As she and Hill stepped through the doorway into the bedroom, she let go of that old story, freeing that ghost who’d haunted her for so long. And silently she whispered to that little girl, I’m sorry. None of it was your fault. But you’re going to be okay.
Andi walked backward into the bedroom, letting Hill unhook her bra and toss it to the floor. Yes. She was definitely going to be okay.
By the time Hill tumbled Andi onto the bed, she was fully naked against the dark-green comforter, her thoughts zeroing in on the man in front of her and her body buzzing with arousal. Hill flicked on a lamp, and she watched him watch her as he finished undressing.
She loved the privilege of seeing him completely bared. Exposing himself like that to her had once been so hard for him. He’d perceived his disability as a weakness, as something to hide. Even after they’d gotten together officially, it had still taken him a month before he let her see him in the wheelchair he sometimes used when his leg was aching too much from the prosthesis.
But now, now he trusted her to see every private part of him, body and soul. It was a gift she didn’t receive lightly. She only wished that he could see what she saw when she looked at him. Strong shoulders, beautiful body, soulful face, a thousand places she wanted to kiss and touch and taste. Every bit of him turned her on.
Hill gave her a sly smile as he sat on the edge of the bed and removed his prosthesis. “I love how you look at me.”
“Like I want to eat you?” she guessed.
He laughed and stretched out next to her, sliding his big hand over her belly. “Something like that.” His hand drifted down between her legs, his fingers finding her slick and ready. “The feeling’s mutual.”
She bit her lip and hummed her approval as he dipped a finger inside her, the sensation of his callused finger sending tingling awareness radiating through her. He was always so focused and precise when it came to her pleasure, like a musician learning every nuance of an instrument. What will this do? What sound will this elicit? What music will this make? He’d also helped her unwind the knotted emotions she’d had about sweet sex, about romantic words in bed. She could enjoy the full range of options now because she trusted Hill without reservation. Romance was no longer a weapon of mass destruction in her world. Slowly, patiently, he’d shown her how good things could be—one sexy experiment at a time. She was more than happy to be his subject of study.
In fact, she was conducting her own experiments as well—a thesis on what made her sexy, quiet man lose all that artful calm. Even after more than a year together, she was still discovering new tricks and ways to drive him crazy. As he teased her, ramping up her arousal, she reached out and wrapped her hand around the smooth, velvet length of his cock, unable to go another second without touching him. She stroked him slowly, loving how thick and hot he felt in her hand, and he let out a soft gasp when she circled her thumb along his slit, spreading the fluid there.
Hill slipped another finger inside her and kissed along her neck as she continued to stroke him. She closed her eyes, relishing the lazy luxury of not having to rush. They could tease each other all night if they wanted. They had nowhere to go, nowhere to be, no pretenses to cling to. This bed was theirs. She could sleep next to him now. Wherever the finish line landed, they’d end up curled together under the covers tonight. This was their life now.
They’d earned this.
So they were damn sure going to enjoy it.
The ceiling fan above her whirled softly on low, sending a cool breeze over her hot skin as Hill continued to dip his fingers into her, his thumb finding her clit and his mouth finding her breast. Her hips rocked in rhythm against him, and she let herself explore him blindly with her hand—cupping him, teasing him, wrapping her fingers around his cock and then backing off when she sensed he was getting too close to the edge.
He did the same for her, bringing her to the brink and then easing her back down, until she was so wound up that her heels were pressing into the mattress and her back was arched. Begging words started to fall past her lips without her permission. She’d wanted to prove she could wait, prove she could be patient, but Hill was playing dirty.
He usually did.
“Please.” Her hand slid off him, her brain no longer able to multitask. “Please.”
He moved his fingers more quickly, his thumb working her sensitive flesh, giving her more pressure. Then, he was shifting on the bed and the blissful wet heat of his mouth landed on the spot where his thumb had been. She cried out, the shock of contact so delicious and overwhelming that she nearly launched herself off the bed. But Hill put a hand on her thigh and held her in place.
Mine, the action whispered.
He gave her pleasure with the focus of a man who had one mission in life, and before she could beg him again, her orgasm crashed through her like the crescendo of a symphony—all cymbals and screaming violins and rumbling drums. She cried out in panting, gulping sounds as she rode the wave of sensation. All thought blinked out of her mind, leaving only clenching muscles and heat and bliss behind.
She grappled for Hill, her fingers digging into the thick muscles of his shoulders. “Need you,” she gasped. “Now.”
She didn’t have to beg this time. Hill quickly shifted on the bed, positioning himself above her and sliding deep, her orgasm still coursing through her. The feel of his cock, like heated steel inside her, was everything she needed in that moment. Her body tightened around him, the pressure and fullness ramping up her orgasm further. Hill murmured unintelligible words and began to rock into her with slow, grinding thrusts.
She’d learned the man had staying power, but right now, she wanted to feel him go over along with her. They’d ditched condoms after she’d gotten on the pill, and she loved the feeling of him coming inside her, the heat of his release, the sounds he made when it happened. She lived for that moment they were both lost to each other and riding the same high.
She dug her nails into his back, sweat glazing both of their bodies, and she kissed him. Hill groaned into her mouth with a primal sound and picked up his pace. The controlled, measured man was letting go. He buried deep and whispered her name, and then they were both launched into the stratosphere together. Clinging to each other, loving each other, promising each other.
Joined. For now. And soon, for always.
Afterward, both of them ended up splayed on their backs on the bed, wrung out and sated, and Andi couldn’t stop smiling. “I feel like I owe you brownies or something.”
Hill laughed and laced his fingers with hers. “That’s how we got into this mess. You brought me baked goods. I never had a chance.”
She pulled his hand up and kissed his knuckles. “I’m glad you opened the door to your pushy neighbor.”
He rolled onto his side and looked down at her. “Best decision I ever made. Even if the brownies were terrible.”