One to Protect (One to Hold 3)

I consider all of it and make my decision. “I’ll accept that for now.” Reaching up, I smooth my hands on his cheeks. “I love you so much.”

He leans forward and kisses me, gently at first, growing more forceful. He lifts up slightly and catches my lip between his, giving it a little pull. It sparks the desire that had only paused, and I’m pulling him to me, consuming him in a kiss so desperately hungry, it’s never satisfied.

He lets out a low noise and circles his arm around me, lifting and turning me so that my back is to his chest, my ass pressed into his pelvis. I barely have time to note his erection before he catches my thigh, moving it up and to the back slightly, allowing him to fill me with his enormous length from behind.

“Aaah!” My head drops back, and he grasps my clit, massaging as he thrusts into me.

“Oh, god!” I can’t stop another cry as his lips touch my neck, his beard scratching across the tops of my shoulders. I shiver at the intense eroticism.

He pushes into me hard as his fingers move nonstop over my sensitive bud. His mouth follows a line down the back of my neck, and sizzling waves of fire shoot down my inner thighs. I’m on the verge of screaming the pleasure is so strong. He doesn’t slow, and I’m hurtling toward the edge, eyes closed, only waves of pleasure shimmering through me.

“Come now.” His lips are a low vibration at my ear, and I moan. “Come.” And with his next thrust, my legs erupt into orgasmic shaking. I cry out, overcome by the powerful wave of ecstasy flashing through me.

My body tries to fold together with the pull of it, but he holds me up, still thrusting as my inner muscles tense and pull. I’m arching back against him moaning, unable to endure much more. He’s not far behind, and with a loud groan, he shoots off deep inside me.

Strong arms move from my shoulders around my ribcage, just above the swell of my stomach, and he’s holding me tight against him, hips gently rocking. My eyes are still closed as we move together, riding it out, gently slowing as we ease down from the stratosphere. A few more deep breaths, and we both curl forward like two hands closing together in a perfect embrace.

“Seven days.” His voice is low beside my ear, and a delicious wave of contentment moves in my torso.

My arms go on top of his, and soft lips touch the side of my neck behind my ear. Another wave moves across me. “I never want us to be apart again.”

“I meant it when I said we’d be together permanently after Baltimore.”

I scoot forward and roll onto my back to face him. “What will that look like? Will you be here?”

His soft lips press together, and I touch them with my fingertip. I know this is a difficult decision. “What if we split the time for now? We can each stay a week in both locations.”

“Will that work for you in Princeton?”

“If we start the week on a Wednesday. It’ll work in the short-term, and it’ll give Nikki a chance to find another job.”

My lips twist then. “I hadn’t thought of that. I hate for her to lose a good job.”

He exhales a laugh. “Working for me is a good job now?”

“You’re a very generous employer. Even if you are a hard-ass.”

He laughs, and I snuggle back into his arms smiling. We hold each other a few moments, savoring the afterglow. My entire body is completely relaxed and quiet. I’m in heaven in his embrace with notes of happiness pulsing through me on every heartbeat.

That’s when it happens.

I feel the faintest stirring below my navel like a little fish. Or it’s more like gas moving in my stomach, which should be embarrassing, but this is different. A second passes, and I feel it again. It’s unmistakable this time.

“Derek!” I pull back and grab his hand, pressing it hard against my lower abdomen.

“What?” Concern is etched on his face, and he props up on an elbow watching me.

“Just wait…” I whisper.

We’re both quiet, heads tilted as if we’ll hear a noise. Then I feel it again, the faintest little nudge.

“Did you feel it?!” I’m practically bouncing in the bed, I’m so happy.

His brow crinkles. “No?”

It doesn’t matter. I know it’s too small for him to feel anything yet, but I lunge forward, hugging my arms tight around his neck. “I felt him move! I can feel him moving! It’s just the faintest flutter, but I know you’ll be able to feel it soon.”

He hugs me back, pulling me tight against his torso. “I can’t wait.” I can hear the love in his voice, but when I look again, there’s a s