The hard, hot length of Ward’s cock pressed against my low belly. Despite his order to ignore it, I couldn’t. Need unspooled inside, spiraling through me. A full body flush bloomed, my sex clenching. I could feel the slick heat of my desire, my panties wet just from the feel of him.

I was so rattled inside and out — from Ward, the effect he had on me, my pregnancy, and a jumble of overwhelming feelings. It unsettled me to savor his protectiveness and high handedness. I’d never have expected myself to want to sink into a man like that. I wanted nothing more than to let him sweep me into his embrace and make everything okay. When I was wrapped in his heat and warmth, that was how I felt—safe, protected, as if the rest of the world didn’t exist and everything would somehow be okay.

In so many ways, it wasn’t okay. I was flabbergasted by my pregnancy and by the certainty inside that I wanted to have this baby, even though it was sending my life careening down a path I hadn’t even seen. It was shaking me to the core to realize Ward wasn’t simply disappearing from my life.

His fingers sifted through my hair. His other palm slid up and down my spine in warm passes, his touch strong and sure. Emotions were charging through me, a tangled mess inside. My doctor had warned me I would experience rapid hormonal shifts. I kept trying to chalk up my churned state to my pregnancy and hormones. Yet, a part of me knew, deep down inside, that the way Ward made me feel was feeding into all of this at a level I couldn’t even comprehend.

I didn’t want to ignore his cock. In fact, I wanted to lose myself in him and in the wild storm of need, desire, and emotion between us because that was the easy part. So when his palm slid down my spine again, cupping my bottom, I allowed myself to let go and arched into him. On the heels of another shuddering breath, my body wracked with need, I tumbled into the fire between us.

His hand stilled in my hair. “Susannah?”

I answered his question without a word, reaching between us and running my hand roughly over the length of his cock, almost groaning at the feel of him. I flicked my eyes up to his, catching his silver smoke gaze.

“You said it yourself, we do this quite well. No sense in pretending otherwise.”

His eyes were locked to mine, heat flashing in them. Yet, he held still. “I think we need to talk first,” he said, the mere sound of his gruff voice sending a hot shiver through me.

I stared at him, my pulse thudding so hard and fast I could hardly breathe. “I’d rather not,” I murmured, sliding my palm up and down his cock, savoring the subtle growl that came from his throat. “Here’s the thing, I’m having a baby. It’s probably crazy, and we didn’t plan on this, but it’s happening. You said it yourself though. I want you. You want me. We’re pretty good at this, so let’s not worry about the rest right now.”

Ward held my gaze, his eyes flickering with something I didn’t know how to interpret. That was the funny thing with us. I knew him intimately in the physical sense. Frankly, sex with him was so damn good and so intimate, I had no idea what to make of it. Yet, beyond that, we didn’t know each other particularly well. There was still the inconvenient, awkward issue that we were working together now.

“And we have to figure out how we’re going to deal with this with the crew. It might be best if I switch to a different crew,” I managed over the thundering beat of my heart.

Ward shook his head, his eyes narrowing. “No.”

I should’ve been annoyed with his tendency to assume he could call the shots, but I could’ve cared less. That was the thing about tumbling into the fire with him. I could forget everything else. I started unbuttoning his jeans. Lightning fast, he reached between us, catching both of my hands in one of his.

When I tried to tug free, he didn’t give. “Let me go,” I muttered.

“Only if you promise to stop avoiding me. I’m all for this…” He paused, palming my ass with his free hand and rocking his arousal into me as if to punctuate his point. “But don’t run hot and cold on me.”

Staring into his gaze, a wave of emotion rocked me. I’d known it four years ago when I let myself have a taste of him. Whatever lay between us was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. My need for him had such a wild, reckless edge to it, so strong it had frightened me. Yet, that had been one night. I’d walked away believing I’d never see him again.

Now he stood before me, every glorious, crazy sexy inch of him—mine for the taking. And I was pregnant and my emotions ran the gamut. His request was fair. I didn’t usually run hot and cold on anyone. But then, no man had ever affected me with such power that I wanted to shy away. His gaze was implacable. I knew he wouldn’t budge, so I swallowed, trying to tamp down the emotion threatening to overwhelm me.

“I won’t. I’m just…”

All of a sudden, tears pricked at my eyes again and my throat felt tight. This was precisely why I preferred to lose myself in sensation. It was so much easier than thinking. “It’s just a lot, and I’m trying to figure it out,” I said, my words thick.

