Page 141 of When Love Takes Root

“I’m going to cherish you.”

“I hear you,” I whispered.

“Good.”

His hips rolled into mine again, slow and devastating, and the pleasure rose sharp enough to take my breath. This time, I didn’t turn away from it. I held onto him, looked at him, and let him see what he was doing to me.

The pleasure gathered low, spreading through me in waves that made my hands search for something to hold. I found him. His shoulders. His back. The braids brushing my cheek when he lowered his head. The steady heat of him covering me without consuming me.

I felt myself falling. Not just into pleasure. Into him.

His voice followed me there, his commands falling in a low, rhythmic chant.

“That’s it, love.”

“Don’t hide from it.”

“Let me feel you.”

“Beautiful.”

Josiah caught my chin gently and brought my face back to his.

“No. Stay with me.”

“I can’t.”

“Yes, you can.”

“It’s too much.”

His mouth brushed mine. “I know. Let it be too much with me.”

My eyes filled. “Josiah.”

“I’m right here.”

He moved again, and everything in me gave way. Pleasure broke through my body with a force that stole the air from my lungs. I cried out against his mouth, hands gripping him, thighs tightening around his waist while he held me through every wave.

He didn’t rush me through it. He stayed there, kissing me, holding me, talking me back into my body.

“That’s it.”

“I’ve got you.”

“Let it go for me, baby.”

“You’re safe.”

I let go until I didn’t know where fear ended and release began.

Only then did his control finally fracture.

His rhythm changed, deeper and less restrained, still careful but no longer hiding the hunger in him. He buried his face against my neck, whispered my name like it had become need and surrender in the same breath, and followed me over with a shudder that moved through his whole body. His arm tightened around me, protective even in release, and for several long breaths, we stayed there with our hearts pounding against each other while morning spread slowly across the room.

He didn’t collapse on me.

Even then, he held his weight.