Touching him was an addiction. One that made possessiveness rear its head and roar. “This body is mine,” she declared, her fingers digging into his shoulders.
“And is this body mine?” His strong hands lifted her hips before slamming her down onto him again.
“Yes,” she screamed. “Yes, it’s yours.”
He clasped her nape. “Then give me all of it.” And covered his mouth with hers.
Their kiss was desperate, hungry, and lacking in finesse. But Rachel didn’t care. All she could think about, all she wanted, was all of him. She moved faster, grinding her hips into his, gasping her pleasure into his mouth. Swallowing his sounds of need in return.
His arm tightened around her as she climbed again. Her limbs were weak, her movements uncoordinated, as thoughts fled and sensation took over. Giddy, she spun around inside her mind, trusting him to keep her safe.
His hips surged, pushing himself deeper. Once. Twice. Three times and they exploded together. His body tensed, his muscles clenched beneath her, around her, inside of her as they fell over the precipice, safe in each other’s arms.
Gradually, as though emerging from a daze, Rachel blinked her eyes and the room came back into focus. She still straddled Harvard, a dead weight in his arms, their bodies slick with sweat and sticky with release. His heart thudded against her chest, their beats matching as they panted for air.
His hand caressing her back, he kissed her temple. “I heard you,” he said, his voice full of emotion. “And I love you too.”
Rachel’s arms tightened around him. “I can’t move.”
His deep chuckle reverberated through her. “Then, we stay here.”
It was as though they were secure inside their own cocoon, and neither of them wanted to do anything to jeopardize it. Rachel wasn’t sure how long they sat like that as her mind wandered and her thoughts reordered themselves. But eventually, clarity and the world outside began to intrude.
“I’m not going back to Benson Security,” she said at last. “I’m staying at TayFor. It’s where I was always meant to be.”
He squeezed her tight for a second. “They need a new head of security anyway.”
“You don’t have to take that job, Michael. I know it’s not what you envisioned doing when you left the CIA. It’s hardly the pinnacle of a security career.”
She felt him shrug. “I’m not an ambitious man, Rachel. I wanted the challenge of working with the CIA, now I want the challenge of loving you and making our life together. I’ll be fine. And if I get bored, I can always do some freelance work for Callum.”
“You’re sure you want to come with me?” Changing his whole life for her was a huge ask, and she feared he’d regret it.
“I’m sure, but there’s a condition.”
Her heart stuttered. “Of course, there is.”
“No trust.” He chuckled again. “I want us to get married for real. Those are my terms for sorting out TayFor’s security and for watching your back for the rest of your life. You have to make an honest man of me.”
“You are pathetically bad at negotiation.” She felt a surge of pure happiness. “You should have held out for a higher salary and a better car.”
“I don’t need a higher salary. I’m marrying an heiress.” When she sat up and glared at him, he laughed. “I’m worth millions, Rachel. I’m very good at playing the stock market. I don’t need your money or the job at TayFor.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Or my stupid cousins when they went on about prenups.”
“Because it’s not important. I was lucky with the stock market, that’s all. Plus, I planned to keep you whether I had money or not.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “That arrogance of yours really isn’t attractive.”
“Yes, it is.” He smiled, and it made her melt. “You haven’t answered me. We’re getting married, right?”
Letting out a heavy sigh, she rested her head back on his shoulder. “I suppose so. If we must.”
“Your enthusiasm underwhelms me, but I heard a yes in there, and that’s all I care about.” His body flexed as something seemed to occur to him. “We’re not going to triple barrel our names, are we? Rachel Ford-Talbot-Carter? That’s just wrong.”
“Don’t be an idiot.” She snuggled closer. “You’ll just change your name, and that will be the end of it.”
“Yeah, that ain’t gonna happen.”