“So fucking gorgeous,” he said hoarsely, drinking in his fill. “I love the nightie, darlin’. Much appreciated—” his hands reached for the hem—“but you don’t need it.”

Rain’s eyes glimmered in the low light of the hall and he saw the invitation and need in them. She only emphasized that need by lifting her arms willingly.

Craig flashed her a wicked grin and whipped the nightie up and over her head, letting the light fabric flutter to the floor at their feet. His gaze roamed her stunning body, his eyes feasting on her breasts. They were swollen, the nipples dark, tight little buds that he itched to suck.

Her chest rose and fell in fast breaths. “Craig . . .” She whispered his name urgently, her hand sliding up under the hem of his tee. His stomach muscles rippled at the teasing exploration, his dick straining painfully against his jeans.

He couldn’t wait to get her to the bedroom. He needed her. Now.

Apparently Rain was on the same page as she tugged his head down to kiss him. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders and she sucked on his tongue hard. Craig shuddered, and growled as the sensation sent more blood to his cock. He pushed her up against the wall, breaking the dirty kiss. “I can’t wait,” he told her breathlessly.

She nodded frantically, kissing him again as they both reached for the zip on his jeans. The sounds of their heavy breathing was a turn-on in itself.

He couldn’t wait. He needed inside her right fucking now. He reached into his back pocket, pulling out his wallet and then a condom from the wallet. He threw the wallet aside and shoved his jeans and boxer briefs down to his ankles, freeing his throbbing cock. As he rolled the condom on Rain kissed his neck, her little tongue flicking against his skin, making his cock twitch.

“Fuck,” he grunted, gripping her legs. He slid two fingers inside her, testing her readiness, and he almost came at how wet she was. That she wanted him that much was thrilling and heady. It also shredded his last remnants of control.

Craig spread Rain’s legs and thrust up into her.

“Craig!” Rain cried out in pleasure, her inner muscles contracting tightly around his dick. He held himself still in her for a moment, his muscles straining as he fought to control his need. She was so slick and tight, snug and hot around him. He struggled for breath for a moment as she flexed around him.

“Rain, fuck,” he growled, control gone. He hauled her legs up, and she followed his lead and wrapped her long legs around him. Holding tight to him, Rain panted with breathless excitement as he pounded them into the wall, thrusting into her hard as he glided in and out of her snug channel.

Close to blowing but needing Rain to come first, wanting to feel her explode around his cock, Craig pressed his thumb down on her clit.

“Ahhh!” He watched her flushed face as she cried out, her inner muscles rippling and tugging on his erection. That and the look on her face when she came was all it took. Eyes locked with hers, his muscles clenching, he let out a guttural grunt as his climax rocked through him, his hips jerking against her as he came long and hard.

He’d just fucked Rain against her hallway wall.

Craig fell against her, his lips on her shoulder, his chest against hers, her arms still locked around him. He turned his head and kissed her neck. “I’m sorry. I meant to do that on a bed.”

“I’m not sorry,” she whispered, her inner muscles flexing around him again. “It was hot. So goddamn hot.” She laughed lightly, making him grin.

He raised his head to kiss her and her hands slid into his hair again, holding him to her as she kissed him with an intensity that told him they weren’t done for the night.

That was more than fine by him.

* * *

That morning Craig woke before Rain did.

She was sprawled beside him, exhausted from another energetic night in bed with him. Her dark hair spilled over the pillow, much softer, longer, and thicker than he’d ever realized until the night she took it down for the first time.

As much as it might make him a bit of a dick, Craig had always been more fascinated by a woman’s body than her face. But there was a first time for everything, and as beautiful as her body was, Craig was mesmerized by Rain’s face.

He watched her sleep for a while, and as the clock on her dresser ticked quietly, forcing time along, Craig knew with a bone-deep certainty that he could watch Rain sleep forever and never be bored.

Years ago, before his dad died, Craig got up in the middle of the night to get a glass of water and found his mum asleep on the couch, lit up only by the fire glowing in the fireplace. His dad was sitting in the armchair opposite just watching her sleep.

He’d gestured to Craig to be quiet and followed him into the kitchen.

“What are you doing?” Craig had whispered in teenage boy confusion.

“Just watching your mum sleep.”

“Why?”

His dad had given him this knowing, secretive smile. “Because I like to watch her sleep. One day, son, you’ll know you’re in love when you can sit and watch your woman sleep for hours and never bore of it.”

At the time he remembered thinking he’d be lucky if he found what his parents had found in each other, although he’d never have said something so sappy out loud. But his dad seemed to know what he was thinking anyway, giving him that smile again before ruffling his hair and sending him back to his bed.

Craig felt a well of emotion rise up in his throat at the memory. His dad had been gone a long time and he’d made peace with that loss a long time ago too. But there were moments when the grief was sharper, tasting more bitter some days than others.