Defender (Seattle Sharks 9)

Tears glittered in my eyes.

“Until you,” he said, drawing his eyes to mine.

“Nathan,” I whispered, a thank you and a request.

He tugged me toward him until I settled on top his lap, one leg on either side of his hips. Chest to chest, forehead to forehead, he closed his eyes and breathed. I gently ran my fingers through his hair, lightly scraping his scalp. He practically purred at the touch, his arms locking around me to hold me closer.

He shifted one hand into his pocket, pulling out a small box and handing it to me.

The warmth from the deep moment, from sitting on his lap, evaporated.

“Nathan,” I chided.

“Merry Christmas,” he said, eyes darting from me to the box.

My fingers shook, but I cracked the lid—

“Oh, thank the loving God,” I said, the breath rushing out of my lungs at the sight of the small, butterfly earrings decorated with tiny diamonds on the wings.

Nathan’s body rumbled underneath me from his silent laughter. I playfully smacked his chest. “That was so not funny. You know what this box looked like and you know me.”

“Right,” he said. “I know you don’t believe in marriage. I haven’t forgotten rule number three.”

Right. I’d made him promise not to ever ask me to marry him. Because I didn’t believe in marriage.

But one night with his parents had done everything to combat that seasoned notion.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “But I don’t believe that putting a diamond on a specific finger changes anything between two people.” I hissed. “Don’t tell Faith I said that.”

He made a my lips are sealed motion while I studied the box with more focus. The tiny earrings were simple yet elegant. Not too flashy but absolutely perfect.

“Butterflies,” I said, smiling up at him, my stomach flipping. “Because I’m your—”

“Butterfly,” he offered. “Yes. Mine.”

“They’re perfect,” I said, giving him a quick kiss before slipping an earring on each ear. “How do they look?” I asked, holding my long hair back.

“Stunning.”

I bit my bottom lip. “I left your present upstairs.”

“I told you not to get me anything.”

“Says the man who literally just gave me a present.” I sighed. “Besides, mine isn’t technically something to give you as it is for you.”

He sat up straighter, the motion rubbing our bodies in a delicious way. “Interested.” He kissed the seam of my neck. “Is it something I can take off of you?”

“How did you guess?” I asked, slightly breathless as his tongue grazed my skin.

“I’m good at reading you.”

“You’re good at everything,” I said, arching my head to give him better access. He took full advantage, slipping his hand underneath my coat to palm my breast. His fingers were cold against my hot skin, the contrast making me rock against what I could feel was hard and ready beneath me.

I gripped his hair and brought his mouth to mine, rolling my hips in the same rhythm my tongue explored his mouth.

“Fuck,” he hissed, drawing back. “Let’s go check out this present of mine.”

I reached down between us, the heat ratcheting up in my core as I wrapped my fingers around his hard length over the fabric of his athletic pants. “Too. Far.”

He went still underneath me, drawing back enough to meet my eyes.

Fire and lightning and wicked surprise danced in his.

“Really?” His tone was laced with lust and hope and all the things I knew he could do to me.

“Mmmhmm,” I said, rocking against him again.

He supported my lower back with one hand, holding me to him as he reached for one of the thick blankets in the chair next to him. He made quick work of positioning our pajama pants down just enough for me to re-situate myself on top of him before he wrapped the blanket around us both.

The warmth of the blanket, the feel of him bare beneath me, tightened my senses like a string—one that Nathan controlled. He looked up at me from where I sat poised above him, a question.

I answered by fisting his length again, this time so gloriously silken and bare, and guided him to my entrance.

“Fuck, Harper,” he hissed as I teased the head of his cock with what was wet and ready for him. “I just realized I didn’t think to bring a condom out here.”

“I’m on the pill,” I said. “Is this okay?” I asked, my breath coming in short bursts as I sank an inch on top of him. “I’ve been dying to feel you—all of you.”

“Damn. Fuck. Yes.” His words were clipped.

“You’re sure?” I asked, wanting to make sure I wasn’t forcing anything on him.

“Absolutely.”

“Good.” I released him and sank fully on top of him, my head arching back at the way he filled me. Goddamn the man was huge. I gripped the back of his hair, pressing my forehead against his, using the few moments to adjust to the sheer size of him.