I take the stairs two at a time, already feeling like it’s been too long since I’ve seen her, touched her, kissed her. I find her sprawled on her back, her hair wild and fanning the pillows, the sheets skimming her waist. Her skin tone against the crisp white is utter perfection. I take my phone out of the pocket of my trousers before I toss them in the washing basket, and I check the screen as I go back to the bed. I stop at the edge. Stare down at my sister’s name. Fuck. I clear her missed call and file that problem away to deal with another time.

Then gently pull the covers down Ava’s body, exposing her completely, and crawl onto the bed, putting myself between her legs, my chest blanketing hers. Peace is mine again. The feel of her boobs squished against me? Pure bliss. Her breaths warming my face? Total gratification. The feeling inside of me? Absolute, complete, earth-shifting, universe-shaking love.

I cradle her head with my arms, nuzzle her nose, shift my hips a fraction to make room for my instant morning glory, and it falls perfectly to the soft, warm place between her thighs. Complete heaven.

Her eyes blink their way open, and I see her mind slowly figure out where she is and with who.

“Morning, lady,” I whisper, feeling her body tighten beneath mine, every limb stretching as best it can with me restraining her.

“Morning, yourself.” Her voice is rough and throaty, and the steady beats of her heart against my chest increase. Instant want. Instant need.

One roll of my hips puts me inside her, and I drop my head for a moment, my teeth gritting, the feeling . . . out of this world. This. Every morning, this.

I force some life into my muscles and lift my heavy head, retreating and driving forward again slowly, watching her immediately coming undone. She holds on to my arms tightly, gazing up at me.

“I love sleepy sex with you.” Unwilling to break our connection, I secure her against me and roll to my back, and she hisses as she settles above me, straddling my waist. Her chin drops to her chest. She’s struggling with the position. Struggling to accept me. Not for long. Soon, I’ll have had her in every way and position known to man, and that sweet place of hers will know nothing but me. It will accept nothing but me.

“Ride me, Ava.”

Her hands meld to the muscles of my chest. “I’m in charge?” she asks, a certain level of delight in her tone. She is one hundred percent in charge. On the odd occasion that I’m not.

She senses that, and I feel she gets a kick out of me holding the power. But I also know she’ll fight me on it. “Do your worst, baby.” And, fuck, she could do some damage.