Chapter 19

“Maybe we should talk.” Ivy’s voice shook slightly, and she tugged a piece of hair from her face.

“Not gonna happen.”

No way could Mike Paul make it through a conversation. He kicked the door closed and ordered the dogs to their beds. Then he reached for her. “Trust me on this.”

“Are you sure?” She licked at her bottom lip again. That little move did funny things to his gut. And dick. And general well-being.

“We haven’t spoken in days, and there are things I need to tell you.”

“You’re here. You’re not with him. That’s all I need to know. And right now, talking is the last thing on my mind.”

Ivy smelled good. He inhaled another shot of that sweet vanilla stuff she liked to wear, then slid his hands up the sides of her face. “Right now, we’re going to get naked, and I’m going to kiss every inch of your body.” He pressed a light kiss to her mouth for good measure. “And if there’s a spot that needs some extra kissing.” He nipped at her nose and trailed kisses down her neck. “Then you let me know. I’ll go in for seconds.” He kissed her lips and murmured. “And thirds if that’s what you want.”

She groaned when he slid his tongue inside her mouth. After a good long while, she came up for air. “What if I want a fourth?”

“I’ll kiss you as many times as you ask me to.”

Mike Paul claimed her mouth once more. He shook from desire and hunger and passion. He kissed her until his body was on fire. Until he was rock hard and aching with need. And when he came up for air, he scooped Ivy into his arms and headed for the stairs.

Once in his room, he laid her on the bed. Holy hell, but she looked like a goddess. He couldn’t look away. Not if wild horses pulled at him.

Her hair was spread across the pillow like a halo, her cheeks were flush with desire, and her mouth was bruised from his kisses. The freckles sprinkled across her nose were darker somehow, and he wanted to trace them with his tongue. She took his breath away without trying.

“You’re so fucking beautiful.” He stepped out of his boots, then yanked on his fly. Mike Paul almost landed on his ass while trying to tug off his jeans, and she sat up on her elbows when he reached for his boxers, which were spread tight because his dick was so hard.

“This one might be quick, Wilkens, but I promise to make up for it.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

His boxers joined the jeans on the floor, then Mike Paul grabbed a condom. He rolled it over his dick, then leaned over Ivy and kissed her again. And again. And again . He’d promised all the kisses, and he was, if anything, more than willing to do whatever it took to keep his side of the bargain.

With all that kissing came a fair bit of touching, and he grinned to himself when he heard her moan as he skimmed her thighs, then the backs of her knees. He teased until the little sounds she made drove him crazy, then slipped a hand beneath her panties so he could sink his fingers deep inside. She was hot, the heat burning into his palm. And wet. And tight.

“I can’t,” she gasped, squirming. “It’s too much.”

“Not nearly enough.” Mike Paul grinned, and carefully tugged up her top until it was over her head. His breath snagged when she reached around and unclasped the sexiest red bra he’d ever seen.

“So beautiful,” he murmured. Her breasts were meant for him, and he grazed the tops of them with his mouth, teasing her until Ivy sank her hands into his hair and held him steady.

“A little rough, aren’t you, Wilkens?” He grinned and tugged on a nipple, while she gasped and arched into him.

“I think you’re up for the challenge,” she said breathlessly, sighing when he claimed her other nipple.

“Here’s the thing.” Mike Paul tugged down her jeans, leaving Ivy in nothing but a skimpy sliver of red silk that barely covered the part of her he wanted so bad he could barely speak. He reached for the thong, grabbed it, and yanked it down. “I’m riding close to the edge, and like I said.” He positioned himself and held his body a few inches above hers. “This is going to be quick and dirty.”

“What about the kisses you promised?” Her tongue slid across her bottom lip as she eased her legs open for him.

“Here’s number one.” Mike Paul dipped his head and slowly moved until his mouth was between her legs. It was killing him, holding off when his body was ready to explode, but he would do this for her for as long as he could. He slid his tongue over the little bud that was swollen with need, and she bucked against him.

He suckled and stroked and kissed until she began to buck and shake, and as her hips rose, he answered the need.

“Sorry, darlin’, I don’t think I can get past one.”

Mike Paul sank into Ivy slowly, loving how her eyes widened in pleasure. Their bodies were slick with sweat, and their limbs trembled.

