“I want every bit of you, Ella,” he ground out though a clenched jaw.

“I’m right here. Take me.” Each time he was with her, he showed her just how beautiful sex could be. He was the reason she’d been able to walk through that door and act on her desire in the first place.

He thrust harder and harder, driving her mad with sensation, but not quite enough. She hung on the edge of climax.

“Shh, lean toward me. Change your angle. Let me help you.”

She dragged her eyes open to find him looking at her, hunger stamped on his features. When she leaned forward, she knew immediately why he’d suggested it. The length of his c**k brushed against her clit at this angle, providing the perfect amount of friction to shove her into climax with a surprised gasp.

“Christ,” he hissed as he held her, thrusting harder and harder until one last press deep, and he went to his knees, her legs still wrapped around his body.

Before she could disentangle herself, he stood again and took her into the bathroom connected to the master bedroom.

“You’re very strong.” She waggled her brows at him, and he laughed.

“You’re good for my workout. This is far more fun than lunges or running a few miles.”

“Your back might appreciate it if you put me down.”

He let go, and she slid off, kissing his neck, taking one last breath of him.

“You’re not heavy.” He kissed her as he pulled her jeans and panties all the way off. “Shower with me.”

“Okay.” What the heck? Why not?

He drew her into the huge, double-headed shower stall with him.

“Since you’re so dirty, let me soap you off.” She smirked and ran her hands all over his body, slick with soap.

He stood there, water sluicing over his muscles, over his tattoos and piercings, and never took his gaze from her. What surprised her so much was that his attentions never made her nervous. The way he looked at her made her warm inside. Made her feel confident and sexy.

“Best greeting ever.” He grinned and began to soap her up too. “You totally objectified me. It was awesome.”

She laughed, caught off guard. “I did. But never fear, I like you for your mind too.”

No one made him feel so f**king secure in himself. No one saw him the way she did. She tiptoed up to get his hair, and he ducked a little to help. Her fingers were strong and firm against his scalp, feeling so good he had to groan.

“I was a shampoo girl when I was in high school. For gas money.”

He laughed. “Feel free to practice on me anytime.”

Later, as they perched on his bed eating takeout, he leaned in and kissed her. “Thank you for the letter. I haven’t had anyone make me a mixtape in a very long time. What came over you, by the way?”

She expertly wielded her chopsticks, spearing a mushroom and popping it into her mouth. “You mean the letter or the way you looked like a dirty, dirty carpenter wet dream when I came in and then had to have you?”

“You’re a wonder to me. You know that?” He stole a spring roll from her plate, and she sent him an arched brow.

“I can’t be the first woman to see you all sweaty and work-mussed and have her hormones shoot into overdrive at the very sight.”

“The first woman who mattered. Yes.”

She smiled and ducked her head in the way he’d come to love seeing when it was sweet, not so much when it was from her embarrassment or shame over something from her past though.

“I missed you. You were there and you looked . . . God, I don’t know. Just all über manly and stuff. You touched the wood like you touch me. I love to watch you working.”

“I like it when you don’t hold back with me. Makes me feel like superman.”

She blushed. “You feel that way to me too.”

She knew just what to say.

“Did you bring a bag? Because I’m beginning to crave you in the middle of the night.”

“I did. Didn’t bother with pajamas as you only get annoyed when you have to wade through any clothing at all to get to me.”

“It’s your fault for being so irresistible.”

His cell phone rang. “Sorry, Red, it’s Ben’s ring. I need to get it.”

18

“Oh my god, if you people don’t leave me alone, I’m going to . . . I don’t know, but it’ll be bad.”

Ella looked at Erin, saw the annoyance first and then the worry just beneath it. Elise turned, worry on her face too.

“Hey, why don’t you go call your mom?” Ella touched Cope’s hand. He’d been tight and stressed-out since the call came in from Ben that Erin was in the hospital. “I’ll come get you if anything happens. You know she’d want to know.”

He let out a long breath. “I don’t want to leave just in case they need me.”

“You want me to call for you?”

“No. Fuck. She can wait. It can wait.”

“Okay then.” She took a step back, knowing being hurt was silly. He was worried about the baby. They all were.

“Ella, make them all go.” Erin reached a hand out, and Ella stepped forward to take it.

“Baby, you need to stay still and let them fuss.” Ella squeezed the hand not hooked up to the BP cuff.

“Elise. Come on, tell them it’s okay.”

Elise stepped closer, putting her chin on Ella’s shoulder. “They know. But they love you and the baby, and they worry.”