Fated by Allyson Young Page A

backing away again.
    Drifting her fingertips down his
cheek, she then followed the length of his neck and across one pectoral, before
resting the palm of her hand against his heart. “I want to be. Despite everything.”
    “Nothing else matters.”
    “I’m not the same person—”
    “She’s in there, darlin’. We’ve
both had some experiences that we’ll no doubt bring to the table, but we’re
still us.” He gave her a knowing look. “And I can’t say as I object to some of
the changes you’re referencing.”
    The light from the small bedside
lamp reflected the sudden glow of Candace’s face as she blushed furiously. Her
mouth pursed mutinously. “You have me at a disadvantage, Reece. I don’t know
what you got up to while away.”
    “And I’ll share with you,” he
promised. “As much as you care to know. We have a lot
of talking ahead, but there’s something more pressing at hand.”
    He could scent her arousal, and his
cock was a hard, aching bar of need behind his boxers. As she lifted a thigh to
press it against him, he knew she understood, and tugged her nightgown over her
lower body. Candace obligingly lifted up, and he freed the garment over first
one foot then the other, tossing it aside. She wouldn’t require any clothing in
his bed ever again.
    The sight of her shapely hips and
rounded belly leading to the pussy he’d plundered back in high school made him
twitch, and he reached for control. Their much younger fumbling in
hard-to-find-private places had limited the times they had together and
inhibited their loving. Now they had all night and no one to fear interrupting.
    Stripping off his underwear, he drew
a condom from the nightstand, to sheathe himself with stiff fingers, fearing he
wouldn’t have the time or inclination to stop himself later. They’d both get
tested and figure out birth control that suited them, but for now he’d eschew
skin to skin contact, savor it at a later date. Candace watched him with a
sensuous set to her lips, her hands now idly stroking her breasts and teasing
at her nipples.
    “If you’re clean, Reece, there’s no
need. I haven’t done anything without a condom. And I’m protected against
pregnancy.”
    God. His fantasy
come true. He stripped off the latex and turned back without another
thought, and was upon her. Parting her full thighs with both hands, he lowered
his head to press a kiss on the soft, tender skin on the inside. This was going
to be over before it started, so long had he thought about it and waited. Using
his tongue and lips, holding her labia apart with fingertips, he tasted her
fully, the sweet and tart evidence of her arousal driving him wild. Finding the
poking, hard bud of her clit, he sucked at it voraciously, vowing to take that
rest of the night exploring in greater detail but for now…
    Candace went over, calling out his
name, and he scrambled up and over her shaking body, planting both hands by her
shoulders to support his weight. His cock, no longer blinded by latex, slipped
through her wet folds and fit against the entrance to her sheath.
    “Tell me you’re ready,” he gritted.
He knew she was soaking, had lapped up the proof, but he needed to hear her ask
for him.
    “Please. Reece, I want you inside
of me.” She panted and drew her thighs further apart and upward, setting her
feet flat on the mattress.
    He drove inside, one hard, full
thrust until his pelvis met hers. The silken, pulsing heat brought tears to his
eyes as his heart swelled in concert, and he closed against them, dropping his
head to her shoulder.
    “Reece? Baby?” The oh-so-familiar endearment made him lift his head.
“Are you okay?”
    “You held me at arm’s length,
darlin’. I wondered if I’d ever be this close to you again.”
    The sweet, feminine smile curving
her mouth was answer—and apology—enough, but she spoke in a husky voice. “I’m
so sorry. For everything. I missed you so much.”
    Resting his forehead against hers
he worked