“I’ll have to take a raincheck on the second kiss,” he rasped, moving inside her. Christ, he needed to take a moment, or he’d be done before anything good began.

“I’ll hold you to that.”

Ivy clung to him, her legs wrapped around his waist, and they fell into the kind of rhythm that was older than time. It was animalistic and beautiful. Fast and hard and so damn exquisite, Mike Paul saw stars as his body tightened.

“I can’t hold off,” he whispered roughly, glancing down at the face he’d take to the grave. At that moment, time stopped. The world faded, and he was left bare. He was raw and open and as honest as he’d ever been. “I love you,” he said, voice hoarse as he held her close. He paused, body strained from the effort it took to hold back. “You got that right?” he asked hoarsely.

She slowly nodded and whispered, “Yes.”

That was all it took. Mike Paul quickened the pace, and Ivy’s nails dug into his back. She arched beneath him, and he groaned into her. He climaxed as she shouted something unintelligible, her mouth at his neck, hot and wet. They rocked together, their bodies coupled, their minds in sync. And when it was over, when his breathing enabled him to move, he didn’t.

He stayed inside her, hunched over as he tried to keep his weight off of her. He didn’t want this feeling to end. Didn’t want to lose this closeness. This connection.

For Mike Paul Darlington, that was a first.

But he was only human, and after a while, his arms began to tremble and he rolled off, pulling Ivy into his arms as he curled into her body.

“I love you too,” she whispered, rubbing her cheek against his forearm. “I always have.”

Mike Paul’s throat was too tight to speak, so he gently kissed her neck, and she rolled onto her other side so that they faced each other.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he said, caressing her face and touching her nose. It was like he was seeing her for the first time.

“Me too.” Her eyes were huge and luminous in the dim light.

“Give me a minute.”

Mike Paul rolled off the bed and headed to the bathroom to look after some things. He got rid of the condom, cleaned up, and then returned.

She touched the spot just under his right eye, and he winced. “What happened?”

He sighed and pulled her into his arms. Then kissed the top of her head and let her warmth wash over him.

“Mike Paul?”

“You know that Jacob has been staying with me.”

“He’s Marcus’s son, right?”

He nodded and murmured, “Yes.”

“Did something happen with Jacob?”

“After the Christmas party, I went to their place to talk to his dad. I wanted to go alone, but Jacob insisted he come too. I didn’t want him to, but legally, I have no say. I mean, if the kid wants to see his dad, who am I to stop him?”

“I’m taking it things didn’t go well.”

“The Marcus was out of it. High on drugs and wasted on booze. The house was trashed, and there were people passed out on the floor. The sofa. You name it.” Mike Paul grimaced, remembering the scene. “You remember how things were with Manley Bridgestone, right?”

She nodded.

“Well, this was one hundred times worse. Maybe one thousand.”

“Oh, that poor kid.”

“We walked inside. I wanted to talk to his dad, man-to-man. To make sure he was in the right kind of place to look after his son. But as soon as he saw us, he went crazy. Came after Jacob with a look on his face I never want to see again. I got in front of the first punch he threw, but it was his last. I put him down like a dog and held him there until the cops came.”

He saw the concern on her face and pulled her as close as he could. “The guy was on probation. His ass was immediately hauled off to jail, and I don’t think he’s getting out any time soon.”

“Where’s Jacob?”

“He’s staying with me. After they cleared the place and left with Marcus, we grabbed some clothes, and I brought him back here.”

Ivy’s eyes widened, and she looked toward the bedroom door. “Oh my God. He’s here?” Her cheeks burned, and she sat up. “Why didn’t you tell me? Jesus, he’s going to think that I…that we… that…” Stumbling over her words, she punched him in the shoulder.

“Nice to see you’ve still got that insane right hook, Wilkens.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

She looked fierce and pissed and so damn adorable he couldn’t help but smile.

“He’s at a buddy’s place in town. I’m expecting him back tomorrow afternoon.”

Ivy sank back onto the bed. “Well, that’s a relief. I’m sure I sounded like a wounded animal.”

He leaned over and kissed her, then gathered her into his arms for more. “I think I’m ready.” His dick stirred at the thought, and with a wicked grin, he gently placed her in the middle of the bed.

“There’s no way it can be better than what we just did.” She was out of breath, her voice husky.

“I accept the challenge.”

