His throbbing set off more quakes, and hers fired a new round through him. Val arched back and bellowed in ecstasy, as he pumped every last drop into her.
Collapsing against his neck, her body was jelly. “Holy wow.”
His heart was thundering against her cheek as he kissed her head.
“Never…” She chuffed. “Never did that before.”
“What, have sex in a hot tub?” There was a tease in his tone.
“Have an orgasm like that.” She was happy her face was hidden from his soulful eyes.
“Like what?” One hand was petting her back while the other felt her face.
“With someone inside of me,” she whispered.
“A first for me too.” His voice hitched with emotion.
“What?” She nuzzled his neck. “You were a virgin?”
He laughed. “Not exactly.”
“Then what?”
Pressing his cheek to hers, he kissed the edge of her face. “You took in all of me. It was…”
“Mad crazy hot.” She kissed him as bells sounded inside of her.
Chapter 5
‡
As they entered the living room, Adriana’s phone dinged. Retrieving it, she read the message and dropped it back on the end table without responding to the text.
Val wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug. His chin rested on her good shoulder. “Everything okay?”
She tipped her head into his. “Fine.”
“Let me guess.” His mouth grazed her ear and his breath on her neck tickled. “She is contrite.”
“Nope.” Adriana laughed nervously. “She’s mad.”
He released her. “At you?”
She hesitantly turned toward him. Brows drawn, his gaze narrowed. He was seething. She could practically feel the heat burning off of him. It shouldn’t matter how he felt, she’d just met him, but it did, more than she wanted to admit. So much for keeping this light.
“Why?” he pressed.
“She said she was worried, and that it wasn’t right that I didn’t tell her where I was.”
His jaw clenched so tightly a muscle in his cheek twitched. “She’s pissed because you aren’t at her beck and call.”
Adriana turned her palms up. “Why are you so angry?”
Val frowned. “I don’t understand why she’s your friend. She obviously doesn’t give a damn about you.” His accent was almost nonexistent again. Definitely pissed.
“I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.” Adriana forced herself to focus on him without blinking. He was furious, but there was something more in his eyes. “Who hurt you?” she whispered.
Val pivoted away from her. His head was down. “I just don’t want to see you taken advantage of.”
“It’s more than that. It’s personal. What happened to you?” She rested her hand on his back. His back was warm knotted steel.
He seemed almost on the verge of answering her but then checked himself.
“Why does it matter?”
Adriana wrapped her arms around her waist. “Talk to me.”
His expression softened, as he turned toward her and the look in his eyes was heart-rending. He clasped her waist and pressed her hips to his. Edging her chin up, he kissed her tentatively.
Adriana pushed into him, wanting the full pressure of his lips and tongue. He stroked her with an exquisite skill that shattered her ability to reason. It was one of his wicked kisses that made her body go liquid. Val brushed the backs of his fingers against her cheek and a soft sigh escaped her.
Adriana’s heart was beating erratically. She opened her eyes and stepped back a bit, her tone flattened with resignation. “I gotta go.”
“No.” He looked stricken. “Please, stay.”
Not trusting her voice, she shook her head and started toward the stairs again.
Val clasped her hand, pivoting her. “Don’t.”
“I have to. This was… But I can’t stay.” It’s too much already.
“Please.” He hugged her.
It was a mistake to let him embrace her. Being in his arms made her stomach tighten in knots, and all her resolve evaporated quickly. Every instinct in her wanted to melt into him. She forced herself away. She had to go or
Alaska Angelini
Cecelia Tishy
Julie E. Czerneda
John Grisham
Jerri Drennen
Lori Smith
Peter Dickinson
Eric J. Guignard (Editor)
Michael Jecks
E. J. Fechenda