He was careful of her cuts, asked her if she was okay. She knew what he meant. Her heart skipped as she looked at him in the milky light. Their clothes were already scattered. She took in the ripples of lean muscle on his chest and arms. Damn, she thought. She could have stitches and she still wouldn’t want to stop now.
She nodded. “Don’t worry.” She draped her arms over his shoulders, heard the raggedness in her voice. How was she supposed to talk when she could hardly breathe? When her body was tingling, quaking for him to touch her. She managed a smile. “No holding back.”
He responded immediately, lowering her onto the bed, easing on top of her. Every touch, every caress, every kiss made her ache with wanting him. He left no inch of her, no part of her, untouched. As tender as he was, he was hard all over. She touched him everywhere, explored his body, touching, tasting. He was so controlled, so focused…until he wasn’t.
When he sank into her, she cried out, felt him try to ease up, to slow down, but it didn’t work—and she didn’t want it to. She grabbed hold of his hips and gave herself up to him and the sensations taking over her.
“Phoebe,” he breathed. “Phoebe…”
She heard the concern in his voice even as he didn’t slacken his pace, didn’t stop. “I’m okay.” She clutched him. “I love you, Noah.”
She barely got the words out before they both lost control. She’d never experienced anything like it before. Time seemed suspended. It was as if they were the only two people in the universe. She cried out with abandon, wrapped her legs around him as he drove into her one last time.
They collapsed together. She could feel his heart racing, his skin warm under her palms. She’d dreamed of mind-blowing sex with a man she loved but had convinced herself it would never happen.
And yet here she was, with Noah.
He turned onto his side and locked his eyes with hers. After a moment, he touched the curve of one finger to her cheek. “Why didn’t you tell me that you’d never—”
“Because it doesn’t matter.” She caught her breath. “Didn’t matter.”
He kissed her softly. “I’ll be more careful next time.”
She took his hand into hers and smiled. “I hope not.”
*
Noah enjoyed showing Phoebe the NAK offices. She wanted to see everything and talk to everyone, and she was interested in every detail of NAK’s work. He’d already met with his executive team and set up a formal meeting to redefine his role with the company.
Things were changing, because—well, things always changed.
And because of Phoebe. He loved talking to her. He loved listening to her, and making love to her. After two days together, he was as certain as ever that they belonged together. She was kind, intelligent, courageous and so damn beautiful.
She was also still at least a little afraid of what the changes loving him meant for her.
“I thought I could predict my future,” she said as she looked out at the view from his office windows. “But then you decided to dog sit Buster.”
“I knew Olivia had an idea of who my princess was.”
“If you hadn’t stayed in Knights Bridge, my swashbuckler would have remained a mirage.” She smiled at him. “But you’re no mirage.”
He expected he’d proved that over the past two days. He winked at her. “You’ve got that right, princess.” He stood next to her, slipping an arm around her waist. “My best friend is marrying one of your best friends. We’d have found each other.”
Phoebe leaned against his arm. “I can’t wait for Olivia and Dylan’s wedding. I love a happy ending.”
Noah kissed her on the top of her head. They’d showered together that morning, and he could still smell the shampoo she’d used on her hair. “Phoebe…” For the first time since she’d arrived in San Diego, he found himself struggling for the right words. He’d had an engagement ring delivered to his house at the winery. The timing didn’t feel too soon. It felt just right. Perfect, even. Finally smiled at her. “We’ll write our own happy ending.”
Her smile reached her eyes. “We already are.”
They headed down to the lobby together. They didn’t want to keep Daphne Stewart waiting. They’d take their time driving up the coast to his winery and enjoying their stay there.
Then they’d go back to Knights Bridge.