But she had lived through that nightmare. The least Miles could do was listen.
She was out of the SUV and halfway up the basement stairs before he could say another word. She opened the door, and paused…but didn’t look back. Instead, she straightened her shoulders and disappeared from view.
Only when she was gone did he allow himself to react. He had both hands firmly locked around the steering wheel his grip so tight, his knuckles were white and his palms were starting to hurt. He inhaled, filling his lungs to capacity and holding the air for a long moment before releasing. The sound that emerged from the back of his throat, riding the exhalation, was low, feral…unrecognizably harsh.
He wanted to hold her. Wrap his arms around her and cocoon her from the world. He wanted to kiss her, hug her, love her until all she could see and feel and taste was him. Until he could obliterate what that fucker had done to her from her memories. He would happily give up all his wealth to erase the pain she had suffered. Every bruise, broken bone, burn, bite…and whatever the fuck else that sadistic monster had done to her. He wanted it gone. He wanted to do that for her.
But he couldn’t.
And for the first time in a very long while, Miles felt helpless.
She went rigid when she sensed him in the shadows. Terrified of what he would do. He walked toward her, a shadow figure…large, looming, and menacing. The closer he came, the less of him she could see. His face obscured by the bright light streaming from behind him.
He spoke…
“Charity.”
…And the strength deserted her limbs. It took her forever to fall but his arms closed around her. Stopping the descent and saving her from harm.
She stared up into that face but it remained obscured by the shadows. She could see only suggestions of shapes, the glint of his eyes, the curve of his mouth. And yet…
This no longer felt menacing.
She lifted a wondering hand to his lean cheek. “You’re here.”
“Always.”
His mouth met hers, and she sighed, welcoming the familiar taste of him. The kiss consumed her, inflamed her, awoke every sense, and she curved herself into his hard body. Wanting it. Wanting him.
He lay her down, and suddenly he was on her, in her…thrusting, demanding, taking, and giving.
She raced toward her climax. A little shocked by how fast this was happening.
She was nearly there. On the verge…
“Miles…”
Charity woke with his name on her lips. She sat up with a gasp, her heart racing, her entire body humming. She was wet, aching, and empty.
“Oh my God.”
She covered her face and groaned.
She had expected dreams after reliving her wedding night earlier. Expected to find Blaine haunting her nightmares, as he always did.
Instead…she had found Miles. And safety.
She flattened a hand against her chest, trying to ease the frantic fluttering of her heart. Her nipples were hard as coal, her femininity hot, wet, and swollen. Her nerve endings felt scraped by pure fire.
She palmed a straining breast and thumbed her nipple and gasped at the sensation the light friction sent arrowing straight to her aching pussy.
She cupped herself down there…then stroked.
But it wasn’t enough.
Stormy’s soft woof coerced Miles out of a restless sleep. He blinked into the darkness, disoriented, not sure why the dog had barked.
Until he saw the dark shape hovering beside his bed. Despite the lack of light, he recognized the tall, slender figure instantly.
“Charity?”
She didn’t reply, but lifted the covers and slid into bed beside him. He sucked in a shocked breath when she curved herself around him, her cold, bare skin sending gooseflesh down his spine.
She didn’t seem to be dressed in much, a tank top and panties, maybe. Or possibly a pair of very short shorts. He was near naked himself, wearing only a pair of low riding boxer briefs, and he was excruciatingly aware of every inch of her gorgeous body pressed up against his. But, despite all of that tempting lush flesh within stroking distance, he refused to allow his hands to go roaming.
“What’s wrong?” his voice sounded croaky and still heavily dusted with sleep. “Did you have a nightmare, sweetheart?”
She had squeezed herself into all his empty spaces, filling the gaps he hadn’t even known were there, with her body and her presence. Her chest to his chest, torso to torso, pelvis to pelvis, her long, silky legs were entwined with his…her mouth was so close he could taste her sweet breath on his tongue. The heat generated between their bodies was off the charts, but he wasn’t sure what she wanted of him. She had to know what this was doing to him.
It was becoming increasingly hard to ignore the very large erection in the room. The one making its insistent, throbbing presence known, sandwiched as it was between his abdomen and hers.