Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 60848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
“Open your eyes,” Tiny whispered. “Look at me when you come. Know who’s giving you this.”
I hadn’t realized I’d closed them. I forced my eyes open to find him watching me with such intense focus, such overwhelming tenderness that it almost pushed me over the edge instantly. His pupils were dilated, his breathing harsh, his movements becoming less controlled as he neared his own release.
“You’re beautiful,” he said, his voice strained. “So beautiful, Penny.”
The orgasm that hit me was both terrifying and beautiful. I screamed and Tiny’s hoarse shout was nearly as loud. The pleasure broke over me in waves, my body arching and trembling beneath him. I cried out again, unable to contain the intensity of the sensation. His body shuddered powerfully against mine, inside mine, as we rode the wave of pleasure together.
For several minutes, neither of us moved. I thought his weight on top of me would feel suffocating or, at the very least, be pretty damned uncomfortable. But I could breathe just fine and I loved how his weight pressed me into the mattress beneath me. I sighed against him happily, going completely limp. I felt his heart thundering against my chest, matching the frantic rhythm of my own. Slowly, carefully, he lowered himself to the side, keeping one arm wrapped around me to draw me against him. I turned willingly into his embrace, my body still trembling with aftershocks.
We lay tangled in the sweat-dampened sheets, my head nestled against his chest, his massive arm draped protectively across my waist, the other wrapped around my body holding me against him like he never wanted to let me go.
“You OK?” he asked after a while, his voice a low rumble in the quiet room.
I nodded against his chest, too content to form words just yet. I felt his lips press against the top of my head, then move to my temple, my cheekbone, my shoulder. Tiny kisses, gentle and reverent, as if he was mapping my skin, committing it to memory. “More than OK. I can never remember being this…” I searched for the right word while my brain had gone on hiatus a long damned time ago. “Contented? Like the worst is behind us?” I took a breath, smiling up into his concerned face. Reaching up, I stroked his bearded cheek. “Like I’m finally where I belong.”
He shifted slightly, adjusting our position so he could place soft kisses along my collarbone. The tenderness of the gesture after such intense passion made my chest tighten with emotion. His beard tickled my skin, but I didn’t mind. The slight scratch of it was just another reminder that this was real, that he was real.
“Sex was never something I looked forward to.” I admitted quietly. “It never felt anything like that, from start to finish.”
He pulled back slightly to look at me, his expression serious. “Like what?”
I frowned, struggling to find the words to explain. “Safe,” I finally said. “I felt safe tonight, even when I wasn’t in control. Even when you were…” I gestured vaguely, feeling my cheeks warm. “You didn’t hurt me. You did everything you could to not hurt me.”
Understanding dawned in his eyes, followed by a flash of anger that I knew wasn’t directed at me. He pulled me closer, pressing his lips to my forehead. “That’s how it’s supposed to be,” he said firmly. “Always. You should never feel afraid with someone who claims to love you.”
Love. The word hung in the air between us, neither acknowledged nor denied. I wondered if he meant to say it, if he realized what he’d implied. From the sudden stillness of his body, I suspected he had.
“Sorry,” he murmured. “I didn’t mean to --”
“It’s OK,” I interrupted, placing my palm against his chest, feeling his heart beat steady and strong beneath my hand. “I know what you mean.”
“No,” he muttered. He sounded like he was talking to himself more than me. “I don’t really think you do.” He sighed, relaxing slightly. “I just want you to know that you deserve to feel safe. You and the girls.”
I nodded, settling more comfortably against him. His body was like a furnace, radiating heat that seeped into my bones. For the first time in years, I felt myself truly relaxing, the hypervigilance that had become second nature finally, blissfully quiet.
Neither of us spoke for a long moment. I thought maybe he’d gone to sleep, so I tested him. “Tiny?” My voice was a thread of sound.
“Yeah, baby?” His voice was rough. Either from sleep or his shouts during sex I had no idea.
“I was kind of hoping you were asleep.” I had no idea why I said that, but once I had I knew he’d want to know why. I figured now was as good a time as any.
He chuckled. “Figured. Give me two minutes, honey. I need to clean up, then you will tell me what’s on your mind.” I looked up at him, and he gave me a serious look. “You will.”