With swift hands, Jethro shoved my knickers to my ankles and waited as I kicked them away.

His eyes incinerated me as he grabbed my arse and hoisted me, pinning me in his arms against the scaffolding.

His lips claimed mine again, eating my every moan. I pressed my fingers into his rock hard biceps, relishing in his strength. Then I lowered my touch to undo the button and zipper of his jodhpurs.

His forehead furrowed as my fingers slid inside the dark heat of his boxer-briefs and captured his scalding cock.

“I’m going to fill you,” he murmured, thrusting into my hand. “I’m going to give you what I’ve been told all my life I couldn’t give.”

I bit my lip as I fumbled with pushing the tight material over his hips. I didn’t need to ask what he couldn’t give me.

It was obvious.

It wasn’t physical or even emotional.

It was more than that.

The catalyst of what made us human.

The ability to adore.

“I want to spill inside you, Nila.”

My eyes snapped shut. My body sung with dark music, twisting me, moulding me into some wanton creature. I opened my eyes and kissed him. “What are you waiting for?”

He positioned me so he could hold me with one arm. With his free hand, Jethro cupped my cheek, running a calloused finger across my lips. “Nothing…not anymore.”

My blood turned into a river of molten hunger.

With fumbling hands, I freed his cock, running my thumb over his slippery crown.

Jethro threw his head back, rocking into my palm.

My mouth watered to lick at the glistening sweat at the base of his throat.

I stroked him, harder and faster as pleasure hijacked my body.

Jethro shook his head, his eyes squeezed closed. “Stop. I’m too close…too fucking close.” His hands clutched at my arse again, spreading me shamelessly, presenting my wet pussy that was so close to his cock.

“Guide me inside you.” His eyes flashed. “Please, Nila. Let me fuck you.”

Unashamedly, I opened my legs wider.

Jethro breathed in my ear. “Today, you’re all mine.”

I bit his lobe, clamping my teeth harder than I intended. He flinched as I whispered, “Not just for today.”

His body shuddered. His movements became jilted and eager.

Without a sound, I positioned his cock between my legs and lowered a fraction, angling him inside.

Oh, God.

My eyes rolled back as Jethro growled, “Fuck, you feel so right.”

The words wrenched me from my stupor, granting me another clue.

I didn’t feel good or wet or warm—or any manner of things a man might say to a woman as he entered her.

I felt right.

Right to him.

Home to him.

Sucking in a breath, he thrust, sliding inside me.

The friction of the scaffold behind me bruised my spine as Jethro held me firmer in his arms. Instinct made me wrap my legs around his hips as he buried himself deeper and deeper.

He groaned as I rocked on him. My desire stole the pain of his size, twisting it into a heady aphrodisiac that made me cry out with longing.

Every inch of him invaded me—stretching me, claiming me.

Jethro bit my neck, trailing teeth down oversensitive skin. “I belong in you.”

I shuddered as his hips pulsed. I couldn’t agree more.

His arms tightened as he secured me in his grip; his legs spread further to balance. I knew he was preparing himself for an unrelenting pace, and my unrequited orgasm bloomed into being, eager, aching.

He thrust particularly hard, his muscled stomach kissing mine with every stroke.

My heart twisted deliciously. I hooked my arms around his neck, holding on and presenting myself completely to this man who held my soul.

Then everything else faded.

Hawks, Weavers, and all things twisted between us.

It was just me and Jethro. Heat and need.

He drove into me with powerful strokes, pressing me relentlessly against the scaffolding. My shoulder blades screamed for mercy, but my pussy begged for more.

I wanted punishment for falling for him.

I needed chastising for going against everything I’d believed.

Jethro seemed to understand. Our eyes locked and we drove each other on. Riding each other’s body, hard and brutal.

I lost myself in the rhythm, sinking my fingers into his thick hair.

Tugging his mouth to mine, I kissed him deep.

Our breaths became one; the ache inside my womb increased until I flamed with urgency to shatter. The pain of riding on the knife-edge of an orgasm layered the pleasure, turning it into a sharp almost unbearable delight.

Jethro dug his fingers into my arse, driving harder. His voice betrayed where his thoughts were. “Only once.” He grunted as he increased his rhythm. “Only once can I be this free.”

I couldn’t think straight. I was entranced, mesmerised.

What does he mean?

A loud groan wrenched from Jethro’s chest as his cock thickened inside me. His shoulders bunched as he bounced me faster in his arms.

My muscles tightened as bands of bliss prepared to release.

Jethro growled, capturing my mouth. His tongue pulsed savagely in time with his hips. He stole my thoughts. I lavished in the rushing hotness of my blood. Gushing, pushing into my core.

My heart bucked in my chest; I couldn’t get enough oxygen. I moaned, tearing myself from his lips to bite his shoulder. His arms trembled holding my weight. He sucked in a breath. “Fuck, Nila. I can’t—I’m gonna…”