When my hair is dry, I turn the tables on him, blowing his hair dry. He watches me with amused eyes, his hands on my hips, until every hair on his handsome head is dry.
“Meredith.” He takes the dryer from my hand and sets it on the counter, then circles his arms around my waist and tips his forehead down to rest on mine.
“Yeah?”
“I love you.”
I grin and drag my fingertips down his face as he lays his lips on mine, gently sweeping them back and forth, nibbles the corner of my mouth, nuzzles my nose. My nipples pebble as his hands glide up to my ribcage, but he doesn’t move farther up to cup them. He continues to simply kiss me, our naked bodies aroused and pressed together, against the bathroom vanity. When he kisses my nose and forehead again, I drag my hands over his hips and am about to circle his hard, thick cock when he catches my wrists in his hands and holds me away.
“I want to touch you,” I whisper.
“Not yet.” He nuzzles my nose again, a small smile on his lips to soften the rejection. “I just want to kiss you.”
“Really?” I cock a brow and glance down at his cock. “That’s not what it looks like.”
Without another word, he turns and leads me back to the bedroom, lifts me onto the center of the bed and joins me. But instead of climbing on top of me and making love to me, he lies next to me, facing me, presses his hand to the small of my back and pulls me into him and claims my lips again with his, kissing me slowly. It’s lazy and gentle. Our legs tangle, I bury my fingers in his hair and hold on as he sweeps those amazing lips back and forth across mine, then slips his tongue in my mouth, as though I’m a delicacy he wants to nibble on.
I love the different facets of this man. He can be crazy with lust, as he was last night, and make me feel like if he doesn’t fuck me immediately he’ll die. Or he can be like right now. Taking his time, seducing us both, basking in the love we feel for each other.
His fingertips draw circles on my back, over my shoulder and down my ribs, and then follow the same path again, sending shivers through me.
“Cold?” he whispers and tugs the covers over us, completely covering us, heads and all, without missing a beat. I drag my foot up and down his leg, loving the way the soft hair feels against the arch of my foot. His cock is pressed against my lower belly, pulsing with his need. I shift slowly, hitch my leg over his hip and tilt my hips, filling myself with him, making us both gasp. He cradles my face in his hand, his mouth shaped like an O as I barely move but contract my muscles around him.
“I love you too,” I whisper. Our gazes hold, and we are connected in every way, from head to toe as we make slow, quiet love. “So much more than I can ever say.”
His hand glides down my neck, over my breast and side to anchor on my hip, guiding my small movements. The angle has the base of his cock pressed against my clit, and I bite my lip as I watch him, knowing I’m getting so close.
“You’re so fucking tight, Mer. God, so wet.” He bites his lip too, but doesn’t look away from me. “Are you close?”
“So close,” I whisper. “Oh God, Mark, I’m gonna—”
“That’s right.” His hand tightens on my hip and that’s all it takes to urge me over the edge. It’s the quietest we’ve ever been, the sweetest lovemaking, so easy and lazy, but I have a feeling it’s the most meaningful it’s ever been. For both of us.
He blinks slowly and follows me over the edge, trembling with his orgasm, but not making a sound as his body shivers, clenches, sweaty and tight. His hand slips around to cup my ass and his lips are on mine again, nibbling lazily.
“Mine,” he whispers against my lips.
***
“Nice of you to join us,” Luke says dryly as we make our way out onto the patio near the pool. The tables are shaded by wide, colorful umbrellas and brunch is being served.
“They’re in love. Leave them alone,” Brynna says with a grin.
“How is everyone feeling?” I ask as Mark holds my chair out for me and I pick up my menu. Jax leans over and kisses my cheek, then shoves his orange juice in my hand, which I thankfully consume in two gulps.
The whole clan is wearing sunglasses, which makes me laugh. Except for Logan, who has his trademark thick-rimmed glasses perched on his handsome nose. He winks at me.
“You’re not hung over?” Jules asks in surprise.
“I was a little, but I’m fine now. Nothing a shower and brushing my teeth didn’t fix.”
“And maybe a little sex,” Nic says with a wink. Matt kisses her temple and rubs his hand rhythmically up and down her back.
“So what’s happening today?” Dom asks before stuffing a big hunk of waffle dripping with syrup into his mouth.
“Lazy day,” Will says with a half smile. “I think we’re all recovering from last night.”
“I have a meeting,” Leo says quietly.
“What meeting?” Sam asks with a scowl.
“The guys want to go over a few potential songs for the next album.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal, but Sam is clearly not happy.
“No,” she says and shakes her head adamantly.
“No?” he echoes with a raised brow.
“No. We’re here to celebrate with our family, not to work. You work enough when we’re home.”
“It’s just for a few hours, Samantha.”
We all share glances with each other, quiet as Leo and Sam glare at each other. Mark tenses beside me, so I take his hand in mine and squeeze it reassuringly.
“What is your problem?” Sam finally demands.
“What are you talking about?” He pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs in exasperation.
“You’re moody. You work all the time. You think I don’t feel you pulling away from me?” Her voice is edged with panic now, and Luke looks like he’s about to speak up when Leo’s hand drops and his head whips up to stare at her.
“Are you kidding me? I think we need to have this conversation later, when we’re alone.”