Delaney

I hold onto Cillian as he rides me hard and deep, shocked by my own desperate cries, but even more shocked by the pleasure ripping through me.

I cry out and arch my hips. The pressure building in my clit is almost unbearable.

My mind and body completely unravel. The sensations building inside of me are almost too much.

I’m so close.

He lunges inside me with a rhythm that leaves me fighting to hold on to my sanity.

The sensation is fierce and addictive.

I’m at the edge, blind to anything but the pleasure he’s giving me.

“Let go, Delaney,” he growls out.

And I do.

I don’t just come, I explode. White hot rapture consumes me, and I’m left fragmented. My mind is ripped of any reason, just all-consuming pleasure.

I’m lost.

I’m only distantly aware of him thrusting one last time before he collapses on top of me, burying his face against my neck and groaning with his own release.

Wow.

Wow.

Wow.

Have a mind-blowing orgasm.

I didn’t even think it was possible. I’ve never been able to have an orgasm during sex, at least not without some other stimulation. But he didn’t just make me come, he blew my freaking mind.

My body is still pulsing with the aftereffects. It felt like a dream, but he was better than any dream or fantasy I’d ever had.

When he shifts onto his forearm and looks down at me, hunger blazing in his blue eyes, a wicked grin playing at his lips, I know holding my heart back from him won’t just be difficult, it’ll be damn near impossible.

He presses his mouth to mine quickly before rolling away. I feel the loss of his heat and shiver. He gets out of bed, discarding the condom in the bathroom, before coming back to the bedroom, then grabbing a pair of jogging pants from the dresser.

I pull the comforter over my body. My clean clothes are in my suitcase, and despite everything we just did together, I’m suddenly self-conscious. There’s no way I’m getting out of bed and trekking across the room naked.

I’ll wait until he leaves.

He roughs his hand over his scruff and looks at me. I can’t tell what he’s thinking. I can never tell what he’s thinking. He’s so damn guarded all the time.

“That was…”

“Mind-blowing,” I offer.

He chuckles, some of the tension leaving him. “I guess ye get to cross off two things on yer list.”

“Yeah.” I smile.

“I’m glad I could be of service.” I know he’s teasing, but I want more from him than just light banter.

Just sex, Delaney, I remind myself.

He glances at the door, and I wonder if he’s trying to think of a way to leave without hurting my feelings.

“You don’t have to worry.”

“About what?” His eyes narrow on me.

“Hurting my feelings. You can go if you want.”

He drags his hand over the back of his neck. “I was actually thinking I wouldn’t mind staying in here tonight. If ye don’t mind. The couch isn’t made for sleeping.”

Oh.

My heart hammers a little faster in my chest. I nod.

His lips twitch up slightly. After he turns off the lights, he pulls the comforter down beside me and crawls in. He lies on his back, placing a hand behind his head, staring up at the ceiling.

We lay in silence, and I wonder what he’s thinking. My own brain is a chaos of thoughts and emotions, and I wish I could turn it off, like he appears to have done.

Enjoy the moment.

I ache in places I didn’t even know existed. It’s a good ache. A reminder of the pleasure we shared.

His thigh touches mine, but the rest of his body is pulled away from me.

I sigh. There’s no way I’m going to sleep now. My head is spinning and I’m still naked.

“What’s wrong?” he grumbles.

“Nothing.”

“Delaney.” It’s a command.

I start to get out of bed, but he reaches out and captures me around the waist, pulling me back into bed with him. He’s on top of me, and the warmth of his bare chest against my breasts makes my nipples harden.

“Where are ye going?”

“To get something to sleep in.”

His callused fingers roam across my skin, and his lips press against the sensitive skin below my ear. “But I like ye like this.”

A tremble races through me. “It’s not fair.”

“What isn’t?”

“You’re dressed.”

He chuckles. “No, I guess that isn’t fair, is it?”

A second later, his pants are discarded on the floor, and he pulls me back to him so that my back is against his chest, and my ass is snug against his already semi-hard erection.

A murmur of pleasure leaves my throat, my body already wanting more.

“Goodnight, Delaney,” he growls against my ear, his scruff tickling my neck.

I yawn. “You can’t expect me to sleep when you’re holding me like this.”

He chuckles, his thumb flicking across my nipple. “Close yer eyes.”

I moan, but my eyes close, and I’m suddenly aware of how exhausted I am. But this – cuddling – it’s totally against the rules he set out. Isn’t it?

“But–”

“Sleep.” His voice is softer now, his breathing steadier.

Melting into the warmth of his arms, I allow myself a moment to enjoy his touch. I have no delusions that it means anything more than what it is. But it’s…nice.

No.

It’s perfect.

Even if I just get this one night, this trip has been worth it. No matter how messed up my life will be when I get back.

Find your happiness. Maeve’s words whisper in my mind.

Cillian woke my heart up to both. It doesn’t matter what tomorrow brings, I’ll always be grateful for what he gave me tonight.