, how she looked at him…
“God, I love you, Mia,” he gasped, pushing harder, deeper until his orgasm took him off the rails and into oblivion. His entire body shook as he came, as he whispered her name over and over and her hands soothed. Smoothing up and down his back, the satisfied little smile on her face saying she was rather pleased with his declaration.
He collapsed on top of her, held her close, desperate to calm his racing heart. Big gulping breaths didn’t ease the buzzing through his veins and he wished like hell he had something to drink.
Wished like hell she’d say something to make him feel better for admitting his feelings for her. He was thinking like a selfish ass but he couldn’t help it. Was he the one who now made a huge mistake?
“Maybe next time you’ll let me come,” she finally whispered, and he pushed up on his elbows to look at her. Frowning when he realized what she said.
“Damn it.” He hung his head, feeling like a complete ass. “I’m sorry, Mia.”
She laughed and hugged him, tiny hands splayed across his back. Burning his flesh where she touched. “I’m giving you a hard time. I came earlier. When you…you know.”
Yeah, he knew. He’d do it again and again too if she let him. It was quickly becoming one of his favorite pastimes.
“Did you mean it, Jake?” He lifted his head to study her. “What you said?”
“What, did you think it was one of those I’m-about-to-come-I’ll-say-whatever-it-takes moments?” Now it was his turn to tease.
She hit his shoulder, her fingers barely glancing upon his skin. “Stop it. You know what I mean.”
“I know what you mean.” He grew serious. Very serious. Wanted her to realize he most definitely meant what he said only moments ago. “And yes I meant it. It was stupid for me to hold back. Selfish.”
She smiled and gave him a squeeze. “Then say it again.”
He shook his head once, gave a little tsk. “Only if you say it too.”
“Maybe we should say it together. At the same time.”
“All right.” He took a deep breath. “On the count of three. Ready?”
Mia gave a quick nod and he began to count out loud.
“One. Two. Three.” Jake paused, saw her lips part and they said it at the same time. Just as they planned.
“I love you.”