Protecting the Boundary (LA Wolves #8)

Chapter 40

FORTY

I nod because my words are completely gone, and he leads me up the stairs toward his bedroom.I never told him I came in here that one day. Maybe I should have, but after what I saw, I couldn’t.

My stomach dips at the thought of walking in and seeing her picture.

He wouldn’t do that to me after everything he just said tonight, right? No, he wouldn’t.Romel’s not that kind of guy.

I nibble my lip as we reach his door and he pushes it open, then pulls me inside.My eyes sweep around the room quickly, and immediately I notice two things.

One, the picture is no longer on his nightstand.

And two, his bed is different.Or at least the bedding.Where there was a navy comforter with floral print is now a dark gray comforter with black lines around the edges and matching pillows.

Taking a breath, I take a moment to see what else might be different.

I notice a couple of other changes from the last time I was in here.There was a dresser on the far side of the room with a jewelry box on top and a couple of glass bottles of perfume.The whole dresser is now gone.

I’m not sure when he found the time to do it because usually I’m around the house if he is.But it’s clear he’s taken the time to make the space more his own and not his and Sydney’s.

He squeezes my hand, his skin warm against mine, and cups my cheek with the other.He doesn’t speak, and neither do I, because at this point I don’t think either of us need words.

We need actions, we need touch, we need reassurance—both of us—that the other person is here standing in front of us. That this isn’t a dream.

My breathing grows shallow as he dips his head down and seals his lips over mine.

There’s nothing in the world like kissing Romel Watson.

His lips are thick but firm, and somehow with every kiss, he takes another piece of my heart, and this one is no different.

My hands move to the buttons on his shirt, slowly undoing each one.He doesn’t stop me, and he doesn’t rush me.He just kisses me in between every button I get undone, and watches my movements with a heated gaze.

When I get his shirt all the way unbuttoned, I run my hands along his firm pecs.

I love touching him like this, so freely, like he’s really mine.

His hands wrap around my waist, pulling me tighter against him before they move up to the zipper of my dress at my back. He pulls it down slowly, the sound of the zipper sliding down the only noise in the room apart from our heavy breaths.My heartbeat races the lower it goes, until he gets to the bottom. My dress slips down my torso to the floor at my feet.

His tongue darts out to sweep across his lips, as if the sight of me makes him absolutely ravenous.

My heart pounds as I stand there, exposed, in just my bra and panties. Romel’s gaze is intense, like a physical touch, as he takes me in. His eyes linger on every curve, every line, as if he’s committing me to memory.

“You’re so damn beautiful, Meredith,” he murmurs, his voice like velvet wrapping around me. His hands cup my face, thumbs brushing my cheeks, and he kisses me again. This time it’s deeper, hungrier. His tongue slides against mine, exploring, tasting. I can feel his need and it ignites my own.

I push his shirt off his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. My fingers trace the lines of his muscles, the ridges of his abs. He shudders under my touch, his breath hitching. I love that I can do this to him, that I can make this strong, reserved man tremble.

He reaches behind me, unclasping my bra with a flick of his fingers. It falls away, and his hands immediately cover my breasts, his large palms warm and slightly rough. He thumbs my nipples, sending jolts of pleasure straight to my core. I gasp into his mouth, arching into his touch.

“Romel,” I whisper, his name a plea on my lips.

He smiles against my mouth. “I’ve got you,” he says, walking me backward toward the bed. The back of my knees hit the mattress, and I sit down, scooting back as he crawls over me. His body covers mine, his weight supported on his elbows. He looks into my eyes, his own dark with desire and something more, something deeper.

Romel’s hand slides down my side, over my hip, and hooks into the waistband of my panties. He pulls them down slowly, his knuckles brushing against my skin, sending goose bumps across my flesh. I lift my hips, helping him, and then I’m bare before him.

He sits back on his heels, his eyes roaming over me. “God, you’re perfection,” he says, his voice hoarse.

His words send a flush of heat through me, and the wetness between my legs grows. I spread my thighs slightly, inviting him, needing him to touch me there. He takes the hint, trailing his fingers up my inner thigh, making my core clench with anticipation.

When he finally touches my pussy, I let out a soft moan. His fingers slide through my folds, spreading my wetness, circling my clit with a gentle touch that sends sparks of pleasure shooting through me. He watches my face, his eyes locked on mine as he makes me gasp and squirm.

