He was caressing her upper body while he talked, and she tried her best to listen to him. It was just so difficult when his hands felt so amazingly good. “How so? How do our differences make us right?”

His lips nibbled their way across the nape of her neck. “You’re a submissive and I’m a Dominant, right?”

“Mmm.” She tilted her head to give him better access.

“Two completely different beings, but they fit together only because they’re opposite.” He undid the button on her jeans and unzipped them. “Should I keep going?”

“Please.” His erection pressed against her butt, and she wiggled to get closer, pushing her jeans and panties down in the process. “Don’t stop.”

“Turn around. Look at me.”

She did, and as she watched, he slowly stripped his shirt off and stepped out of his jeans. He looked magnificent naked. Always had. His toned abs, strong arms, and sculpted calves spoke of a man who worked hard. The hint of a knowing smile on his face told her he knew exactly what to do with his body to make her feel good. Her gaze dipped lower. She licked her lips, remembering his taste.

“Another example,” he said, stroking himself. “The sight of you standing there makes me so hard.” He reached out and trailed a finger along her waist. “Whereas you”—the finger slipped between her legs and traced her wetness—“are soft.”

She shifted her leg, inviting him to go deeper. “Want you.”

“Wait.” He took a step back from her. “Get on the bed. On your back.”

She smiled. Even when they weren’t in a scene, he couldn’t help taking control during sex. That didn’t mean she couldn’t tease him a little.

Once she got on top of the bed, she lifted an eyebrow. “Like this?” She parted her legs. “Or like this?” She closed them again.

He walked toward her looking exactly like a tiger on the prowl, or more aptly, one who wanted to play with his prey. “Keep them open.”

His gaze was so intense and filled with desire, she didn’t want to disobey him. Without further argument or teasing, she let her knees fall so her legs were spread. He gave a low growl and joined her on the bed, near her feet.

Taking her left leg in his hands, he kissed the inside of her knee. “Every part of you was made for me. Made for me to kiss, bite, lick, and love.”

She buried her fingers in his hair. “When do I get to kiss, bite, lick, and love you?”

“Later.” He kissed and nibbled his way up her thigh. With a heavy sigh, he laid his cheek against her upper leg. “You can’t leave me again, Angel. I need you.”

Angel.

Her heart skipped a beat, and tears formed at the corners of her eyes. She tugged at his shoulders until he moved and covered her body with his. Holding his face, she made sure he was looking at her when she spoke. “I’m not going anywhere you aren’t.” It was difficult to talk with the lump in her throat. “I’ve lived without you long enough to know I don’t want to do it again.”

“I love you,” he whispered.

Tears slipped from her eyes. “I’ve always loved you. Always will.”

Their lips touched softly. Just barely brushing. She shivered under him, delighted to be with him like this again. For so long she’d thought it would never happen. And to hear him say those words. She trembled again.

“Are you cold?” he asked, misjudging her shiver.

“No.” She held tight to him. “Just blissfully happy.”

He kissed her again, not as soft this time. His mouth grew demanding, and she opened herself up for him. She’d missed his taste. The feel of him over her, his weight pressing into her.

She ran her nails across his back as his kiss grew more and more urgent. He moved his knee so it pressed between her legs. Her body throbbed with the need to have him claim her.

He broke away from the kiss, breathing heavily. “I need to be inside you. Now.”

She lifted her hips in invitation. “Please.”

He shook his head. “I wanted to take my time. Enjoy your body. Tease you for hours.”

“Later. There’s plenty of time for that later.”

He pushed up on his hands, and she saw his body tremble. “I don’t think I can be gentle.”

“I’ve never been a fan of gentle.” She dug her nails into his upper arm. “Take me. Use me hard.”

He studied her face as if judging the truth of her words. He must have found what he was looking for because, without a word, he slipped a hand between their bodies and pushed two fingers inside her.

“Yes.” She answered his unasked question with a half moan. “I’m ready for you.”

His penetration was hard and fast, and she clung to him as he pounded into her over and over. He’d been correct. There was nothing gentle in his use of her. It was almost punishing, and she relished it. With each thrust, she felt her guilt falling away until it disappeared completely.

She opened her eyes and found him watching her as he moved in and out of her body. She lifted a hand to cup his face and whispered, “Leave it.”

Leave the past, all of our mistakes, our should-have-beens, and our what-ifs. Leave them behind so that only you and I remain. And we are forever changed, but never broken.

“Leave it,” she repeated.

His body stiffened and he came with a yell. He thrust once more deep inside her, and her own climax followed.

Though he was still breathing heavily, he wrapped his arms around her, rolled them to their sides, and kissed her with an intensity that took what little breath she had away.

Chapter Seventeen

Three weeks later

No one dared try to tell them they were moving too fast. The way Dena saw it, they’d been moving too slowly and they had to make up for lost time. Though she regretted the years spent apart, they both agreed they were stronger as a result of them.

Tonight, though similar in many ways to that night so many years before, was different. She walked outside to where he waited under the maple trees in his backyard. Strings of lights were wrapped around the branches and provided just enough light for her to see him.

They’d thought about inviting a few people to join them tonight. But after discussing it, they opted to keep this special moment private. Experiencing the way Jeff was looking at her, Dena was pleased with their choice. What they were doing and feeling was too intimate, and she wanted to keep it between the two of them.