Page 106 of Tattered (Lark Cove 1)

She smiled as she bounced, her hair swaying behind her as she scooted toward the headboard.

“Get those panties off,” I ordered as I stripped off my shirt. “Now.”

She toyed with the hem, teasing me for a minute. But when I reached for the button on my pants and paused, daring her on, she wiggled them free and kicked them to the floor.

Seeing her wet pussy nearly dropped me to the floor. I swallowed hard, sucking in some air through my nostrils as I tried to get my dick under control.

Then I set the beast loose, shoving my pants and boxer briefs

down to my ankles. When I stood, Thea’s eyes were locked on my straining erection. Her tongue darted out to lick her bottom lip.

Fuck. I stepped up to the bed and shot out an arm, grabbing her by the ankle. With a fast tug, I pulled her toward me as I knelt on the mattress, using my other knee to spread her legs wide. Then with my fist around my pulsing cock, I lined up at her entrance and thrust home.

Thea’s back arched off the bed as she cried out, her moans echoing up to the rafters. I stayed rooted, my eyes squeezed shut tight so I wouldn’t come. My hands dug into the blankets by Thea’s face as I fought to get control of my body.

“Logan. Condom.”

“One sec.” I nodded, still not opening my eyes. Being bare inside Thea, having nothing between us, was so goddamn amazing, I couldn’t give it up just yet.

She was the only woman who had ever had me raw. Not even Emmeline could claim that. It had only ever been Thea. Tonight, and the one time in the shower when we’d made Charlie. How the hell had I forgotten about this? I should have demanded Thea get on birth control two weeks ago.

“Birth control is priority one.” I opened my eyes and slid out of her tight heat.

She whimpered at the loss, breathing hard as I reached for the nightstand to get a condom. I hated rolling it on, but I knew we weren’t—she wasn’t—ready for another kid yet. Maybe I could change her mind this weekend once we’d gotten everything else worked out.

Because having another baby and being there from day one this time was about the only thing I really wanted in my life, other than to make Thea and Charlie happy.

They were all that mattered.

I came back to the bed, this time joining with Thea slowly, inch by inch. I rocked my hips into hers, building her up until her legs were trembling around me. The entire time, I worshiped her skin, dropping soft kisses across her neck and chest.

“I’m—” Her gasp was followed by an explosion. Her inner walls squeezed me so hard, the control I’d been trying to maintain vanished.

The tightening in my spine and balls was like a vise, forcing me to let go and come as she moaned into my neck. I was breathing so hard as I recovered I didn’t hear her moans turn to soft cries at first. Not until I felt a tear on my shoulder.

I leaned back, pushing the hair off her face. She turned her head into the blankets, trying to hide, but I tipped her chin toward me so she had to look at me. “Baby, what is it? These tears are killing me.”

“Sorry. It’s nothing.” She shook her head and sniffled, bringing up a hand to wipe her face. “I’m just emotional and I had too much champagne.”

“Come here.” I wrapped one arm around her, holding her to my chest, as the other jerked down the blankets. Then I pulled out and lifted her farther into the bed. “Be right back.”

I went to the bathroom and dealt with the condom, hurrying back to Thea’s side. With her back to my chest, I inhaled the lavender in her hair as I held her close. “It’s going to be okay.”

She nodded, sniffling again. “I know.”

Did she? Because there wasn’t a hint of confidence in her voice.

She tried to roll away to her pillow, but my arms banded tighter. I never thought I’d miss her tiny bed at the cottage, but this week had proved me wrong. When we’d been in her bed, there had been no choice except for us to sleep cuddled together. But with the space of my massive king, we’d both drift in our sleep.

Not tonight. Tonight, I didn’t want her going anywhere.

The way she snuggled backward, relaxing in my arms, I thought she wanted that too.

Except when I woke up the next morning, Thea was gone.

I shot up in a panic, searching the bathroom and closet for her. Then I went downstairs, hoping she’d just gotten up early for coffee and breakfast. But when I didn’t find her there, I searched every other room.

I finally found her, asleep in Charlie’s bed. Charlie’s feet were digging into her ribs and tears had dried on Thea’s cheeks.