Page 138 of Anton

“I have you.” I stroke her clit, keeping my mouth against hers. “Come for me.”

And she does. Her body twitches in deep pulses, her cries turning frantic as her nails claw my chest and her release throws her over the edge. I keep touching her through it, taking every breath, every sound, every trembling roll of her hips as she falls apart on top of me.

Watching her lose herself like this, feeling the pleasure move through her, drags me dangerously close, but I hold back because I refuse to miss any of it.

Her mouth brushes mine, her heart racing as she presses into my body.

“I love you,” she whispers.

The words tear through the last of my restraint. I turn her beneath me, hook her legs over my shoulders, and drive into her hard, desperate to hear her say it again even as I fight against believing I deserve it.

I can’t give her what she needs.

I want to love her, I know that much. I just don’t know how.

Her face draws with pleasure as I cage her with my body, holding her stare while I fuck her deep, each thrust rougher than the one before. When she cries out my name, I come inside her, my hips driving up once, twice, then holding there as everything in me goes rigid.

For a while, neither of us moves. Thora stays folded against me, her face tucked into my neck, her body still wrapped around mine while her breathing slowly evens out. When I ease back, I trace her cheek, and the affection in her eyes nearly breaks me.

“I don’t know how to deserve you.”

She leans into my touch. “You already do.”

I want to believe her, but I can’t. Instead, my hand slides into her hair, guiding her mouth back to mine. I kiss her slowly, needing her to feel how much I want it to be true, how much she matters.

Even if I can’t give the words back, I need her to understand I’m not throwing hers away.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

THORA

By the next afternoon, we’re back in New Jersey.

The farm looks exactly the same, even though I feel so changed that the whole world should look different too. Anton parks near the bed-and-breakfast, but he doesn’t get out, knowing I need to talk to the guys before I grab my things.

“I’ll be right back.”

His fingers remain laced with mine, and he gives them a brief squeeze before letting go.

I get out of the car and start toward the stables, but I only make it a few steps before Boone emerges with Charlie beside him, both of them slowing the second they see me.

Boone’s easy smile fades first. “You okay? You kind of look like shit.”

Charlie cuts him a glare, which Boone, of course, ignores.

“I’m fine.” I wave off his concern. “But I’ll be gone for a few days. Taking some time off.”

Charlie studies my face. “All right. But if you need anyone to talk to, I’m here.”

“Me too,” Boone throws in.

“Thank you both.” I look between them, trying to make my smile feel real enough to keep them from worrying. “Really. I appreciate it, but I’m okay. I promise. I’ve got Anton.”

Something flickers across Charlie’s face before he smooths it away. “That’s good.”

“Yeah, anyway, I need to pack some things.” Before I head for the house, I glance back toward the stables. “If there’s anything you need, the ranch foreman will be here, and I’m sure Greer will be flying back soon too.”

“Don’t worry about us.” Boone waves off my concern. “We can handle things until she gets back.”