Eli kneeled down, slowly crawling over her body until they were face-to-face.
“Don’t look away,” he murmured, brushing his lips against hers.
His erection was heavy against her thigh, and then he shifted slightly, slowly pushing inside of her.
Holly’s mouth dropped open on a gasp as he went deep, and his eyes flared with heat when she made a soft noise.
His big hand palmed the cheek of her ass, holding her tightly against him and making her feel small and delicate in his embrace. She was soft and feminine against all the hard angles and planes of his body.
Then he began to move inside of her, his rhythm slow and his movements gentle. His gaze stayed locked with hers as she ran her hand down along his jaw, sweeping her thumb over his lower lip.
They’d done a lot of sexy things last night, but this... this was going to be her undoing.
“I haven’t ever stopped wanting you,” he whispered, brushing a lock of hair away from her face. “Not for one minute. Not since I lost you all those years ago.”
She lifted her head to kiss him, and he rewarded her with one that was deep and searching.
“I missed my chance back then,” he said softly, pressing his lips against her temple. “I missed the chance to make you mine.”
He claimed her mouth again, this time leaving her breathless.
Holly shifted beneath him, feeling restless as she lifted her legs and wrapped them high around his waist. His strokes stayed deep and slow, and her tummy coiled tight with need as she grew hot and wet around his cock.
“I’ve been searching forever for something in others that I knew I’d never find. Because no one can replace you, Holly. They could never be you.”
“Eli, please. Please don’t say something you can’t take back,” she begged, placing her hand against his cheek. “Not now.”
“I won’t be taking anything back,” he murmured, holding her close as he rocked slowly into her. “I’m fucking crazy about you, sweetheart, and I’m not taking it back.”
His words flipped her right over the edge, and she sucked in a sharp breath as she tightened around his cock, squeezing him in rhythmic waves. Her eyes fluttered closed as she cried out, shaking beneath him.
“Oh fuck,” he groaned. “That’s it. That’s my girl.” His mouth came down on hers again, and she lifted her legs higher around him as he began to rock into her quickly.
“Tell me you’re mine,” he whispered. “Tell me that you’re my girl.”
She swallowed hard, knowing what she’d agreed to do, but was desperately afraid to say the words.
However, in this moment, there was no denying that shewashis. No matter what the future held, right here and now, he held her heart in his hands.
“I’m yours. Eli, I’m yours.”
Taking her hands in his, he pressed them back into the mattress above her head, pinning her in place. His eyes fluttered closed for a moment, then he leaned his forehead against hers and buried himself inside of her so deeply that she cried out.
“Holly.” He stiffened, then shuddered as he came inside of her, letting out a low moan.
A moment later, he lifted his head and placed a gentle kiss against her forehead. “You own my fucking soul,” he whispered. “I just needed you to know.”
Tears sprang to her eyes, and she buried her face against his chest, not wanting him to see her cry.
Not again.
It just wasn’t fair. She couldn’t handle this now. Not now. Her heart wasn’t ready for any of it.
Eli slipped from her body but didn’t let her go. Instead, he held her close, stroking her back as she cuddled against him.
“Why, Eli?” God, she could barely get the words out. “Why are you telling me all of this now?”
“Because I need you to know how I feel about you.”