Luck of the Devil (The Forge Trilogy #2)(44)

This could be my future.

The picture becomes more vivid in my mind. Indy. Me. Building a life together. Hell, if she’s pregnant, we could already be heading in that direction. She’s never known peace and security like I could give her. I’ve never given much thought to settling down or having priorities other than my business, but that’s changed too. All because of the woman in my arms.

We could make it work . . . if I could ever earn her trust.

She shifts against me, and her spine stiffens as what I assume is a new wave of worries takes over.

“I promise, Summer and Alanna are fine,” I tell her. “I won’t let anything happen to them. I’ll have Goliath go sleep in the hallway from across Alanna’s door if it’ll help you relax again.”

She turns to look over her shoulder, her lips parted. “How did you . . .”

“I’m starting to figure you out. It might take me a while, but I’ve got a good start.”

“Then what am I thinking right now?”

“I honestly don’t know, but I know what I’m thinking.”

“What’s that?” she asks, her brows diving together.

“I want to kiss you so fucking bad, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”





44





India





It was ridiculous, but the thought of kissing Jericho Forge right now feels even more intimate than sex. Maybe because I don’t have a lot of experience kissing men, and he’s only kissed me a few times.

There was a reason Julia Roberts didn’t allow kissing in Pretty Woman. I may not have understood it before, but I get it now.

Forge brings our joined hands up to my cheek and uses my own fingers to turn my chin toward him. Moving ever so slowly, as if waiting for me to bolt, he lowers his lips to mine.

The remains of the worry and fear that clung to me disappear as soon as my lips part and his tongue sweeps inside.

My hand slides out of his grip as I turn my body around in the tub so we’re chest to chest, never losing his mouth. His tongue tangles with mine, and I curve my fingers around the base of his neck, half floating, half resting on top of him.

It’s as if I’m suspended in an alternate reality where I’m falling in love with this man who would kick down doors and do whatever it takes to keep my family safe. The kiss goes deeper, and my senses are overwhelmed with wanting him. The moment is so perfect, I never want it to end, because it’s one that may never be able to be replicated.

I pull myself closer to him, planting my knees on either side of his hips and my nipples pressing against his pecs as the bubbling water splashes us both. I want more.

His hand slides into my hair, gripping the back of my head like he can’t get me close enough. His other arm wraps around my back, pinning me against him.

“I love the way you taste,” he says against my mouth, and I moan in response.

Whatever his plan might have been, I know exactly what mine is now, especially with his cock thick and hard between us. I reach down to wrap a hand around it and squeeze.

“Fuck . . . Do that again.”

I haven’t had enough sexual experience before to know that being told what to do in bed amplifies the experience for me, or maybe that’s just the case with Forge. Regardless, I stroke him, working his cock in my tight fist, and my pussy grows wetter and wetter with each tug.

I pull my lips away from his. “I want . . . I want to ride you.”

Forge’s dark gaze zeroes in on my face as he reaches down to wrap both palms around my hips and lifts me up, a clear hell yes response to my statement.

As he lowers me, his lips curve into a heartfelt smile that warms his eyes and eases the harsh lines of his face. I already know Forge is strong, but this man, the one holding me with such care, is gentle in a way that demolishes any remaining barriers I’ve been reinforcing.

But as soon as the head of his cock connects with my entrance, he stiffens, and I lose the smile I wanted to see on his face forever.

“Fuck, Ace. No condom.”

It’s stupid and reckless, but I shake my head. “You can pull out. It’ll be fine.”

It’s a horrible plan to count on for reliability, but it’s worked its way into my head that if I don’t have him right here, right now, I’m going to lose my only chance at something I never knew I wanted. No, something I need. Him.

It should be a terrifying realization, but right now, I don’t care.

I push the thought of all consequences aside, and for the space of three breaths, my gaze locks on his. I wish I could read the thoughts behind those stormy gray eyes, but I can’t. Not yet.

Finally, he lowers me again. He slides me down the hard ridge of his cock, and I bite my lip to keep from moaning out loud as he stretches me wide.

From behind clenched teeth, he grits out, “That feels too fucking good. Jesus Christ. You’re going to destroy me, woman.”

Not more than you’re going to destroy me, I think. Because I’m not holding anything back now.

I rock my hips, impatient to move. Forge’s grip tightens around my waist, and he leans forward to brush his lips across my jaw.

“Ride me.”





45





Forge