He tore his mouth from hers, threw his head back and let out a low, animalistic growl. His body shuddered above hers, his breathing harsh and uneven.
She closed her eyes and sucked in lungsful of air as spasms of delight rocked through her. Moments later, she opened her eyes to find him staring down at her with an expression so caring it brought tears to her eyes. He kissed her tenderly, softly and with an emotion that frightened her. In that moment, Simona knew she was in danger of losing her heart.
Donovan slid out of her and rolled over to his side, still touching and caressing her. “Where’s your bathroom?”
“Right through that door,” she murmured, pointing to the right while trying to keep her eyes open.
Minutes later, she felt the bed dip beneath his weight when he returned. He scooted behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Sleep well.”
She smiled and drifted off. Turned out he was just as good at tucking in big girls as little girls.
* * *
Donovan woke up an hour later and smiled. Simona was sleeping soundly beside him. She consistently took care of others, and he wanted tonight to be all about her. He tightened his arm around her and kissed the top of her hair. Something about this woman made him want to give her everything. And he was. As hard as he tried to hold back, he couldn’t, not when she had given him her all. His mind and heart were still at odds, but the scales were starting to tilt, and he hoped he wasn’t making a mistake in trusting her. He glanced over at the clock on her nightstand and sighed. For the first time in a long while, Donovan wanted to spend the night with a woman. In the past, he’d preferred to wake up in his own bed. Alone.
Moving carefully so as not to disturb Simona, he rolled over and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He retrieved his scattered clothing and dressed. Donovan quietly left the room and tiptoed into Yasmine’s room to check on her. She lay on her back with her arms spread and had kicked the covers off. He covered her with the blanket and for a moment watched the rise and fall of her little chest as she slept, then he went back to Simona’s room. She was sitting up with the sheet around her when he entered.
“I thought you’d left,” she said softly.
Donovan observed the uncertainty in her eyes. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her onto his lap. “Baby, why would you think I’d leave without saying goodbye?”
Simona looked away. “Because they always do. They all promise one thing and do another.”
He turned her face toward his and tucked the braids behind her ear. “I will never do that to you, and I will always keep my promises.” He rested his cheek on top of her head and held her protectively. Her vulnerability called to him, tempted him to undress and climb back into that bed to prove to her that he was not like the men in her past. Donovan battled with himself for several minutes. “It’s late, and I should be going. You have to work in the morning, and so do I.”
She nodded. “I understand.”
“Understand this—nothing has changed from what I told you earlier. I know men have lied to you in the past, but I meant what I said. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Okay. What time do you have to be at work?”
“Oh dark hundred,” he answered with a chuckle. “Six a.m.”
She scrambled off his lap, losing the sheet in the process. She snatched it back up. “It’s almost one in the morning. You’re going to be exhausted tomorrow.”
“Maybe, but tonight was so worth it.” Donovan rose to his feet and kissed her soundly. “Come lock up.”
“Let me grab something to put on first.”
He grinned. “Don’t get dressed on my account. I like what you’re wearing.”
Simona rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
“What? I know you’re not going to act shy, not after what we just did.”
“Donovan,” she whined.
“Fine, I’ll go wait.” He shook his head. “Get the goodies, then kick a brother out. Just cold,” he muttered. Donovan stalked out with Simona’s laughter following him. She joined him wearing a nightshirt that stopped midthigh and walked him to the door. She came up on tiptoe, wound her arms around his neck and kissed him with a passion that had him on the verge of carrying her back to bed.
“You sure know how to make a girl’s night. Next time, it’s my turn,” she added with a sultry wink, running her hand over his shaft.
Blood rushed to his groin. He closed his eyes, clenched his fists and inhaled deeply. He opened his eyes to find her leaning against the wall, arms folded, with a sly grin and a challenge in her eyes. “You little tease. Good night.”