They both groaned. She wasn’t sure what he was thinking, but she knew that she loved the way he filled her. Deeply, completely. She shifted to draw him in deeper, then drew back her knees and wrapped her legs around his waist.

“I’ve been waiting for this,” he told her. “You have no idea.”

“I can guess,” she teased as she traced her fingers down his back. “It’s been a long time.”

His dark gaze settled on her face. “This is about you, Shelby. Not about getting off. I want to be clear.”

Because she trusted him, she believed him and smiled. “Then what are you waiting for?”

He took her at her word, drawing out and then filling her again. The delightful friction stimulated already excited nerves into a quivering state. It didn’t take long for her breathing to match his. She gave herself over to the moment, to the feel of him going in and out, deeper and faster. The pressure built and she bore down to get as much of him inside as possible.

She rotated her hips and pushed from the inside every time he surged in. His body tensed and she knew he was close. The thought of his release excited her and she arched her body. That brought the head of his penis in contact with some deep place that immediately began to burn with an arousing hum of want.

She gasped and he thrust in again, just as deeply.

“Oh, yes! Like that.”

He thrust in just a little deeper and she felt herself going over the edge. It was different from before—it was from the inside rather than the outside. The contractions of her muscles were more in her belly. She grabbed his hips, urging him to keep the rhythm going. He kept pace with her for a few more seconds, then he shuddered his release and groaned her name.

She had no idea how many minutes they lay there, tangled, trying to catch their breath. Aidan finally moved off her and reached for a tissue. When he’d gotten rid of the condom, he rolled back on his side and looked at her.

She had no idea what he was going to say. What she didn’t expect was him to start laughing. But the combination of relief and happiness was contagious and she began to giggle, then laugh. He collapsed back and she snuggled up next to him. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.

“Well, damn,” he murmured.

“I knew we’d be great together.”

He kissed her forehead. “We are that.”

“Friends with benefits,” she told him.

“Wasn’t that a movie? Or a book?”

“Probably. But it’s still what we are. We can make it work. You’ll see.” She half sat up. “Unless this was a one-time thing.”

He looked at her for a long time, then smiled. “Do you really see me being able to resist you again?” He pulled her on top of him and kissed her. “Now, for round two.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

AIDAN HAD TO admit it—he felt good. Better than good. He’d awakened with that feeling of smug contentment combined with being a god. He was the man. Conqueror of worlds, or at the very least, conqueror of his world and pleasurer of Shelby.

They’d spent the rest of the night together. After their second amazing session of lovemaking, they’d surfaced long enough to dress, collect Charlie and grab some take-out for dinner, then had spent the evening snuggled together on his sofa before retreating to the bedroom to continue putting a dent in his condom supply.

He leaned over and absently rubbed Charlie’s ears. “Hey, guy,” he murmured. “How you feeling?”

Charlie wagged his tail.

“Yeah? Me, too.”

Aidan leaned back in his chair. Part of him was still concerned that everything could fall apart now that they’d crossed the line, but he wasn’t about to feel anything close to regret. Being with Shelby had been great. Right.