In her.

Sank deep.

Sensation washed over her, arching her back and lifting her off the mattress.

With a hand on her stomach Reese brought her flat again, all without breaking the deep, intimate kiss. He locked his arms around hips, keeping her still, keeping her close. After another long, soft lick, he moved up to circle her clitoris with the tip of his tongue.

Alice moaned sharply, the pressure already building. He circled once more, teased and tasted, and then closed his mouth around her, sucking gently.

The exclamation of “Oh, God, oh,  God” dwindled to indecipherable groans as the climax uncoiled inside her. Even against Reese’s powerful hold, her body bowed again. She couldn’t keep from rolling up to the pleasure, moving against his mouth in a rhythm that enhanced everything he did.

He was voracious, unrelenting, and oh, so incredibly patient, almost as if he didn’t want to stop, as if he could have done this for hours.

She was almost there, reaching for the release, when Reese readjusted and put his fingers inside her again, filling her up, stretching her a little.

That did it.

Crying out, she gave over to release and slowly sank back to the bed.

She hadn’t yet gotten enough breath into her lungs when Reese straightened, her ankles still up on his shoulders, and thrust into her.

It was so unexpected that she gasped...but her climax had left her wet and soft, and with a low, vibrating groan he filled her up.

Locking his gaze with hers, Reese brought her legs to the crook of his elbows and slowly lowered himself over her. Her legs ached from the position, but she felt him so deeply, loved the raw pleasure on his face, and already her sensitized nerve endings sparked again.

Opening his palms over her br**sts, Reese rasped her ni**les while driving into her, and Alice exploded with another orgasm.

Reese waited until the last shuddering spasm had faded, then he stilled. Eyes squeezed shut, he said, “I’m not wearing anything.”

All but insensate, Alice lifted a limp hand to his sweaty shoulder. “I know.” Still tingling all over, she tried to shift beneath him.

He sucked in a breath. “Don’t.”

“I love your body, Reese.” She loved every single inch of him.

“I don’t mean clothes.” His teeth locked and he panted. “I skipped the rubber.”

Eyes widening, Alice stared up at him. That admission brought her around some, although every muscle remained mostly unresponsive. Beyond curious but not really alarmed, she put both hands on his face.

After Rowdy’s call, he hadn’t taken the time to shave, and she loved the rough texture of his beard shadow, how aroused color slashed his high cheekbones, the way he held himself in check—just barely. “Why?”

“Didn’t want to.” He kissed her, then kissed her some more, slanting his head for the perfect fit before finally coming up for air. His big body strained against hers. “I still don’t.”

That damned emotion gathered in her throat again, choking her, making her eyes burn. She tried a smile that quivered too much, giving away her heart. “Then, don’t.”

As if he’d just been waiting for permission, Reese stopped holding back. Again he took her mouth, his kiss consuming as he pounded into her, keeping her legs pressed back so that each and every stroke entered her so deeply, she felt him against her womb.

When he suddenly threw back his head on a harsh groan, his big body drawn taut, Alice watched him, enjoying every nuance on his face, glad that she was the one here with him.

He dropped against her, his heartbeat shaking them both, heat pouring off him in waves.

Usually she relished the closeness, but this time she protested his weight with a small wiggle. “My legs are dead.”

With what seemed like a great effort, Reese struggled up and helped to untangle her legs from his thick, muscular arms. He lowered them carefully, massaging her left thigh for a moment. “Okay?”

“It was worth it,” she whispered.

Smiling, he separated from her and dropped down beside her again, but he kept a hand on her belly, his fingers spread out to encompass her from hip bone to hip bone. The seconds ticked by while they both held silent, each concentrating on breathing.

Reese moved his fingers in a gentle stroke. “You are incredibly delicious, Alice.”

She had no idea what to say about that.

Turning toward her, he rose up on one elbow. “I haven’t had sex without a condom since I was an ignorant schoolboy.”

So that meant...something, right?

Far too serious, he smoothed her hair back, brushed her temple with his thumb. His brows came together, and his voice went deeper. “Even now, after just having you, I want you all over again.”

Oh, no way. “I’m not sure I could—”

He kissed her hard and quick. “It’s insane and unsettling, and I’m not sure I like it. Other women flirt with me and it makes me want you. Rowdy fills my ear with important info about the tattoo murders, and I want you. Lieutenant Peterson agrees to go undercover, and even that, something I never expected in a million years, gets overridden by thoughts of you.”

It finally occurred to Alice: Reese was telling her how he felt.

Joy filled her, along with contentment and excitement, and she smiled at him. “I’m glad you don’t want other women.”

This laugh sounded honest, more lighthearted and sincere. He dropped flat again. “God Almighty, woman, you kill me.” He took her hand. “And, no, I don’t want other women.”