She shook her head. “Please…”

  With Laila begging, she was fucking impossible to resist. He wanted to be buried inside her, balls deep, now. Hell, he’d wanted that days ago. But she probably hadn’t been touched in months, and there was no way he would plow inside her like an insensitive asshole when she was feeling pleasure for the first time in her life.

  “Soon, honey. I want this to be good for you.”

  Laila nodded but let out a whine of protest as she planted her feet on the mattress and lifted her hips, impaling herself with more of his inches.

  “Jesus!” He dragged air in, starting to sweat as sensation tingled its way through his body and slammed down his spine.

  She tossed her head back, body twisting, and gripped his shoulders. “More…”

  He definitely had more to give Laila, lots more—inches, pleasure, and love.

  Gripping her hips, he pulled back, again nearly withdrawing, then plunged forward with gritted teeth, a bellow of a groan, and a blindingly insistent urge to bury himself completely inside her—something he could rarely do with any woman, given his size.

  Her back arched. She cried out, nails digging into him, as pure ecstasy softened her face.

  It spurred him on, driving him to dangerous places. He needed to stop here. Give her the orgasms she’d asked for and play it safe. The risk of hurting her was too great.

  But damn it if he wasn’t dying to bury every inch he had inside her until she screamed from being packed so full. Then he’d take her over the edge with stroke after hard, driving stroke.

  Telling himself to dial it the fuck down, he reached between them and dragged his thumb over her clit. It was slick and hard as stone. At his first brush, she gasped. Her body jolted. Her cunt clamped hard on him.

  “You like that?”

  She nodded. “What is happening?”

  “Orgasm, little one. It’s coming.”

  He could see it gathering inside her with the flush blooming across her chest, reddening her cheeks. Even her lips had gone full and red. Her nipples were like diamonds raking his chest. When she looked up at him again with a plea in her wide, glazed eyes, he felt her need in every cell of his body.

  So, so close… He rubbed her clit again, starting a steady, demanding rhythm that matched his tempoed strokes.

  She tensed, tossed her head back again, and cried out. “Trees…”

  Yes. He was on fire for her, and it took everything he had not to shove deeper and bury himself to the hilt. But she was so close. No way he would risk that by hurting her, especially since submerging every inch in her sweltering clasp would set him off. He would come instead of ramping her up and pleasuring her again for the sheer joy of watching her unravel and knowing he’d done that to her.

  “Ride it, honey. Feel the edge.”

  “It burns…” she gasped. “I feel blood rushing down, between…”

  “Your legs?” He pumped her faster. “Filling your pussy like I am?”

  “I cannot stop it.”

  “Just let it happen. Come for me.”

  She lifted her gaze to him, looking almost panicked. Her nails bit into his flesh as he pushed into her again, and her whole body went rigid. Pleasure flared across her face as she tightened on him, squeezing relentlessly. Then she wailed, her body thrashing, her hips rising, her legs curling around him as she pulled him in, closer, coaxing him deeper.

  At her silent demand for more, Trees lost control, scooping her up in his grip, planting his knees on the mattress, and hurtling his way home—to the hilt—with one desperate stroke.

  She took all of him, her orgasm seeming to rocket up to another level and sending her over an even higher cliff as she croaked out in agonized pleasure. “Trees!”

  He roared into her over and over, pounding deep, until he lost everything—his restraint, his load, and his heart—pouring them all into her and never looking back.

  His head swam and his vision went dark. The moment vibrated with the kind of ecstasy he’d never even imagined.

  What the fuck had just happened?

  Finally, he opened his eyes. His heart chugged like a runaway train. His breaths sawed in and out of his chest. He was still clutching her hips like his life depended on it, every inch of his cock shoved deep inside her.

  Oh, fuck.

  “Laila.”

  She blinked, looking shell-shocked and frozen. Oh, Jesus. Oh, fuck. What the hell had he done?

  He’d lost control, and he deserved every curse she hurled at his head and every shred of fury she would most likely unload on him.

  “Little one, I’m so sorry. I never meant to…”

  Tears leaked from her eyes, trailing down her temples and disappearing into her hairline. They were like twin stabs to his heart.

  Goddamn motherfucking son of a bitch.

  Thirty minutes ago, he’d wanted to kill every man who had ever hurt her, but in the heat of pleasure, he’d buckled and wounded her, too. The fact he hadn’t intended to didn’t mean jack shit.

  He wanted to touch her—softly, gently. Swear on a stack of Bibles that he would never cause her an ounce of pain again if she would just…what, trust him? Yeah, he’d fucked that up. He would be damn lucky if she ever spoke to him again. There was no way she would ever let him near her.

  And he didn’t blame her one bit.

  Trees wiped her tears away with a gentle touch. When she flinched, it felt like she’d sliced his heart in half.

  Slowly, praying like fuck he didn’t hurt her more, he began to withdraw.

  He was stunned when her arms and legs tightened around him as if she didn’t want to let go.

  “Honey?” He brushed a curl from her hot cheek. “What do you need? What can I do?”

  She gaped. “What happened? I did not know…”

  How deep he would plow her? How bad it would hurt? How much she would regret her decision to trust him? “What?”

  “My body would respond in such a way. I have never felt anything like that. I…”

  Wait? She wasn’t hurt but shocked? “Didn’t anticipate being able to climax with me inside you?”