“You’re so wet,” he murmurs, his voice thick with desire. “Is this all for me?”

“Yes,” I whimper. What I don’t say is that it’s only for him. No man has ever made me so wet before. No man has turned me on the way Romel does.

He smiles, a slow, sexy smile that makes my heart flutter. He slides one finger inside me, then another, stretching me, filling me. I rock my hips against his hand, chasing the sensation, the building pressure. His thumb stays on my clit, rubbing in slow, deliberate circles that make me see stars.

“That’s it,” he encourages, his voice a low rumble. “Ride my hand. I wanna watch you fall apart for me.”

I do as he says, grinding against his hand, taking what I need. The pleasure builds and builds, my body tensing, my breath coming in short gasps. And then it hits me, a wave of ecstasy crashing over me, making me cry out his name.

Romel watches me come, his eyes filled with awe and desire. “Goddamn, Mere, you’re so sexy.” I love how hoarse his voice is, as if he’s barely hanging on. He brings his fingers to his mouth, tasting me, and the sight of it sends another shiver of pleasure through me.

He stands up, quickly shedding the rest of his clothes and grabbing a condom. His cock is hard and thick, standing proudly, and I can’t help but lick my lips at the sight of it. He sees the gesture and chuckles, a low, sexy sound .

“Another time,” he promises. “But right now, I need to be inside you.”

He climbs back onto the bed, his cock now covered with a condom, and settles himself between my legs. He leans down, capturing my mouth in a searing kiss. I can taste myself on his lips, and it makes me even more aroused. His cock presses against my entrance, hot and hard, and I whimper into his mouth, needing him inside me.

He pulls back slightly, his eyes meeting mine. “I want to see you, Meredith,” he says, his voice raw with emotion. “I want to watch as my cock fills you while you’re in my bed.”

My heart races at his words. This time feels different because we’re in his bed. He’s not hiding me away in the guesthouse. He’s finally bringing down some of his walls and letting me in. I hold his gaze as he slowly pushes into me. I feel every inch of him, filling me, stretching me, completing me.

He groans, his eyes never leaving mine. “You feel so good, Mere. So perfect.”

I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper into me. He starts to move—slow, deep thrusts that hit every sensitive spot inside me. I match his rhythm, our bodies moving in sync, our breaths mingling, our eyes locked on each other.

There’s emotion in his gaze that has my chest feeling tight. It’s affection, desire, and need, and it’s all for me. I reach up, cupping his face, my thumb brushing over his cheek. He turns his head, kissing my palm, his dark eyes never leaving mine.

His pace quickens, his thrusts becoming harder, more urgent. The pleasure builds again, my body tensing, my breath coming in short gasps. He slides his hand between us, his thumb finding my clit, circling it in time with his thrusts.

“Come with me,” he says, his voice strained with the effort of holding back. “Let go, Meredith. Let me feel you come all over my cock.”

His words send me over the edge. My orgasm hits me like a tidal wave, sweeping me under, consuming me. I cry out his name, my body convulsing around him. Romel groans, his body tensing as he finds his own release, spilling himself into me.

He collapses on top of me, his body trembling from the force of his orgasm. I wrap my arms around him, holding him close and feeling his heart pound against mine. Our bodies are slick with sweat as our breaths come out in ragged gasps. But we don’t let go of each other. We can’t. Not yet.

Romel lifts his head, looking down at me with such tenderness it makes my heart ache. He brushes a strand of hair away from my face, his fingers lingering on my cheek. “That was…” he starts, but words seem to fail him.

“I know,” I say before he can finish his sentence. It was everything.

God, I’m so in love with this man.

Did I ever even stand a chance?

He rolls off me, pulling me with him so that we’re lying on our sides, facing each other. His hand traces lazy patterns on my hip, sending gentle tingles of pleasure through me. I can’t believe how responsive my body always is to his touch. It’s never been like this before.

“I want you to know,” he says, his voice serious, “that this isn’t just sex for me. It’s not just some fling. You matter to me, Mere.”

I look into his eyes, seeing the sincerity there. He leans in, kissing me softly. It’s a sweet, gentle kiss, full of tenderness.

And maybe it’s dangerous, but his words give me hope that one day he can love me the way I love him.