I felt so vulnerable with him, and it made me want to run away again. But there was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide—from his far too perceptive gaze, from the strength of his embrace. He surprised me again, his hand easing loose around mine. And then his lips were feathering across my cheek, dusting along my ear and down my neck—his touch gentle and so hot, I could barely withstand it, almost melting into a puddle at his feet.

I fumbled with the buttons on his jeans, nearly frantic for him now, moaning when I felt the velvety skin of his cock. Right there, no barrier to keep me from wrapping my palm around it. I’d never once in my life contemplated whether I cared if a man wore boxers or briefs. I loved the fact Ward wore neither. His breath hissed between his teeth and then his mouth was on mine, his tongue sweeping inside—commanding, demanding, and taking over our kiss immediately.

His hand, which had been sifting gently through my hair, tightened its grip, tangling roughly. The sharp sting of the tug on my scalp sent sparks flying through me, a pleasure pain so intense I moaned into his mouth. Our tongues dueled in the deep, wet, openmouthed kiss—so wild and so hot, my knees nearly buckled. It was rather convenient to have his strength holding me up, his palm squeezing my ass. He lifted me against him, and I curled my legs around his hips.

He held me with ease. I loved it, loved that feeling of being encompassed by his strength. I reluctantly released his cock, wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders and tearing my lips free to gulp in some air.

Ward didn’t miss a beat, his lips blazing a trail along my jawline, his tongue teasing the shell of my ear, the heat of his breath sending a hot shiver through my entire body. He nipped my neck before lifting his head as he turned to carry me toward the stairs.

“Bedroom,” he growled, his words more of an order than a question.

I nudged my chin toward the stairs. “Upstairs to the right.”

He walked with me, his stride strong and sure, like everything about him. The feel of his hard cock rubbing against me through the layers of fabric between us, a subtle abrasion over my clit, sent sharp streaks of pleasure through me. He made me crazy. It was everything—his power, the feel of his arms holding me tight, and the hard length of him nestled between my thighs.

I nipped at his neck, running a hand through his hair. I loved the taste of him, salty with a woodsy, musky scent. His foot caught the top stair, and he stumbled slightly, steadying us quickly, never once losing his firm grip on me.

“Fuck, Susannah,” he murmured. “Killin’ me.”

I lifted my head, a sly grin curling my lips. With the clear knowledge of how out of control he made me, I loved knowing maybe, just maybe, he was as close to the edge as I was.

“Hurry up,” I said, my voice husky.

His palm gripped my ass, and he squeezed, his fingers grazing so close to that sweet spot between my thighs, my hips rocked against him. He never broke his gait, dipping his head to nip at my neck. Everywhere he touched me was like a bolt of lightning.

“Here?”

I’d been so wrapped up in the taste of his skin along his collarbone, I’d forgotten where we were. Lifting my head, I found the door to my bedroom straight ahead. “Oh, you’re good at following instructions,” I said with a giggle, nodding and tapping my toe against the door.

He freed one hand, reaching behind us to turn the knob and kick the door open. Spinning around, he walked straight to my bed in the center of the room, pausing with me still held firmly in his embrace. His eyes caught mine, dark and intent. For a loaded moment, we stared at each other, the air heavy around us. With a growl, he claimed my mouth again—a hot, wet, breath-stealing kiss that melted me inside and out. I was nearly limp in his arms by the time he drew away after one last deep stroke of his tongue.

Cupping my bottom, he rocked his erection into me, sending a spike of pleasure straight through the center of my body. He eyed me for a beat as I tugged at his T-shirt.

“Off,” I huffed.

His mouth curled into a smile. “Kinda hard to get it off with you in the way.”

He stared at me, his gaze considering, and then slowly eased me down. I started to yank at his clothes, but he stepped back and had me naked in no time. No surprise, but he was efficient. My clothes lay in a rumpled array on the floor in a matter of seconds. He lifted me, stretching me out on the bed, his knee coming to rest between my thighs.

Naked, my breasts feeling achy, and my nipples puckered, I was flushed inside and out and soaking wet. Just looking up at him made my sex clench. I could feel the moisture between my thighs. I wasn’t even thinking when I reached between them, desperate for relief, dragging my fingers through my folds.

His eyes darkened. “No,” he said, his tone brooking no dissent.

I couldn’t believe it, but I stopped, taking my hand away and letting it fall to the bed. Bending a knee, I rolled one thigh open, never once looking away from his searing gaze. “If you won’t let me take care of it, you’d better.”

His eyes raked down my body, pausing at the apex of my thighs. My sex felt swollen with need, clenching simply at the feel of his gaze on me. I allowed my eyes to soak him in. He stood above me, his jeans half open, his cock hard, thick and erect. My channel clenched again. His eyes snagged mine, the need there so raw it took my breath away.

