He kissed her deeply.
Knowing she was on the brink, he held back his own release only with the greatest willpower.
“What do I do in these dreams?” he asked, immersing himself inside her in a slow, torturous stroke that would certainly haunt his own dreams for years.
“You love me, Daniel.” Her fists clenched and un-clenched in the sheets, then she drew him close, holding him to her, and greedily demanded he love her at this very moment.
Whatever willpower he’d thought he held evaporated and his tempo picked up, driving them toward the pleasurable burst they sought.
He felt her orgasm, felt her flesh tighten, spasm around him.
“In my dreams…” Her words came out in short gasps as her body worked in rhythm with his, reaching higher and higher. “You loved me.”
Her nails dug in, her back arched, and she moaned beneath him.
“Now,” she pleaded. “Love me, now, Daniel. Please, please, love me.”
He did.
Kimberly couldn’t say it surprised her when Daniel fell asleep almost immediately afterward.
At first she’d thought he had only been resting, but his even breathing and soft snores told the real story.
He’d made love to her and dozed off.
Under different circumstances she might have been offended, hurt even, but Daniel needed sleep, and she cherished the opportunity to openly study his features.
Laughter lines fanned out from the corners of his eyes and fine creases marred his forehead, but they only added to his appeal, giving character and strength to his handsome face. His nose still slanted proudly and his mouth should come with a warning that touching caused explosive reactions.
His hands should carry a similar warning because everywhere he’d touched she’d exploded with the most wicked of sensations.
No one had ever made her feel like Daniel did.
Not even her ex-husband. She’d cared for Thomas. She wouldn’t have married him if she hadn’t, but their friendship hadn’t laid the foundation to build on that they’d hoped for. Thomas had remarried and had two small kids. Kimberly couldn’t be happier for him because he was a good man.
Just not the man for her.
Gently, she stroked her fingertip over Daniel’s face.
“I love you,” she whispered, knowing he was sound asleep and would never know her admission. “I’ve always loved you, and I always will.”
He never acknowledged her words in any way, neither did she expect him to miraculously wake up and shout with glee.
Just lying next to him, with his arm draped over her, his breath on her cheek, and the ability to watch him sleep was enough.
“We have a son, Daniel. A gorgeous son who is so much like you. I’m going to tell you all about him. Soon.” She pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “Please, understand.”
Daniel felt more rested than he had in a very long time. He stretched languidly. Realizing a warm body snuggled against him, he remembered the night’s events.
Kimberly.
His heart raced at the ramifications of what they’d shared.
Technically, nothing they hadn’t shared before, yet so much more.
Last night had been different. More intense than anything their teenage bodies had experienced. More real.
She’d asked him to love her.