“No one ever left a naked photo on my locker,” he says with a pout. “I feel left out.”
“Perv.” I lean my head back and pucker my lips. He doesn’t disappoint with the kiss he lays on me. “Thanks for being outraged on my behalf.”
“I wasn’t kidding before,” he says. “Someone is trying to hurt you. And I love you. That means they have to die.”
“You love me?”
He frowns and then scoffs. “Of course, I love you. Have I been alone the past few weeks?”
“You haven’t said it.” I snuggle closer and nuzzle my nose into the crook of his neck. “And for the record, I love you, too. I always have, Rafe. I pushed you away, over and over again, but all along, I knew you were the one for me. There will never be anyone else for me.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“Really?” I raise a brow. “Or what?”
“You don’t want to know.” He slings me over his shoulder and carries me to the bed, my head coming inches from hitting the doorframe.
“You almost just killed me.”
“Nah, I missed by a mile.”
I laugh and then squeal when he drops me unceremoniously onto the mattress.
“You’re totally a caveman.”
“Yes. Rocco carry Annika.”
I giggle and scurry away when he reaches for me.
“I need a hot shower and some food. I’m starving. Then you can have your way with me.”
“I think we need a compromise in this situation,” Rafe says.
“No. I said what I said.”
“How are we supposed to have any kind of healthy relationship if you’re not willing to grow and respect our differences of opinion?”
I shake my head at him. “Why do you sound like a shrink now? I’m getting in the shower.”
“Fine. If you love shower time that much, I’ll compromise with you and wash your back. I’ll even let you stand in the hot water so you don’t get too cold. I’m a giver.”
“You’re weird this afternoon.” I laugh and bounce out of his grasp as I hurry back to the bathroom. “And I don’t need you to shower with me.”
“Stop begging. It’s embarrassing. I already told you I’d shower with you.”
“You’re such a pain in the ass.”
“But I’m your pain in the ass.” He pulls me to him, the laughter fading as he lowers his lips to mine. “And I’m going to make you forget your name tonight, my love.”
“Well, when you put it like that, I guess you can shower with me.”
“Great. Will you share the hot water spray?”
“You said I could have it.”
“Don’t be selfish. It’s all about compromise, remember?”
“I’m reserving water privileges until I see how good of a job you do at washing my back.”
“Oh, honey, I’m very good. There’s no need to worry about that.”
Chapter 17
~Annika~
“It’s still dark,” I whisper when Rafe kisses my neck and drags his hand down my arm. I was lost in a very pleasant dream, and I’m not ready to wake up. “Not morning yet.”
“We have to get an early start,” he reminds me, his voice thick with sleep. “Big day today.”
“Five more minutes.” I burrow my face into the pillow, but he kisses down my bare spine, and little licks of pleasure spark over my skin, making the dream slip from my mind and all of my attention shift to Rafe. The man is insatiable. It’s like he just can’t get enough of me.
I’m not complaining.
Making love with Rafe Martinelli is the delight of my life.
As I turn over to face him, the covers slip down, and the cool air from our room blows over my skin. The combination of cool air and Rafe’s warm skin send goose bumps over me, waking me fully from sleep. My legs tangle with his, and his already-hard cock presses to my thigh impressively.
“How are you already awake and ready for this?”
“Need you,” he whispers against my neck. “More than I need to breathe.”
“I’m right here.” I skim my nose over his shoulder and sigh in delight when his rough hand closes over my breast. His thumb brushes back and forth over my nipple, making it come to life.
It’s a slow, sweet coupling, full of heavy sighs and light nibbles. Whispers.
And just as he teases my already-slick opening with the head of his cock, he looks into my eyes, the first light of dawn casting grey over his face. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. All I’ve ever needed, A.”
Slowly, so slowly I have to bite my lip, he slides inside me and frames my face with his hands. I can feel the emotion coming off him in waves, and it absolutely takes my breath away.
“Your heart matches mine,” I reply softly and take one of his hands in both of mine, linking our fingers as I hold his gaze. “We’re linked, bonded. Together. And no matter what life throws at us, that will never change, Rafe.”
“God, I love you so much.” His mouth closes over mine, and his hips begin moving. But nothing about our joining is rushed. Nothing is urgent. It’s the purest form of lovemaking there is. As intimate as it gets.
When we were young, we made love often, lost in each other. But now that we have our second chance, it’s so much…more.
More intense.
More meaningful.
“Mine,” he whispers. “Open your eyes.”
I comply and find him watching me with those fiery blue depths.
“You’re mine, Annika. Today and every day that I walk this Earth. You’re the only one for me. Do you understand?”
“Of course, I understand. Because I feel exactly the same.” My hand dives into his hair, my fingers tangling in the strands as I hold on, enjoying every moment with this man that I love so much.
With his forehead pressed to mine, he picks up speed and sends us both over that delicious crest into oblivion, where I feel so connected to him, I’m not sure where I end and he begins.
We are one.
We always have been.
“Mine,” he says again before kissing me so tenderly, it brings tears to my eyes. “Why are you crying?”
“Because I thought this, you, were lost to me. And this is all the sweeter because of it.”
“I’m never letting you go again,” he promises and kisses my hand. “Ever. If something were to happen, and our families forbade it, we’d leave them. I will not be without you, Annika. I can’t. I lived through that torture for far longer than any man should have to. I’ll do everything in my power to always have you by my side.”
“I know.” I kiss him sweetly. “I know it. And I’m right here with you. Nothing’s ever going to tear us apart again.”
He rolls to the side, unlinking us, and then pads into the bathroom.
“Sun’s coming up,” he calls as he starts the shower. “Pop wants to get an early start.”
“Yeah.” I sigh, a little sad that our wonderful moment is over. But there will be more.
A lifetime of moments, just like this one and better.