He began his assault by kissing her ankles and massaging her feet and toes. Then he moved to the calves and nibbled at the back of her knees, all the while touching and caressing. She made those noises that drove him crazy, and slowly, he moved up to her thighs, which, by now, trembled. He teased and played with every inch of her except the treasure between her legs.

“I can’t take it,” she whispered, head thrashing from side to side as she raised her hips. She was aroused, and the evidence glistened on her skin. He smiled and continued up her stomach and abdomen, kissing, touching, biting. Then he nuzzled her breasts and used his tongue, hands, and mouth to bring her to the brink.

He was about to repeat the performance, but she swore and pushed him onto his back. “I’m done with the foreplay,” she ground out.

“That so?”

“Definitely,” she whispered as she straddled him. There was a predatory look on her face, and her grin was wicked. Her hand slid down between her legs, and she opened herself up so that every part of her was exposed to him. The visual sent a shot of desire through him that was so strong his body jerked. His cock ached for release, and he grabbed hold of it. As if that would help.

“You’re not playing fair.”

“I know.”

She slid her fingers over her clitoris, and he swore, sweat beading his body, his eyes glued to her pussy. His jaw was clamped down so tight it was painful.

“You like that?”

His answer was a grunt.

“Do you want me to keep doing this for as long as I can?”

He gripped her hips and pulled her down onto him, groaning as she sank onto his cock. “No,” he managed to say. “Let me.”

She began to rock, her body slowly moving against him, while his fingers found that nub of hers, and worked their magic. Ivy threw her head back and gasped, riding him like a champ, all in and perfectly in tune with his body.

There were no more words.

Her eyes found his, and the two of them watched each other as they climbed higher and higher, their bodies moving faster, slick from sweat, sex, and desire. It took everything to hold off, and Mike Paul knew when she was close. She bit her lip and groaned, her hands on her breasts, while she grinded against him. His thumbs pressed into her clitoris, and she rose suddenly, then sank back and cried out as an orgasm shot through her.

Mike Paul felt her tighten around him, and he let go. He came hard and fast, and when the aftershocks eventually faded, she fell forward onto him and sighed.

“That was…”

“I know,” he replied quietly, holding her trembling body.

They fell back together, and he pulled the covers up around them. Mike Paul cradled Ivy against his chest and listened as her breathing slowed and returned to normal. They stayed like that for a long time. So long that he had time to think. To remember. And suddenly, he sat up.

“What?” she asked, crawling to a seated position in front of him. “You don’t regret…” She looked away and shuddered. “This was intense, so I get it if you need some space.”

“No, that’s not it.” He whispered, holding her face between his hands. “We forgot to use a condom.

He saw the moment the realization hit her. “Oh,” she replied.

“I’m sorry. I got caught up in things and wasn’t thinking. I mean, you don’t have to worry or anything. I’ve never had sex without a condom. Well, not since I was sixteen and got busy with Beverly Grand in the back of her daddy’s Chevy.”

“Beverly Grand? Really?”

“I was sixteen.”

“She had to be at least twenty-four.”

“Twenty-six.”

“Isn’t that illegal?”

“If it was, I can tell you that sixteen-year-old me wouldn’t have cared.”

She pulled her knees up and rested her chin on top of them. Her skin was pink, flushed from their lovemaking, her lips bruised and swollen, and her hair was a tangled mess. If he had a camera handy, he’d take a picture because he didn’t want to forget this moment.

“It’s okay. It’s not the right time for me.”

“Right time?” What the hell did she mean by that?

“In my cycle. To make a baby. I’m sure we’re okay.”

“What if we’re not?” He watched her closely.

“I’ve never thought about it, but…”

“But?”

“What do you think?”

Mike Paul wasn’t sure what the right answer was. This was new territory for him. If he answered wrong, he could fuck things up. And the last thing he wanted was to screw things up with Ivy. Not when it had taken them years to get to this point.

But a baby? His baby? Was he ready for something like that?

“I ah…” He fell silent because he had no response.

“It’s okay,” she said, reaching for him. She smiled, her eyes shiny and warm. “Like I said, it’s not the right time. I’m not worried.”

Relieved, he let out a long breath. “Are you sure? We can talk about this.”

Her answer was a kiss. Then a groan. His world fell away, and Mike Paul spent the next twelve hours in heaven.