In a matter of seconds, I was burning up inside. That was how enslaved I was to my body and to the need I simply could not deny. I couldn’t get enough of Ward. I doubted I ever would.

Our tongues tangled in a hot, wet, wild kiss that nearly brought me to my knees. Thank God I was leaning against the counter and Ward was holding me close. I could feel the hard, hot length of his shaft pressing against my lower belly. His hand cupped my bottom, holding me tight against him.

My panties were soaked and had been the entire drive home. All I could think about was getting here and getting naked. In that vein, there were far too many layers between us.

Tearing my lips free from his, I made quick work of the buttons on his shirt. In a rare exception, he wasn’t wearing a T-shirt today, but rather a worn, soft flannel button-down. I sighed at the feel of his warm skin under my touch, my hands mapping his chest and trailing down over the rippling muscles of his abdomen.

As I tore at the buttons of his jeans, he made even quicker work of my blouse. Unlike me, he didn’t bother to deal with the buttons. He simply tore at it, buttons pinging on the tile floor in my kitchen. Flicking my eyes up to his, I murmured, “Just ruin my blouse, why don’t you?”

Entirely unrepentant, he lifted one of his muscled shoulders in a shrug with a sly grin, his eyes flashing silver. It said something that even a shrug was sexy when Ward did it.

I grinned because I couldn’t help it, and then he was lifting me up, yanking my jeans down as he did. Somehow in a matter of seconds, he had all of my clothes off except for my panties. He lifted me up onto the counter behind me, the cool tile a balm to the heat licking through my entire body.

With his mouth on one of my nipples and his thumb teasing the other, I was panting and gasping hoarsely. His teeth scored my nipple lightly, and I cried out, tangling my fingers in his hair. I reached between us, tearing the buttons of his fly open, relieved he didn’t bother with briefs or boxers most of the time. The hot velvety skin of his cock felt so good as I curled my palm around it, shoving his jeans down around his hips to gain better access.

“Fuck, Susannah,” he murmured. “You make me crazy.”

Ward lifted his head, his stormy gaze snagging mine as his hand trailed down over my belly, his fingers dragging across the wet silk between my thighs.

“God, I love how wet you get. How long have you been like this?”

My emotions raw, nothing but need driving me, I answered honestly. “Since I saw you.”

His smoky gaze darkened further. He didn’t say anything, he simply shoved my panties out of the way and sank two fingers inside me, knuckle deep. I was so wet and so ready, I whimpered in relief. But it wasn’t enough. I needed him filling me, stretching me, making me forget everything but him and the connection between us.

“I need you,” I gasped.

He didn’t hesitate, stepping back slightly. He gripped his cock in his fist and dragged it through my folds, coating it in my juices. His eyes caught mine again. “You want this?”

Sensation was flying through me, sparks scattering through my entire body. I felt molten inside and out. Unable to tear away from his gaze or to form words, I merely nodded, rocking my hips toward him. He dragged his cock up and down again, teasing over my slippery wet clit.

“You’re going to have to say it.”

“Yes,” I finally cried out, somehow managing to form that one single word with my lips.

“Watch,” he ordered.

Only then did he break his gaze free of mine, looking down between us. I simply did as he asked, my eyes following his. His cock was a thing of beauty—hard and thick, glistening from my desire. Without even a hint of self-consciousness, he slid his fist up and down his cock as I watched. A drop of pre-cum rolled out of the tip, falling onto my belly.

I didn’t know how it was physically possible to need him more, but I did. That simple sight nearly pushed me over the edge, my channel clenching and throbbing.

“Ward, please. I need you.”

“Right here,” he murmured.

I became the demanding one, ordering him. “I need you inside me. Now.”

“All you had to do was ask,” he growled as he sank into me.

Crying out, I arched back as he gripped my hips, pulling me closer to the edge of the counter. He held still, and I sighed at the feel of the delicious stretch of him filling me completely.

“Susannah.”

Managing to drag my eyes open, I found his gaze waiting. My heart gave a hard thump. The moment was so intense and so intimate, I could hardly bear it. Yet, I did. Because with his eyes there and his body surrounding me, I felt safe.

After holding still for a few beats, he finally drew his hips back. He set a steady rhythm, drawing back and sinking in—again and again, a slow pull and slide. I was so drenched, so overcome with need, it was only a few strokes and then I flew apart, pleasure crashing over me with a wave so hard and intense, I lost sight of everything but Ward and the feel of him.

Distantly, I heard myself crying his name repeatedly. Amidst the aftershocks of my own pleasure, I felt his body tighten and then the heat of his release pouring into me with a final surge. Savoring my name on his lips, I watched as he lost control.

His head fell to my shoulder, his breath gusting against my skin. We stayed like that with me held tight in his embrace. I didn’t want to ever move and probably wouldn’t have were it not for the chill that raced through me eventually.

Ward lifted his head, his eyes catching mine. Without a word, he stepped back, easily lifting me in his arms and carrying me into the shower with him.

I was getting too comfortable with this, yet I liked it too much to try to create any distance just now.