He chuckled. “Not as happy as you,” he countered, and dipped his hand between her thighs, sliding one thick finger inside her, moving it slowly in and out.
Maeve’s super brain failed her in that moment, unable to think past the waves of sexual hunger he stirred up. When he pushed her thigh forward and slid his cock into her with the barest movement, she could only thrust her fingers into his thick hair and hold on, his strong arms wrapped around her so tightly that their bodies flexed as one, in a sinuous dance of desire.
It didn’t take long for her to climax. The thickness of Dragan’s cock dragging over tissues that were still trembling from the night before, the pressure of his rough fingertips pinching her nipples. . . . She came instantly, flying apart in his arms, feeling as if it was only his strength wrapped around her so tightly that held her together, as the liquid heat of his orgasm filled her once more.
He didn’t let go of her then, either. Dipping his head low, he kissed the curve of her jaw, his lips opening to lick the salty sweat from her skin. “I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you, too.” She was glad he couldn’t see her face, couldn’t see the tears rolling down her cheeks. She was overtired, she told herself. Overwrought. Overwhelmed. But no matter how many “over” words she came up with, it didn’t change the truth.
He loved her. The tears weren’t about being over anything. They were about being loved, and loving. They were the happiest tears she’d ever shed.
Chapter Thirteen
IT WAS LATE afternoon when they woke to the sound of Maeve’s cell phone ringing. She scowled up at the thing where it sat on the bedside table, wondering who could be calling. It was one of her burner phones, and she hadn’t given anyone the number. Her brain was still fogged with sleep, but she was certain of that much.
“Are you going to answer it?” Dragan’s words were remarkably crisp, compared to how she was feeling. It made her want to turn her scowl on him, too.
There was nothing wrong with her. They hadn’t had anything to drink, and judging by the low light peeking from below the blackout drape, they’d certainly slept long enough. She simply wasn’t a happy morning person. Or whatever the hell time it was. She liked to wake slowly, get her bearings—
“If you don’t answer it, I will.” The demand was accompanied by a smart slap on her ass, which was followed by a comforting rub, which didn’t exactly make her want to talk on the phone. “Maeve.”
“I’ve got it,” she said grumpily. Forced to sit up to reach the device, she leaned back against the headboard. The displayed number was familiar, but she didn’t try to work it out, just answered with a sharp, “Yes?”
“Hi Maeve!” It was a woman’s voice, way too chipper.
“I’m sorry. Who is this?”
“Lili, of course,” the woman chided, though Maeve didn’t know why she was supposed to have recognized the number.
“Oh, hi. How are you?”
“Fine, as always. How’re you and Dragan?”
“Um, oh, we’re fine, too.” Was this the lamest conversation she’d ever had? “Is something going on?”
“Something’s always going on somewhere. But you want to know why I’m calling you.”
Maeve struggled for a moment, then said simply, “Yeah?”
Lili’s laugh was that of a delighted child. “Nick wants everyone back here for a planning session tonight. Two hours after sunset. You know when that is?”
“I can certainly find out,” she replied, her brain almost fully awake and reminding her she was supposed to be smart.
“Excellent. We’ll see you—”
“Wait,” Maeve demanded. “How’d you get this number? It’s a burner phone.”
Lili laughed again. “You’re good at finding things, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, so am I, and you made a phone call to the hotel before leaving here last night. See you in a bit.”
DRAGAN PUT AN arm around Maeve’s waist, pulling her back onto the bed when she leaned too far forward to put the phone on the table. Tightening his hold, he hugged her against his chest. “Lili?”
“Yes. You could hear her?”
“Enough to recognize her voice. Nico wants us there?”
She nodded, her hair a soft brush against his skin. “Two hours after sunset.” She yawned, then sat up straight.
He missed the soft feel of her, but the sheet had dropped to reveal her lovely breasts, so he didn’t complain. “Problem?” he asked, cupping one breast and weighing it in his hand with a gentle squeeze.
She leaned in to his touch. “Just a planning meeting, I think. I guess Nico’s decided what he wants to do.”
“I know what I want to do.” He tugged her close enough to close his lips over her breast.
“Do we have time?” she whispered, her fingers raking through his hair, holding him against her. He hummed agreement as he closed his teeth over the taut peak of her nipple. “Dragan,” she gasped, just as the phone rang again.
He groaned and lifted his head. “Lili again?”
Maeve was frowning at the damn phone. “No,” she said unexpectedly. “That’s the hotel phone, not my cell. Kato and Grace, maybe.” She reached to pick it up, but he took it from her hand.
“Yes?”
“Well, you’re in a good mood,” Kato responded.
“I was, until the phone rang.”
Kato laughed. “You don’t have to explain, brother. I understand.”
Dragan echoed his laugh. “Of course, you do.” All of them had celebrated well into the night after many a battle, wine flowing almost as freely as the women. But that no longer applied, he thought with great satisfaction. He and Kato both had found women to love, women who loved them back. It struck him that he and his brothers had all been freed by strong, beautiful women, who were destined to become their lifelong mates. And he thought how it must scrape at Sotiris’s soul to know that. It was a small satisfaction that would do nothing to lessen the pain and punishment they would deliver against that evil bastard. Sotiris would die screaming before this was over.
“Did Lili call you?” Kato asked.