“You’re injured.”

He took hold of her hand and directed it to where he ached for her. “I’m not injured here.”

“Nick...”

“Samantha...”

“I don’t want to hurt you,” she said as she took the hint and stroked him.

Barely able to breathe let alone talk with her hand working its magic, he said, “You won’t.”

She moved carefully to straddle him and bent to kiss him. Her hair rained down upon him and he grasped handfuls to keep her close. “Don’t move,” she said as she shifted ever so slightly to take him in.

“Yes,” he whispered, moving his hands to her hips and then up to cup her breasts.

“You’re moving.”

“Can’t help it.”

“Tell me if it hurts.”

“Nothing hurts, baby. I swear. Well, one thing hurts, but you’re taking care of that.”

Sam laughed as she moved ever so slowly, so slowly he thought he’d go mad from the need for more. But he kept his promise and let her take the lead.

“I wish you could see how beautiful you are right now,” he said. Her hair had gotten long recently, long enough to nearly cover her breasts, which peeked out from behind the damp curls. Parted lips, flushed cheeks and the gentle sway of her hips had him on the verge of release in no time at all. He forced himself to hold on, to give her time to get there too.

Knowing she needed to sleep more than he needed this, he reached between them to coax her.

“You’re moving,” she said on a gasp.

“Shhh.” He kept up the insistent press on the tight bundle of nerves that throbbed under his fingers and reached up with his free hand to bring her down for another kiss.

She moaned against his lips and turned away from the kiss as she reached the peak.

Nick was right behind her, his arms tight around her as he thrust into her, the pain in his side nearly obliterating the pleasure of his release. It had been worth it, he thought as she settled on top of him. Surrounded by the scent of lilac and vanilla, the scent of his Samantha, Nick was content—for now anyway. He’d long ago accepted that if they both lived forever, he’d never get enough of her.

“I shouldn’t be lying on top of you.”

“Don’t you dare move. I love it.”

“Mmm, I love you.”

“I love you too. Get some sleep, babe.”

“Gonna move in a minute.”

“Okay.”

She fell asleep right where she was, with him still buried deep inside her, right where he most wanted to be.

He brushed the hair back from her face and kissed her forehead. Any pain he might feel from his injuries was nothing compared to the magic he experienced whenever she was in his arms. She was all he needed, all he’d ever need.

Chapter Nine