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Coating his fingers with her juices, he rubbed them along the dark cleft of her behind, tracing the tight opening before pushing the tip of his finger inside. She was tight, but he forged inward until his finger was buried as far as it could go. With his other hand, he teased the slick folds of her sex, occasionally dipping inside her slit.

Candy slowly undulated her hips as he removed his finger from her tight bottom. Grabbing the tube of lubricant that he’d already opened, he coated his fingers with the cool, slick gel. He pushed one finger past the taut band of muscles at her opening and then carefully began to insert a second one inside her ass.

“You’re so tight, sugar.” Lucas could feel a bead of sweat roll down his back as the muscles of her behind clamped down on his fingers. He didn’t want to hurt her.

“I know,” she moaned. “It hurts, but it feels so good too.”

He stroked his thumb over her swollen clitoris as he pushed two fingers into her pussy. She was so aroused, so close to coming. He could feel it in the way her muscles rhythmically tightened and released. It was now or never.

He removed his fingers from her behind and carefully inserted the tip of his cock. It was a tight squeeze, but the gel he’d spread over the condom helped. Lucas’ chest was heaving as he struggled to control himself. He didn’t want to come until Candy did.

The hand teasing her pussy was soaked with her juices as he continued to stroke his fingers in and out of her depths. She was crying out now and when she pushed her ass back against him, he slid deeper into her. His cock was only about halfway into her, but he didn’t think she could take any more. Not now.

And it was enough that she wanted to take him this way. Had taken him. Her cries were frantic now as she bucked against him, seeking release. He pushed harder with his fingers, stroking her clit, driving deep into her core. Shoving a third finger inside her, he felt the change. Her entire body spasmed, clamping down on his fingers and his cock.

Lucas gritted his teeth and hung on, trying not to come yet. But his balls drew up tight to his body and his cock began to pulse. It was too late. The muscle in his jaw throbbed as he forced himself to keep his body steady. The need to shove his cock deep was overwhelming, but the need to never hurt Candy was greater. So, as he held his body rigid, his cock jerked as he came.

As their bodies shivered and shook with their release, Lucas closed his eyes and absorbed every feeling. It was incredible. It was only when Candy began to slip back down to the mattress that he carefully removed his fingers from her pussy. Bracing his hand on the bed to keep from slumping down on top of her, he groaned as he eased his cock from her behind.

Using what energy he had left, he rolled to the side of the bed and removed the condom, dumping it in the bedside garbage container. Candy hadn’t moved from where she’d slumped back against the mattress. Lucas tugged the sheets out from under her and crawled in next to her, pulling the covers over them both. He eased her into his arms and she snuggled, settling herself against his chest. Her breath feathered across his skin as she slept easily in his arms. He tightened his arms around her as he drifted off to sleep.

Candy awoke feeling better than she had in days. The feel of a large, male body tucked so closely around her own assured her that it hadn’t been just a dream. They were both lying on their sides facing each other and she could feel the steady rhythm of his heart beneath her palm. A calm descended upon her. This was where she belonged.

Her eyes snapped open as she felt his cock growing, pushing against her stomach. His pale blue eyes twinkled and his lips were turned up in a wicked grin. “I guess you’re awake,” she teased.

“I guess I am.” As he stretched one hand over his head, she thought he resembled nothing more than a sleepy, satisfied bear.

“Is it morning yet?” She stifled a yawn.

“No.” He brushed a lock of hair out of her face and smoothed it over her shoulder. “It’s still night.”

She tangled her fingers in his chest hair before flicking one of his nipples. “So, where do we go from here?” Part of her knew that this conversation should wait until morning, but the other part of her needed to know where she stood.

He froze next to her. She could feel every muscles tighten beneath her hand. “Where do you want to go?”

Candy was beginning to wish that she’d kept her mouth shut until morning when she was thinking more clearly. She shrugged, stared at his chest and tried to figure out what to say. She didn’t want to say anything to disturb their newfound closeness, but she wanted him to know everything. “I got a job offer.” She hesitated when she felt him tense next to her. “In New York City.”

“I see.” He sat up in bed and she was left staring at his back. “Is it a good job?”

She wished she could see his face. It might give her a clue as to how he felt about this. “Yes, it’s a great job with a huge publishing company. The salary and benefits are much better than I have now.”

“That’s good.”

“I haven’t decided to take it.” She sat up, tugging the covers around her as she reached out and placed her hand on his back. He flinched when she touched him, but didn’t move away.

“If it’s the best thing for you, then maybe you should.”

She froze. “Didn’t tonight mean anything to you?”

“Sugar.” He turned and slipped a finger under her chin, tilting it up until she was looking into his face. “Tonight meant everything to me. I love you.” His face was solemn as he stroked her jaw with his thumb. “I want you in my life. Now and forever.” He paused and his smile was tinged with sadness. “I know you might not be ready for that right now, and maybe you might never be ready. But I’ll take whatever you want to give me. If we have to have a long-distance relationship, then I’m willing to try. I can’t leave my new location right away, but I can come to New York on weekends and you can come back here. We can make it work.”

The sheer depth of emotion in his voice mesmerized Candy. He loved her. He had said the words, but more than that, his every action proclaimed it. She knew he’d held back when they’d made love. His care for her humbled her, while at the same time, it made her heart sing.

He’d been brave— she could do no less. “I love you too.” She stroked her thumb across his bottom lip. “I want to be with you. Now and forever. I never really wanted to move, but I knew I couldn’t stay here if things didn’t work out between us. Too many memories.”

“Are you sure, sugar? I don’t want you to regret not taking that job at some point in the future.” His brows furrowed. “Your career is important.” He nipped at her thumb, teasing the pad between his straight white teeth.

And he thought he was too rough and uncaring. Candy was moved by his concern for her. “I’m sure.” She reached out and stroked her fingers over his brow, smoothing away his frown. “I’m happy where I am. And I don’t want to leave my life here.”

“You’ll move in with me?”

“You asking me or telling me?” His quick change of subject left her breathless. He certainly was moving fast.

Lucas laughed. “Asking, sugar. Like I said, I’ll take what I can get.”

“Yes.” Candy wanted to love Lucas again. This time, she didn’t want him to have to hold anything back.

“Marry me, sugar?” The words tumbled from his mouth in a rush. “Damn, I didn’t mean to ask yet. I wanted to buy a ring and cook you supper. Set the scene and do it right. Forget I said that.”

“No.”

Lucas closed his eyes and hung his head. “That’s okay, sugar. I understand.” He raised his head and tried to smile. “Like I said, I’ll take what I can get.”