Cupping her center, he groaned as he felt how wet she was for him already. His finger slid easily inside her lips, and he gathered more wetness before zeroing in on her clit. He circled lightly for a moment, enjoying the way she squirmed at his touch, and then he made his touch firmer, faster, circling round and round. She was writhing underneath him, begging him breathlessly for more, and he gave in, pressing directly on her clit and rubbing fast.
With a cry, she came undone in his arms, and he leaned back so he could watch her, never letting his fingers rest. She was beautiful, her mouth open on a silent cry, face wreathed in ecstasy. Love filled his chest as he watched her, along with no small amount of pride. He did that. He made her feel like that, he put that look on her face. And he’d do it again and again—tonight and a thousand times over in the course of their lives.
Easing her down slowly, the feel of her aftershocks pulsing against his fingers, he kissed her gently. Reaching down, he quickly yanked off her skirt and panties, taking in her beautiful body. Every inch of her was gorgeous, and her scars didn’t detract from that one bit. She thought they did, was self-conscious about them, but he thought they were beautiful, as well. Just another part of her to love.
“Stop looking and do something,” she insisted in a breathless voice, letting her legs fall open. “And don’t go easy on me, not tonight. Give me everything you’ve got.”
Swallowing thickly, he positioned himself between her thighs, his dick nestled against her hot, wet folds. “I will, but I may not last long.”
“That’s okay,” she replied, moaning when he nudged her. “I won’t either.”
That was good enough for him. Easing forward, he waited until her snug heat was surrounding his head, and with one surge of his hips, buried himself to the hilt. Breath hissing from his body, he squeezed his eyes shut, drowning in sensation. It was the feel of her hips undulating underneath him that brought him back to awareness.
Pulling back out, gritting his teeth at the feel of her body trying to suck him back in, he slammed back into her. Keeping that pace, he pounded into her, the feel of her body gripping him tightly, and her moans in his ear, almost more than he could bear. It wasn’t long before he felt his balls tighten and his lower spine tingle, and he knew he was almost there.
Rearing back, he put his thumb on her clit, pressing firmly, his hips still pistoning in and out. In moments, he felt Holly’s body grip his dick in a vicelike hold. Cursing as he felt her rippling around him, crying out with her orgasm, he slammed inside her a few more times and then held still, pressing his forehead to hers as he emptied himself inside her.
It felt like they went on forever, his orgasm and hers, her aftershocks triggering his, bouncing back and forth off each other. Chest heaving for air, he kissed her as he gently pulled out of her. Dropping down beside her, he pulled her against him, mind content and body replete.
HOLLY SNUGGLED DEEPER INTO IAN’S SIDE, CONTENT DOW TO HER BONES. She didn’t know what would happen tomorrow, and the thought quite frankly terrified her, but in this moment, life couldn’t get any better.
Smiling as she felt him press a kiss to the top of her head, she kissed his chest in response. “I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too, sweetheart. More than you could ever imagine.”
Except maybe she could. What she felt for him was so strong, so overwhelming, she didn’t know how to deal with it. So she didn’t bother. She just let it wash over her, and basked in the feeling.
She felt Ian relax even more underneath her, and she knew he was about to fall asleep. She was starting to follow him when a soft knock sounded at the door. Ian stirred but she stopped him. “I’ll get it,” she said, pressing a kiss to his arm as she got up.
Frowning as she realized he tore her shirt and she didn’t have anything else, she rummaged around in his drawers, pulling on a pair of his boxers and a soft t-shirt that swallowed her whole.
Walking to the door, she cracked it open and peered out, eyed widening when she saw Shelby. The little girl was shuffling her weight from foot to foot, biting her lip with a nervous look in her bright blue eyes. Ian’s eyes.
“What is it, sweetie?” she asked.
“I’m scared about tomorrow,” Shelby confessed, her voice low as if she were ashamed to admit it.
Crouching down, Holly looked her seriously in the eye. “I am too. But I think everything is going to be okay. Pray really hard tonight, and I’m sure it’ll all work out.”
Looking at her with tears swimming in her eyes, Shelby whispered, “I don’t want to lose Daddy. I love him, and he treats me good. All the fighters do. I don’t want to leave here. What will happen to me if I have to go back to Farrah and the War Cats?”
Heart cracking, Holly was just about to step outside the room and hug Shelby up tight when she heard a noise behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Ian, dressed in plaid pajama bottoms and a shirt. Looking at her, he jerked his head toward the bed, and she smiled in understanding.
Turning back to Shelby, she said, “That’s not going to happen. Your daddy is strong, and he’s an amazing fighter. And if the worst happens—” swallowing hard when her voice caught, she forced herself to continue. “If the worst happens, I’ll snatch you up and run with you. You’ll never have to go back with your mother again.”
“Farrah,” Shelby corrected. “That woman is not my mother. And you’re going to protect me from the tigers?” she asked dubiously.
“With everything in me,” she said solemnly. “Pinky promise.”
Holding her pinky, she waited until Shelby hooked hers around it, and then pulled her into a hug.
“I love you, kid,” Holly told her softly.
“I love you, too.”
“Want to come in? Sleep with me and your dad tonight?”
Eyes wide, Shelby asked hopefully, “Can I?”