After locking my parents’ back door, he climbed the stairs and settled me in the bed. He took off my shoes and pulled off my jeans before covering me with the sheet and blankets.

I rolled over and pressed my body to his. “Love me, Simon.”

His lips slid up my jaw to my lips. Our lips and arms clung to each other—our limbs a tangle. I ran my hands back up to his hair and giggled when the leather of my gloves caught in the strands. I pulled them off with my teeth.

They fell to the bed as I tunneled my fingers back into his hair. Simon continued his assault on my jawline and throat. I hummed, enjoying the leashed urgency in his touch.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Ella. Neither you nor the baby.”

“You won’t.”

I moved my hands to his abdominals, sliding my palms up his stomach and chest. He heaved a breath, his eyes meeting mine. The desire there in those hazel depths flared brighter—as did his love.

I needed that look, the soft touch of his lips and finger tips.

“Don’t make me wait,” I whispered. “I need you.”

“I need you, too, El.”

He continued to touch, caress me. His lips followed his fingers across my heated, flushed flesh until I ached for him, writhing and clenching my jaw to keep silent. With careful hands, Simon removed the rest of my clothes. He stood, yanking off his shirt, pants and underwear with quick movements. He inhaled sharply, clearly trying to get himself under control, before he crawled back into the bed, kissing my shoulder, then down the slope of my breast.

His hands fitted to my ribs, holding me close as he licked and nipped his way, murmuring love words. My chest heaved and my hands fisted in the sheet.

On and on, he worshipped my body, bringing me close but never letting me fall over the peak. I scrabbled for purchase—to keep my world right as it narrowed to his hands, lips, tongue, skin.

“I need you,” I murmured.

“You have me,” he said as he entered my body.

I heaved a sob, clutching him tighter.

“Simon.”

“I’m here. I’m right here with you, Ella.”

He was. He held me as he loved me with gentle insistence. I strained toward him, trying to alleviate the tight coil of desire building.

On the next thrust, my release slammed into me. Simon pressed his lips to mine, swallowing my cry. He slid out, in, grunted as his body tensed with his orgasm. We slid, boneless, and breathing hard, back to the sheets.

He pulled both my hands up to his mouth and pressed firm kisses to my knuckles.

“I love you, Ella. God, I love you. Being away from you slays me.”

“I love you, too.” I yawned wide enough to pop my jaw. I winced.