Page 195 of A Matter of Time

“Don’t you want to?”

“You know I want to, but you’re hurt and⁠—”

“Please,” I begged him, my gaze riveted on his lips.

“What if I accidentally hurt you?”

“I’m not worried about that.”

“Because you’re horny.”

“Yes,” I rasped, feeling the heat wash through my entire body.

He took a breath. “Your face got all flushed.”

“I bet I’m flushed all over. Take me to bed and check.”

“Yeah, let’s…do that,” he rumbled, his voice low and husky.

I let him ease me out of his lap and watched as he unwrapped my ankle, releasing me from the machine. He had an Ace bandage, and he was methodical when he put it on, checking to make sure it wasn’t too tight, massaging the cramp from my other calf, working his strong hands up both legs to my thighs. When I reached for him, he picked me up and carried me to his bed. Once there, I was pinned under him quickly, and when he kissed me, I moaned loudly.

“I wore a condom with Maggie, J. I swear I did.”

I smiled up into his eyes, now dark with passion, but waited for more.

“I went and got tested after, and I’m good and⁠—”

“What do you want?”

“You know,” he said, kissing down the side of my throat.

“I’m not a mind reader.”

“Yes, you are,” he barely got out.

I chuckled softly. “You just want me to let you⁠—”

“Yes. Please…let me.”

I stared up into his eyes, and I saw his jaw clenching, heard the shaky breath, saw the hard swallow.

“Baby, I swear I⁠—”

“I don’t trust anyone like I trust you, Sam.”

I had never seen that look on his face before, the look of love—surrender and aching and happiness all at the same time. I was so pleased with him, with the man I would spend the rest of my life with.

“I’m gonna be so gentle, baby.”

“Don’t be that gentle,” I teased him.

The kiss I got in response curled my toes, it went through me so fast and so hard, racing heat that made me cry out.

“The sounds you make when you’re happy,” he growled against my mouth. “You kill me.”

I was burning up with my desire for him and his for me. Impossible to deny the connection between us, as tangible as it was. His skin on mine was scorching.

“Hello,” Sam barked at me.