Page 423 of A Matter of Time

“Sam…please…show me you’re all better. I don’t wanna be the strong one anymore.”

There was no movement.

“Sam?”

“You’ve been doing all this to try and protect me ’cause I was hurt.”

“Yes.”

“So if I’m better, you’ll stop playing detective?”

Playing? “Now wait.” My voice dropped low. “I’ve done pretty well to⁠—”

“Shut up,” he growled before he yanked the towel away, leaving me naked beneath him. “Guess what I brought you?”

“I’m sure I have no⁠—”

“Don’t move.”

His weight was gone for only seconds before it returned. The sound of the cap opening let me know what he had retrieved from his duffel bag on the floor.

“You weren’t worried about me,” I teased him. “You just wanted to fuck me.”

He grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked my head back hard. “No, J, you want me to fuck you. I have been sick just thinking about you dead or raped or God knows what else.”

I shivered; I couldn’t help it. My brain understood that we were having a serious conversation, but my body was just processing the dominance and strength he was exerting over me.

He let go of my hair, and I pressed my face down into the pillow. I felt his slick fingers pressing inside my body and let out a low moan.

“I’m all better now, J, so you need to do exactly as I say from now on. Do you understand?”

I nodded, unable to speak, feeling his hands slide over my ass and spread my cheeks.

“You need to remember who you belong to.”

“I know who I belong to.” I whimpered, trying to move back into him.

He kissed the back of my neck, then moved to my shoulder before he bit down and pressed deeply inside me. He didn’t thrust, he moved slowly, but still, he didn’t stop or slow, just pushed forward, stretching me, filling me, until he was buried to his balls in my ass.

I moaned his name.

“Had to be inside,” he whispered, “but we’re both gonna stay right here, still, until you’re used to me.”

With his hand slipping under me, his mouth on the side of my throat, it took only moments for me to beg.

“God…I missed you. I just got you back…” His voice had a catch in it, faltering at the end.

No comforting words could be given, as there was only heat, the familiar smell of his skin, and my drowning, aching response to him.

“I hate that I need you.”

And I wanted to explain to him that what he saw as a weakness was really a gift. Most people never needed anyone.

“Jory…”

All that came from me were my panting breaths, groans of pleasure, and his name spoken over and over again. It was all I could manage, my senses drowned in sizzling heat, his touch, and the primal sound of his voice. I was so happy, my body so ready, having gone so long without him. I had none of my usual stamina to hold my orgasm at bay.

When I screamed his name, he set a pounding rhythm that pulled a guttural moan from me. I felt the throbbing deep inside me, rising, peaking, my skin burning under his as I pleaded for what I wanted and needed.