Keep Me Safe: A Slow Burn Novel (Slow Burn Novels)

He surrendered to her pull, the roaring in his ears growing louder. He closed his eyes as color burst around him, sharp, explosive, his entire body drawn tight. He began thrusting hard and fast, the friction almost unbearable. So intensely pleasurable that he made a sound of agony through clenched teeth.

She went soft around him, her body molding sweetly to his. She let out a small hiccup into his mouth and then gasped, her breath hitching. Her fingers dug into his shoulders and she bucked upward, her cry sharp in the silence.

He pulled at her hair, tipped her head back while he devoured her mouth, consuming her like an addict in need of a fix. There was a violent need that consumed him, ricocheting up his spine and through his veins like a potent drug.

He surged forward, planting himself deep, holding there, his hips pressed hard into hers, their pelvises locked and undulating wildly. He dimly registered that he wasn’t wearing a condom. That he hadn’t even considered wearing a condom, and it was too late. His orgasm was unleashed like a wildfire, a furious storm that held him powerless in its grip.

She buried her face in his neck and held on tightly, her body shuddering wildly as her release broke over them in waves.

He’d never felt anything so beautiful in his life. Never held something so precious in his hands before. He whispered her name over and over, overcome by the power of their coming together.

His body slowed, riding hers like ocean waves. He couldn’t get enough of her. He was still hard and aching even after his release and reveling in the aftershocks. He gathered her tightly in his arms, rolling and bringing her on top of him.

She lay sprawled over him, her hair spilling like a curtain over his chest. He cupped her face in his palms, held her still for his kiss. Their tongues mated just as their bodies had. Twisting, turning, hot and wet.

Slowly her head lowered, her forehead touching his chest, the top of her head brushing his chin. He was still buried deeply within her. She pulsed around him, tugging rhythmically, pulling the last drops of his semen inside her body.

He’d never felt so complete in his life, and he had no idea how she felt.

He bunched up her hair in his fist and then relaxed his grip, stroking the soft curls against her head. Her chest heaved up and down, her entire body draped across his like a limp towel. She was warm and soft, so very feminine and delicate. He couldn’t resist touching her, gliding his fingers over her pale skin.

He raised goose bumps where he touched. They pimpled over her skin, raising the tiny hairs in their wake. He pressed his mouth to her neck, nuzzling softly with his lips.

“Did I hurt you?” he murmured.

She made a low humming sound and then shook her head, bumping it gently against his chin. “I never knew it could be like that,” she said in wonder. Her voice cracked and she lifted her head so she could look into his eyes.

He slid both hands down her slender back to cup her behind. She was astride him, still pulsing around his cock with little quivers that were like electric shocks to his system.

His hand went still on her rounded bottom. “I didn’t use a condom. I’m sorry. I’ve never been so caught up in the moment that I didn’t use protection.”

She shivered but didn’t immediately respond. Her vagina clenched wetly around him and he felt himself harden again. He hadn’t worn a condom the first time but he’d be damned if he made that mistake again.

Gently he turned her so they rolled to their sides. She snuggled against his body, her eyes closing as he withdrew from her liquid heat. He was immediately bereft of her warmth. He felt hollow and empty.

“You must be hungry,” he said. “You had nothing to eat since breakfast.”

She shuddered delicately. “I don’t think I could eat even if I was hungry.”

“You can’t afford to skip meals,” he pointed out. “You have to take better care of yourself, Ramie. If you won’t do it, I will.”

“Did they find her?” Ramie asked softly. “Did they catch him?”

Caleb tensed, his arm tightening protectively around her. “They found her. And no, they didn’t capture him.”

Her exhale was sharp. Her breaths hitched and stuttered from her lips.

“He’s going to keep killing,” she said painfully. “He wants me. He’ll trade me for future victims.”

“No!” Caleb exclaimed, fear gripping him by the throat. “Don’t even think it. There will be no trades. No deals. No negotiating with insanity. You’re staying here with me. Where I can be sure you’re safe and protected.”

“I can’t hide forever,” she protested.

“Can’t you?” he challenged. “I have resources you can’t imagine. I can make sure he never reaches you.”

“At what price? How many more women have to die because of his obsession with me? Maybe we should talk to the police about a trade. A setup. Give him what he wants.”

Panic slammed into his chest. He couldn’t force air into his lungs. He was holding her so tightly that he was likely bruising her. He forced himself to relax but rage burned through his gut, eating a hole in his stomach.

“There will be no trade,” he said tersely.

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