Page 102 of Harnessed in Gold

One arm around my waist and the other under my thighs, he commands, “Hold on to me.” I lock my ankles behind his back and wrap my arms around his neck. Without the slightest wobble or stagger, he rises.

It’s two steps to the bed and an easy four-foot fall. The second my back hits the mattress, he pops open the button on my jeans. I lift my hips and wiggle, helping him free my legs. No stupid steering wheel cutting into my back, no bitter cold seeping into my skin. Only a soft mattress beneath me, and Leo’s warm body above me.

He hooks his fingers into my panties and pulls down, carelessly winding them into a tight coil. They fall to his feet, soon to be joined by his jeans and boxers. When he bends down to kiss me, I draw up my legs, shivering as his hipbones press against the insides of my thighs.

“Now. Please,” I beg. We’ve already wasted too much time. All those hours we endured together, fighting the pull of desire—in church, fighting in his car, making sandwiches and arguing aboutguns. And for what? Because we were afraid? I have no patience for my own uncertainty anymore. It’s now and only now. “Leo, please.”

He slips two fingers inside me, a promise that has me warm and whimpering, and him swearing to the gods. I’m more than ready.

Perching on one hand, he reaches over me for his nightstand drawer. My ears pick up a rustling sound, then I hear tearing.

“Do this for me?” he murmurs, holding a condom between his thumb and forefinger.

Do this for me.Just like our first time, before I knew what he was, before I understood. But tonight he doesn’t need my help; he wants it. He sits back on his heels and braces his hands on his hips, the muscles in his stomach flexing with each heavy breath.

He’s beautiful. Perfect. Through his lashes, he watches my face, not my hands, as I roll the condom on him. I grow hot under his gaze, tempted—but too desperate—to take my time.

His voice is heavy and thick, hungry and low, “Thank you.”

I drop onto my back again, waiting impatiently as he hovers above me and nudges my thighs apart with his. He’s mine.MyLeo. I brush his hair from his face and peer up into his eyes for just one second. Just long enough to remind me that this is real.

Our lips meet as he pushes inside me, stretching me and filling me with heat.

“Oh gods,” he groans, shuddering as I arch to take him all the way in. He straightens his arms, thrusting harder and deeper, his biceps bulging and his jaw muscles flickering as he fights to maintain control.

I wind tighter, clutching the blanket, his hair, his skin. Grasping for more. Then suddenly, he’s gone. I can’t reach him, can’t feel him inside me. Empty and aching, I grope for him, a sob building in my throat. Strong hands grab my hips and tug, and my eyes flash open.

He stands at the edge of the bed, between my legs, his arms hooked under my thighs. A growl rumbles deep in his chest as he sinks back inside me, holding my gaze. I gasp and arch at the shockwaveof pleasure. Emotions flood me. His, mine, every emotion anyone has ever felt. It’s too much.

I cry his name, and right away he bends close, his hands cradling my head and his lips brushing mine. “Will you trust me?”

I shake my head, not to say no, but because I don’t understand.

“Let me make it better.”

“Better?” It’s already so good. Too good. Too much everything. I’m about to come, but I can’t.

“Trust me,” he whispers, his thumbs caressing my jaw. “Please.”

I nod, although I don’t know what I’m agreeing to.

From his hands comes a rush of warmth, smooth like milk as it courses through me. Steadily, my tense muscles let go, and my thoughts settle into a puddle, still and deep.

He’scalmingme.

“I won’t hurt you, Betts,” he promises. “Never again.”

I grab him by the hair, bringing his mouth down to mine and letting the pleasure rebuild. His pace is even, but his thrusts are demanding. Forceful. And, oh god, they have my legs shaking and my nails raking trails down his back.

He takes each of my hands in turn and holds them above my head, pushing them into the mattress as he straightens his arms. I’m vulnerable, completely at his mercy, and I’m okay with that. More than okay.

The new angle has us both breathing hard and fast. I look up into his eyes, surprised to find them so focused. He loves this, the way I’m trusting him. He drops his head, taking in the sight of my whole body stretched out underneath his. And when his eyes find mine again, they’re hooded and the color of molten gold.

He lets go of one hand to take hold of my face. “A chroí.”

“My heart,” I whisper back. A translation or a reciprocation?

His eyes widen for a beat before he kisses me, before his hand leaves my face to slide down my belly. When I realize what he’s about to do, I gasp. He hums in reply. He has to know no one’s done this to me before. I’m sure it’s obvious by the way I’m shaking as I tiltup my hips, welcoming his hand between my legs. With skilled fingers, he strokes me in time with his thrusts, coaxing me higher.