Chapter Seven

Sloane watched her sleeping lover. His chest rose and fell with even breaths. His face relaxed in slumber, like a wolf napping after a long night with his mate.

And she was his mate.

The knowledge she belonged to him vibrated in every muscle of her body. He'd wrecked her for anyone else. Yet, the terms of the agreement stated one night only. Would he want to see her again? Or was her lifestyle not suited to the future he craved?

A frown marred her face as her thoughts jumbled. She travelled constantly. She played all night and slept during the day. She made a ton of money and her job required her to meet a wide range of people, especially men. Not one of her previous lovers could handle it.

So why did her gut whisper he was the one she'd been looking for?

There wasn't a man alive with enough balls to order her, spank her, and give her pleasure to the limit of his own. In a few hours, he made her feel precious and cared for. He made her feel like the woman she was meant to be—both inside and outside.

But love didn’t happen in one night. It was a mirage, and would slip away in the cold morning light. Sloane had to remember the facts. She’d enjoy every last moment with him, but in the morning, they needed to part ways.

His eyes flew open as if he recognized her thoughts. She reached out and traced the stubble of his beard. He grabbed her hand and nipped at the pad of her finger in mock punishment. Sloane fought to keep the hope from showing on her face that morning wouldn't turn him into a pumpkin.

“I thought you were asleep.”

“Not with an hour left before dawn.”

She turned her head so he wouldn't glimpse any weakness.” I know,” she said softly. “My turn for a question. You never told me how you ended up as a dealer.”

“Must be in the blood. My father dealt in Atlantic City his whole life. We grew up by the shore—good old Jersey boys. My mom brought us up as strict Catholics, which was hysterical since gambling is a sin. Surprised the church didn't catch on fire when all of her men tidied up nice on Sunday mornings.” His face reflected an open affection and love when he mentioned his family. The hunger to belong to his inner circle clawed at her gut in an effort to be freed. “My parents are retired now, and my most of my brothers have taken up the reigns.”

“How many brothers do you have?” she asked curiously.

“Three. Rick, Rafe, and Remington. Remington is a dealer in AC. Rafe is in the military. We get out there for holidays and big occasions, but I think my parents are happy to finally have the house to themselves. They like to travel.”

She smiled. “You sound like you have a close family.”

“I had nothing to complain about. I had a solid childhood. I learned to live hard and play harder. I like money, travel, and casinos. But I love an evening in with a cold beer and my lab at my feet.”

“You have a dog?”

He nodded. “Golden lab. Name's Bella. She's not as bad as Marley but close. I have a good friend who looks in on her when I'm on a long shift.”

Sloane thought about coming home after a hard day to warm affection and furry loyalty. Imagined coming home to Rome to share every bit of her day. Yearning permeated every pore. “I always wanted a dog. But I'm not home enough, and I never stayed in one place for too long.”

As if he spotted her secret thoughts, he studied her face, memorizing every feature and unlocking her secrets. Then he pulled her head down and kissed her.

Sweet. Deep. Complete. She sighed and gave it all back to him. He dragged her hand to his evident arousal and she squeezed. He let out a groan. His cock felt like iron coated with silk.

“You're finally going to let me touch you?”

He grinned with male satisfaction and propped himself up on the pillows. “For now.”

She narrowed her eyes as her temper surged. He consistently kept her on edge, which only added to her arousal. Sloane made a vow to make him pay. He challenged her with his gaze to give her best shot.

Sloane gave a fake simper and batted her eyelashes. “May I give you pleasure, sir?”

He nodded. “Go ahead.”

Bastard.

Let's see how he liked to play her way. She dropped her head over his chest and let her hair tickle his skin while she explored with her tongue. He tasted like salt, musk, and man. His muscles jumped under her hands as she massaged every inch of him, sinking her teeth into his hard belly and laughing low at his muttered curse. He grew longer and harder, pushing against her thigh in demand, but she ignored him, concentrating on other parts.

The sharp curve of his hip. The meatiness of his thigh. The flat brushed nipples surrounded by dark hair.

Her fingers coasted down his shins and she huffed her warm breath over his throbbing length. He tensed in anticipation and power surged in her blood. Finally, she was free to bestow pleasure on her own terms. With greediness, her hands cupped his balls and stroked, exploring the iron length of him, collecting the drops of moisture around his tip as she rubbed with teasing strokes up and down.

His sharp command raked over her ears. “Take me in your mouth, now.”

Her pussy clenched in response and she opened her mouth to slide him in. He groaned as she took his cock deep in the back of her throat and slowly sucked. She swirled her tongue around the tip while she clenched the base of his cock with her hand. The tight squeeze thrust his hips up as he asked for more.

Excitement pulsed and pounded in her blood, and moisture dripped down her thigh. She wanted him to come in her mouth, wanted to give him the mind blowing pleasure he'd bestowed for hours, and she became frantic as she bobbed her head up and down, licking, sucking, until—

“No!” The cry ripped from her throat as he hauled her up and on top of him. She struggled to get back to her original position, but he stilled her with firm hands on her hips. “Ride me. Ride me and make me come, Sloane.”

A new lust burned within, and she quickly sheathed him with a condom, parted her legs, and sunk deep.

“Rome!”

He stretched her fully. Her clit throbbed against his shaft, and she moved up and down, setting her own pace, as she matched demand for demand to make him come around her. His hands rubbed her breasts, and tugged her nipples, and she set a frantic pace, bucking, and arching her body as the delicious tension tightened harder and harder. With one last thrust, she scraped her clit against him and shattered.

Sloane cried out his name as his fingers dug into her hips with male satisfaction. She rode the wave and crashed, and he followed her right behind. The orgasm went on and on, shaking her body like a tree in a hurricane, until she collapsed against him.

His breath came in ragged gasps and stirred the tendrils of her hair. His heart thundered against her ear. A sense of completeness swept over her.

A feeling of home.

“What have you done to me?” he murmured. She didn't answer. Just let herself slide into the silky darkness, held tight by the man she was already falling for.