The deep rumble of his laughter has my stomach clenching.
“From the feel of you”—he runs the tip along the seam between my legs—“I’d say you like eggin’ me on.”
“Rex, please, just . . . I can’t take anymore. Stop teasing and take me.”
His hand slides up my spine to my hair where he grabs a fist full. “Anything for you.” He braces his free hand against my hip and slams inside me.
Overwhelmed with fullness and the power behind his domination, my arms shake to hold my weight.
I’ve always been aware of Rex’s power over me. My entire life he’s owned everything from my thoughts to my will to survive. I lived through abusive parents and a mental institution all so I could see him again. But when he exercises his control over me, I finally feel safe, taken care of because I’m finally within the power of the one person who owns my heart.
“You feel beautiful. So damn soft.” He pulls back and thrusts into me again. “Talk to me.”
“More.”
“Damn, Gia.” He leans forward and kisses my back. “You were fucking made for me, you know that?”
“Yes.” I press back against him and his hand comes down in a quick slap against my ass. Stinging pleasure shoots straight between my legs. “Rex, I’m close.”
He powers into me again. “I’m right there with you, Gia.”
Yeah, he is. He always has been.
We meet each other thrust for thrust. His hands alternate from gripping shows of domination to the stinging slaps that shoot straight to my core. My head swirls and my vision swims as ecstasy powers through me.
Bright light flashes behind my eyes and bolts of pleasure fire through me. I whimper through the powerful release that consumes me. His fingers dig into my skin and he growls, falling into his orgasm right behind mine. Slowly coming back, my legs give out, but his arm wraps around my waist to hold me up.
We’re breathing heavy, still connected, and he lifts my upper body where I sag back into his arms.
“I fucking love you, Gia.”
I smile through my exhaustion. Our lovemaking, as unconventional as it is, always sucks me dry and leaves me exhausted and sated. “I fucking love you too, Rex.”
He pulls out and scoops me up in his arms. Kicking his jeans from his ankles so he can walk, he takes me to the bed and lays me down. He moves to my feet and slips off my shoes, rubbing each one until I’m nearly asleep.
“It’s midnight.”
I blink and force my eyes open. “Hmm?”
His warm gaze meets mine, and a carefree smile lights his face. “It’s Christmas.”
A spark of excitement wakes me and I sit up. “It’s Christmas.”
He nods and jumps up to snag some clothes from his dresser, tossing me a shirt and pulling on a pair of flannel sleeping pants.
I pull the shirt over my head. “Presents!”
He grabs my hand and we race to the tree. I go for the gift I hid there earlier today, and he reaches for the one he shoved between branches. I sit on the ground, tucking my legs to the side, and he places a square box wrapped in gold paper and a red ribbon in my lap.
Emotion crawls up my throat. “Did you wrap this?”
He sits down beside me and runs a hand through his messy black hair. “Um, would it make it less meaningful if the answer’s no?”
I shake my head, afraid to speak and give away how close I am to crying.
“I mean you’ve seen my tree decorating skills. Present wrapping might have to wait ’til next year.”
I start by sliding off the velvet ribbon, but excitement takes over halfway through, and I can’t get to the present fast enough. I rip through the paper, and even though Rex laughs at my impatience, I don’t care. I’ve gotta see what it is!
Once I get down to the box, I rip off the lid and send it flying. My hand goes to my mouth as I stare at the gift.
A single square diamond hangs from a silver chain. I move to touch it but recoil, afraid of tarnishing its beauty.
He laughs. “It’s okay, Gia. You can touch it.” He takes the box from my hands and slips the necklace from it. “I didn’t know how big of a diamond I should get. I had to ask Raven. I hope that’s okay.” He moves behind me and I gather my hair to the side while he secures it around my neck. “I figure that’s what sisters are for, right?”
Once it’s on, I hold the pendant to my chest, and tears flood my eyes and spill down my cheeks.
He wipes them away. “Ah shit, baby. Don’t cry.” He leans in and kisses me soft and sweet.