I swiped my tongue across my lips. “You have too many clothes on.”

Ward didn’t say a word, but his gaze darkened further. He reached behind his neck, lifting his shirt off in one motion and baring his hard muscled chest for me. I started to rise on my elbows, but he shook his head sharply. The mattress rose as he pushed away, kicking his boots off and shoving his jeans down. Leaning over me, he trailed his fingers from my breastbone down the center of my body, my belly fluttering under his touch.

“I love your red curls here,” he murmured as his fingers slipped through them, one finger sliding through my folds.

A whimper escaped as my hips arched up into him. “So tell me Zanna…” My eyes flashed up to his. My hips flexed again with another pass of his finger, the blunt, calloused tip coasting over my clit and sending sparks of pleasure everywhere. “What do you want?”

The sound of his voice alone felt like a caress. I wanted him—every hard, thick inch of him buried inside of me. So I said so. “You. Inside of me.”

He nodded slowly. “We’ll get there, but I need something first.”

Then, his hands pushed my thighs apart, and his lips trailed kisses along the insides of my calves. By the time his mouth reached the apex of my thighs, my hips were writhing, and I was panting.

There was foreplay and then there was what Ward did—torture and pleasure tangled together. He sank a finger in my channel. I felt the burn of his gaze on me, and I managed to drag my eyes open.

“I’m going to taste you now.”

His words were so blunt and direct, my pussy clenched at the mere thought of what he was about to do. Then, his mouth was on the core of me, his fingers teasing along with his lips and tongue.

“You taste so fucking good.”

Ward took no prisoners. With a maddening mix of rough and gentle, his hands and his mouth devoured me. Pleasure spun tighter and tighter inside. Caught in a current of sensation so intense, I lost sight of everything but the feel of his mouth against me, his tongue and fingers making me crazy. He drew back for a moment.

“Zanna.”

No man had ever used that nickname with me, and certainly no one had ever used it the way he did. His voice made love to the nickname. It felt like a brand on me, as if he were claiming me.

“Look at me. I want to watch your face when you come.”

I couldn’t have denied him even if I wanted to. I didn’t. My eyelids heavy, I dragged them open. The moment my eyes met his, I was locked into his gaze. He dipped his head again, his eyes dropping down as he dragged his tongue across my folds and buried his fingers in me. With a swirl of his tongue around my clit, he caught it lightly in his teeth.

I flew apart as he lifted his head, his gaze snagging mine again. Pleasure unraveled inside, fracturing me and rocking my body with wave after wave. Caught in the undertow, I cried out. The only word I seemed capable of speaking was his name—again and again and again.

Boneless, I felt his fingers draw away, and then the feel of his lips and the rough scrape of his stubble on my belly. He mapped his way up my body, lingering at my breasts, teasing my nipples with his tongue, a score of his teeth and a pinch of his fingers.

It was no matter I’d just had an earth shattering climax. By the time his weight settled over me and I felt his cock resting against my folds, hard and pulsing, I was already frantic with need again. My hands mapped his muscled chest and back, gripping his hard ass. I dragged my tongue along his neck, the subtle taste of him something I needed like air—at least in this moment, spinning in the eddies of desire from my explosive climax.

“Zanna.”

Opening my eyes, I found his waiting, flashing silver and seeing right through me. I was tangled up in pure, raw sensuality and need mingling with an intimacy I could hardly bear.

He rocked his hips against me, his cock sliding across my clit. Between my own desire and the madness he’d wrought with his mouth, I was slippery wet. His elbows rested at my shoulders, one of his hands brushing a few tangled curls off of my forehead. When he rocked his hips into me again, a whimper escaped. I felt so desperate when I was with him, as if nothing could slake my need. Only him.

His hands slid down my shoulders, catching mine in his and stretching them up above my head. My body arched and flexed, my breasts pressing into his hard chest. My nipples were so tight they ached.

With another rock of his hips, his cock slid across my clit again, sending a shock of pleasure spiraling through me. “I need you,” I gasped.

“Right here,” he murmured, his voice soft and steely at once.

“No, I need you inside me,” I demanded, curling my legs around him and arching against him. “Don’t make me wait.”

Though he had all the control, without a doubt, he didn’t make me wait. With my hands held tight in his, he adjusted the angle of his hips and started to ease into me. When I felt his hard, thick length begin to stretch me, I got restless, rocking into him, needing the rough feeling of him filling me.

“Ward,” I gasped, his name a breathy plea.

For a moment, I thought he was going to tease, but his hands curled tightly to mine, he drew back and sank home in one swift surge.