Dare Me (Take Me 2)

She still held him ferociously—with her hands, with her pussy. Soft, though highly erotic moans fell from her lips as ripples of pleasure ensued.

Damen rode out his own searing climax, feeling the emotions, the sensations straight to the core of his being.

And thinking that every time with her, he was convinced it couldn’t get any hotter, any better.

And yet…it always did.

27

Damen collapsed against the mound of pillows in the corner of the sofa and Nikki all-but sprawled against him, feeling beautifully, sinfully singed from head to toe, inside and out.

Neither spoke for several minutes. Just tried to get a normal flow of air to resume.

She was certain she was softly purring like a kitten, because holy hell, when Damen fucked her, he left her boneless and deliriously content.

His fingers twined in her hair while his hand at the small of her back tenderly caressed her spine. His supple lips grazed her temple.

In the near-distance, she heard the crackle of the fire and she imagined the snow was falling beyond the tall windows and for now, she savored the warmth surrounding her, including Damen’s heat and virility. His muscles and strength. She inhaled his darkly exotic scent and thought if ever there was a fragrance that grounded her while still enticingly stimulating her senses, this was it. Her body felt languid and limp against his rigid one, and yet her nerve endings still sizzled.

Every fiber of her being responded to this man.

“You’re burrowing,” he sexily murmured as she settled more comfortably against him, her head resting in the crook of his neck, her mouth pressed against his throat.

It was difficult to form coherent thoughts with that sort of close proximity to him, to his tempting skin, so she merely nipped at the flesh.

He groaned. “That’s playing dirty.”

She sighed dreamily.

He added, “Not that I mind, Nikki. At all.”

His words brought her around. Well…one word.

She lifted her head, shifting just an inch or so away so that she could gaze at him. She earnestly said, “I’m sorry I told you that you don’t have the right to call me Nik. You have every right. It’s personal and intimate and…you have every right,” she reiterated as she stared at him, imploringly. “I was upset and freaked out and…that’s no excuse. I’m so sorry.”

“You do not need to apologize for anything,” he quietly, though fiercely contended. “You’re caught up in something you shouldn’t be, something that’s not your doing. You never should have been pulled into this.”

She gave that sentiment the consideration it was due.

Of course, he was right. She’d unwittingly become wrapped up in this sinister plot.

Conversely…

“It’s true that I did go tearing through that hospital, trying to find you,” she admitted. “I

quizzed everyone…borderline interrogated them. I couldn’t accept that you’d just disappeared. Or…worse.”

Her voice fractured.

Damen cringed. She felt the physical jolt within him.

“I’m sorry for that, too. For you having to doubt whether I was dead or alive. And having no one who could confirm or deny it.”

The backs of her eyes burned. She squeezed them shut. And more honestly confessed, “I was terrified they’d just rolled you off to the morgue.”

“Nik.” His tone was full of anguish. “Goddamn it.”

Her eyelids fluttered open. His beautiful blue eyes held hers captive.