Lifting his head, he brushed a kiss on the tip of nose. “Yes, you can, baby. You’ll love it. This is us; this is how we should always be.”

He withdrew completely and stilled. “Now I’m gonna make you scream my name.”

My eyes widened in anticipation and Romeo slammed into me—hard, direct, and rough. “Fuck, you feel amazin’.”

I squeezed my eyes shut and my nails dug farther into the flesh of his back. “Romeo!”

His hips pumped forward and his arms moved from underneath mine as my legs wrapped tightly around his waist, my hands holding his neck. He reached up and gripped our hands together, using the position to increase his speed and force, hammering into me, stealing my heart. Moans involuntarily slipped from my lips as an unbearable pressure built at the bottom of my spine.

Romeo’s chest lifted off mine, his legs widening to gain more traction, pushing me to open farther. “Grip my arms.”

Releasing our hands, Romeo took hold of my wooden headboard and I complied, my fingers wrapping around his wide biceps as he used his strength to slam harder into me over and over.

“Do you like it, baby? Do you like it this hard?” he growled.

My toes curled. “Yes. Yes…” Flames of desire licked across my skin and my thighs constricted.

“Let go, Mol. Let go now,” Romeo ordered as his knuckles turned white with the strength of his fists on my headboard, which cracked the paintwork on my wall.

I closed my eyes as my body hummed with ecstasy and on a scream, I let go.

Rome’s loud grunts increased as I tensed around him and my eyes fluttered open to see his mouth gape open, his eyes pulling tight and he released an exaggerated rumbled groan. Romeo’s heat spread within me and his torso crashed, almost bruising, against my chest.

Our breaths were fast in the aftermath, and I held tightly to his shoulders. When he finally lifted, the quiet serenity on his face knocked me breathless, and I ran my hand over his damp forehead and smiled.

“Hey, Mol.”

“Hey, you.”

He rewarded me with a smile, a full smile—he floored me at how stunning he looked. I wondered how it was possible that someone so attractive even existed… and he wanted me.

Dipping his head to my throat, he began to nip at the dewy skin. “You’re everythin’ I thought I could never have. Makin’ love to you, it was… you know… beyond…” He buried his head, unable to complete the sentence.

I arched my neck, giving him full access, and I stroked his hair soothingly. “Romeo… it was… beautiful.”

His moist lips dragged across my throat, latching onto my mouth, softly nibbling at my lips and sucking on the tip of my tongue as he gently he pulled out of me. I winced and sucked in a breath.

Romeo snapped his head up to study my face. “Are you sore?”

I tentatively drew my legs together and flinched. “Yes. I told you, I’m not very experienced with all this. I was practically a virgin. You’ve definitely left your mark!”

Smiling, he laid his head on my stomach, surprising me with his affection, and his fingers ran slowly along the juncture of my thighs. “I’m sorry it hurts you, baby, but I’m not gonna lie. I like that you feel thoroughly f**ked.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m glad you’re pleased with yourself.”

He lifted his head at my obvious sarcasm, eyes narrowing. “Oh, you have no idea, Shakespeare. Just wait ‘til you see what else I have in store for you.”

I trembled at his words and the knowing gleam in his expression showed me that he was satisfied with my reciprocated hunger.

Settling beside me, he pulled me to his embrace and played with my hair. “Tell me somethin’ that you’ve never told anyone.”

I stiffened and he wound his free hand in mine pre-emptively, imploring me to speak.

“Like what?”

He shrugged. “Anythin’. Just somethin’ no one else knows. Some deep secret or fear that you have.”

I stared into his hopeful eyes, and I boldly decided to do as he asked. I would share what hurt me most.

“I get so lonely that at times, I literally think it might kill me.”

Devastation engulfed his features and he rolled on top of me, urgently pressing his mouth on my lips, on my cheeks, on my forehead. “Molly, baby, you’re breakin’ my f**kin’ heart.”

I subtly wiped away a stray tear. “It’s true and I’ve never told anyone that until just now… until you. For me, it’s been the hardest thing. It’s amazing how loud the sound of silence can be screaming at you relentlessly, reminding you that you’re completely on your own in the world.”