And that smile knocked the last of her walls down. It was still there, stronger than ever. She loved him. Whatever their past was, their love had endured. She knew that now. This was right. He was home—that hadn’t changed.
His kiss was soft, his lips moving over hers until she was gasping for breath. When her lips parted, his tongue slipped inside.
Her hands tugged at his boxers, sliding them down his hip. She wanted him, needed him—no more waiting. He was gone long enough to remove his boxers, long enough for her to wriggle out of her panties. He lifted her foot, sliding the fabric free.
Her eyes drifted shut when he kissed her ankle, her knee, her hip and side. Sensation took over. His rough fingertips stroked gently over one breast, then the other, before the wet heat of his mouth worshipped them. She gripped his shoulders, pulling him up, craving what was next. His hands cradled her face as he kissed her. She gazed up at him, panting and flushed and desperate.
“Click,” she whispered. “Love me, please.”
* * *
HER BODY OFFERED pure pleasure. Every curve begged for his attention. He couldn’t get enough of the taste of her skin. The broken whimper she made when he touched her made him throb and ache. The bite of her nails on his back spurred him on. Her scent wrapped around him, until he drew her into his lungs. He was drowning in her, focused on her and only her, and loving every minute of it.
She was so damn beautiful. So close to falling apart.
He ran his fingers down her side, stroking her hip and thigh. Her legs parted, pulling a groan from his chest. She wanted him. He couldn’t wait any longer.
His lips found hers as he moved between her legs. Her hands gripped his shoulders, her breath hitching as he clasped her hips. He thrust into her, slowly, watching her face as he sank deep inside her. She arched back into the pillow, the broken gasp spilling from her lips almost shaking his resolve to make this last. He closed his eyes, digging deep for control.
How many times had he dreamed of this? Of loving her? Now that he was, he’d make sure she knew how special this was to him. How special she was. It was Tandy’s hand pressed against his cheek. Her soft lips pressed against his, seeking his kiss. He stared down at her, smiling at the tenderness on her face. He loved this woman, mind, body and soul.
She was flushed and beautiful beneath him. When he thrust, she moaned, her fingers pressing into his back. Her gaze met his, stunned and reeling and so hungry for him Click forgot about control. His rhythm picked up, over and over, the brush of her skin and shudder of her breath driving him on. It was sweet torture, friction and heat, as they came together again and again.
He kissed her, latching on to her lower lip and drawing another quiver from her body. “I missed you, Tandy.”
She stiffened beneath him, arching up against him as her muscles contracted. He watched, mesmerized, as her release found her. Her hands gripped him tightly against her as she cried out against his lips. Her eyes fluttered open as her body convulsed around him—and pushed him over the edge. He held her hips, driving into her until his body shook with his climax. It crashed into him, knocking the breath from his lungs and spiraling him into sensation.
He rolled off her, gasping and boneless as he pulled her into his arms. She burrowed close against his side, resting her head on his chest. There was no way she could miss the thundering of his heart. Not that he could do a damn thing about it—it was how she affected him. It took time for his breathing to slow, but his hold on her didn’t ease. She was back in his arms, and he was in no hurry to let her go.
She looked up at him, slowly stroking his chest.
He ran his fingers over the curve of her cheek and smiled.
“You should smile more often,” she said.
“I’ll work on it,” he offered.
She nodded. “Do that.”
He arched a brow. “Anything else I need to work on?”
She shook her head.
“Nothing?” His thumb traced her jaw.
“I wouldn’t change a thing.” Her hazel-green gaze met his.
“A man could get lost in those eyes,” he whispered, stroking her brow. “I know I did. For hours at a time.”
She grinned. “Are you complaining?”
“No, ma’am.” He ran his fingers through her hair and smiled.
“There it is,” she said, pressing her fingers to his lips.
He caught her hand, kissing her fingertips, her palm and the inside of her wrist. She leaned up, brushing a featherlight kiss on his mouth.
“Tired now?” he asked.