“Okay, you’re sure, right?” he asked. “I don’t want you to feel like we’re rushing things.”

Melodie shook her head so hard she worried it would fall off. “No, we’re not rushing. Well, we are, but I don’t care. Now, kiss me, and for God’s sake, no more interruptions.”

“Yes, ma’am. You know you’re wearing far too many clothes, don’t you?”

She giggled. “So are you. But, pathetic as it sounds, I’m going to need some help,” she added, raising her bandaged hand.

“I know, don’t worry. It’s all part of the service.”

Sitting up, she allowed him to take off her top and bra, feeling a little self-conscious when he still wore all his clothes. But that would be rectified soon enough. Stripping her, he eased her gently onto the bed and began to kiss her. Relaxing, she kissed him back, pouring all her hopes and fears into the embrace.

When he broke away and started to trail his lips down her body, she called a halt. “Hey, no. Absolutely not. No more messing around until you’ve got your clothes off.”

“Christ, you’re demanding, aren’t you?” He chuckled.

“Not really. I just want to feel your skin against mine.”

“Well, when you put it like that….” Hopping off the bed, he undressed in record time then clambered back up beside her. They drank in the sight of one another’s naked bodies.

Gladly, she did as he said and pressed her lips to his. The two of them had been through so much, they deserved to be happy. She pushed all the negative and difficult thoughts to the very back of her mind and concentrated on the here-and-now; on his lips, his arms around her, his hard cock beneath her.

Their mouths opened and their tongues began a dance, a sensuous and very erotic one. Sliding together, battling. She’d almost forgotten how it all worked, how to kiss, how to make love…but she’d figure it out, and fast. Her body already had. Tight nipples, heavy breasts, and slick pussy.

Then she stopped thinking at all. Her brain morphed into a pleasant, fuzzy kind of place while her hormones raced, her nerve endings exploded, and she became one big ball of blissful arousal. Patrick shifted, held her tight, and carried her to her bedroom. Or perhaps they floated.

Depositing her on the bed, he joined her immediately, his lithe body covering hers, his mouth seeking hers once more. His lips took a slight detour, brushing the sensitive skin of her throat, kissing and nipping her. She growled and another rush of juices seeped into her panties.