His protective instincts were strong. Not only when it came to Ramie but when it came to his family as well. The idea of sitting back and loosening his tight hold on either of them went against who and what he was. But if he didn’t learn to do just that, he would very likely lose Ramie.

Maybe not right away but eventually she’d tire of his authority and control.

“I understand,” he murmured. “I get it, Ramie. I do. But we’re going to just have to agree to disagree when it comes to your supposition that you aren’t strong or courageous. This is one area I refuse to back down over. I don’t know of anyone, man, woman or child, who could so stoically endure all you have for the last decade.”

She lifted her head, raw emotion swirling in her smoky, storm-colored eyes.

“But that’s just it, Caleb. I haven’t stoically endured. God, I wish I had or that I could. The problem is I feel too much. I absorb too much. It’s wrecked me more times than I can count. And just when I finally reach a point where I think things will return to some semblance of normalcy again I’m pulled right back into a world of pain and death and misery.”

His hand threaded through her hair, and he stroked her scalp through the tresses in an effort to soothe her.

“Shhh, I understand, baby. Stop beating yourself up. It does no one any good. I’d rather talk about the fact that you just admitted that I was the reason you want more—better,” he amended.

“I do. You are,” she whispered. “But I’m afraid to dream. I never have good dreams, Caleb. Only bad. Just once I want something good and wonderful.”

He wrapped his arm around her waist and then rolled her underneath him. His lips met hers in a heated rush, his tongue sliding over hers and tasting.

As he lifted his head, their lips parting, their gazes locked and held.

“I’ll give you good dreams, Ramie. And I’ll hold you during the bad. And we’ll dream the good together.”

Her gaze was intent, seeking and searching, testing the veracity of his vow.

And then her eyes softened, some of the darkness chased away, sunlight replacing summer storm clouds.

“Dream the good,” she murmured. “I like that.”

His head lowered to take possession of her mouth. Even as he kissed her, his hand slid underneath her shirt, his palm splayed over her belly and then slid upward to cup one breast. He brushed his thumb over her nipple, coaxing it to a rigid peak.

Gently he divested her of the rest of her clothing and then did the same to himself before covering her body with his own.

“Tonight I want you to only dream of me,” he murmured between kisses. “And for you to go to sleep feeling loved and protected. Because I do love you and I will protect you, baby.”

She arched her body into his, craving his warmth and touch. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and returned his kiss, deepening it and responding passionately.

“I need you so much, Caleb,” she whispered, yearning evident in her voice.

“I need you every bit as much. I need you to believe that, Ramie. If you believe nothing else.”

“I do,” she said, her voice aching with emotion. “Make love to me. Show me what you feel for me.”

His kisses grew more heated, more urgent as his big body moved over hers, parting her thighs with his knee. He bent his dark head to her br**sts, tonguing them until they puckered and tiny goose bumps dotted her torso.

He kissed her neck, sucking at her earlobe, sending shivers cascading over her skin. He left no part of her untouched, unloved. He took his time, making her feel utterly cherished.

Then to her surprise, he turned her over and nibbled at her exposed nape and then licked a path down her spine that caused her to tremble uncontrollably. He nipped playfully at her bu**ocks and then kissed the small of her back, sucking lightly at the spot he’d licked.

He reached for a pillow and then lifted her enough to put it underneath her pelvis, elevating her behind so that he had better access to her pu**y.

He played for a while, driving her insane with his probing fingers. He alternated between stroking the damp skin and gently thumbing her throbbing clitoris and sliding a finger inside her, pressing against her most sensitive spots.

She was mindless under his ministrations, her fingers digging into the sheets and holding on as the storm overtook her.

A gasp escaped her when he lifted her just enough to fit his c**k to her opening and then slowly, with reverence, he pushed into her from behind. He was so much bigger this way and it took him several attempts before he gained full depth.

She moaned at the fullness, how she stretched to accommodate his width. He paused when he was all the way in.

“You okay?” he asked in a strained tone.

“Yes, God, yes! Please don’t stop.”

“I have no intention of going anywhere,” he ground out.

He withdrew then and slowly pushed inward once more, eliciting another groan from her. She needed more. So much more. She didn’t want him to be gentle right now. She wanted everything he could give her. She didn’t want him to treat her like she was breakable.

She bucked upward, trying to tell him without words what she wanted—what she needed.

He responded to her silent plea and began to thrust harder, deeper, until her need was a desperate, tangible thing.

His fingers dug into her hips, lifting her higher to meet his thrusts. He began to move fast and furious, driving them both to the brink of insanity.

“I want you with me, Ramie.”