  “Yes. Earlier, when you…” Fresh red bloomed across her cheeks.

  After what they’d just shared, she was embarrassed? “Licked your pussy?”

  With downcast eyes, she nodded. “The pleasure I felt then did not surprise me. No man had ever done that to me, so had I nothing to compare it to. But when you fucked me—”

  “I did more than fuck you, Laila.” At least he’d meant to. “I was trying to show you”—how I feel about you—“that sex isn’t about force but feeling good. Instead, I’m worried I hurt you more.”

  “I will be sore tomorrow.”

  That was a given. “I know. I’m sorry. So fucking sorry.”

  “It was not pain you made me feel.” She sent him a crooked, coy smile.

  “It wasn’t?”

  She shook her head, then stifled a heavy-lidded yawn. Trees tried to do the same. He was so damn tired after days without a full night’s sleep, and the monster orgasm had nearly done him in.

  “Don’t do that,” he scolded, unable to hold back his yawn.

  Laila laughed, the sound so light and feminine, even full of joy. She liked him teasing her?

  “Sorry. I will try—”

  But it didn’t work. She covered her mouth with her hand, but not before he saw her lips widen in another signal of exhaustion.

  He laughed back. “So much for that.”

  She giggled in return.

  The moment felt so sweet. Trees held her closer. He knew he needed to leave the softening clasp of her body and help her clean up so they could both have a good night’s sleep, but he was reluctant to let her go. This playful moment aside, would she ever want or trust him enough again to let him love her?

  Eventually, yes. He had to believe that. Something different had passed between them tonight—something he’d never felt. Their connection had been forged in passion, but it hadn’t ended with their mutual climax. Usually, he showered a woman in aftercare. Once he knew she was sated and settled, he zipped up and beat feet. He never lingered.

  Laila was different. He didn’t want to leave—her body, their bed, this moment. Instead, he dipped his head to take her lips again. She met him with a soft, sweet kiss of her own.

  Too soon, she pulled back. “Trees?”

  “What is it, little one?”

  “Did you enjoy sex with me?”

  She was kidding, right? “Absolutely. That was…” Epic. Amazing. Earth-shattering. Angels had sung. His world had been rocked. “Great. Did you?”

  Shyly, she nodded. “More than I thought possible. More than I ever have.”

  “I only ever want to keep you safe and make you feel good, Laila.”

  She gave him another encouraging smile. “Do you want me to be happy, too?”

  Trees could think of very few people on this planet who weren’t worthy of happiness, but Laila especially was. She’d been through hell, and she deserved a future that made up for all she’d endured.

  He’d love to be the man to give that to her. He could picture them now, together on his property, hoping for the best future, preparing for the worst, and growing the next generation.

  Really, you’ve got to slow down, buddy…

  “Of course I do.”

  Her smile turned brighter, her pouty, built-for-sex lips curling up until her face filled with joy.

  “Why would you think I wouldn’t?” he went on.

  “I-I did not know if…” She trailed off, biting her lip, reluctant to speak.

  “What we did meant something to me?”

  Laila took her time answering, but finally she nodded. “Yes.”

  He cupped her face. “You have no idea, little one.”

  She wasn’t ready to hear what he was thinking or how he was feeling. If he freaked himself out with that shit, he would freak her out even more. And she’d suffered what he suspected was years of trauma. She didn’t need anything more to deal with now. Besides, if there was even a chance she’d welcomed him into her body because she’d experienced anything like Stockholm Syndrome, he’d rather know that before he laid his heart at her feet.

  “It meant a great deal to me, too. Thank you for showing me pleasure.” She yawned again.

  She was obviously tired—and no wonder. She slept fitfully most every night, and after a couple of climaxes… Sleep needed to be on the menu. He had to stop selfishly wanting to stay inside her forever and let her rest.

  Slowly, reluctantly, Trees pulled from the snug clasp of her body and rose from the bed naked. He felt her stare on him as he stepped into the bathroom to grab a warm, wet towel.

  When he returned, she watched him carefully, her stare both appreciative and anxious. Was she worried about his feelings for her? Or had she felt the crazy connection, too?

  Trees turned those possibilities over in his head as he peeled the covers back from her body. Her naked beauty hit his consciousness one curvaceous inch at a time—her slender shoulders, her lush breasts, her tiny waist, her gently rounded hips, her sleek thighs, and her tiny feet. Damn if he didn’t want to crawl back into bed and merge his body with hers again. His cock certainly stood up and saluted the idea.

  Her drowsy, half-mast eyes reminded him that she was too tired.

  “Spread your legs, little one.”

  Laila’s stare turned cautious. Trees dialed back his disappointment. He was accustomed to subs, women who knew that he was patient and fair but firm as hell. If he gave an order, they followed, trusting that he had their best interests at heart.

  But trust was exactly what he and Laila didn’t share. Hopefully, tonight had helped to bridge some between them, but he was a realist. He wasn’t expecting a woman who had probably been abused for years to trust him in a handful of days simply because he’d made her come.

  For now, he met her stare with calm patience, letting her either ask him questions or work the situation out in her head.

  Finally, her legs parted and she reached for the damp cloth. “I can do that.”

  He held it away from her. “I know you can, but I will. Lie back.”

  Again, she hesitated, and he sensed she wasn’t comfortable. He nearly backed off, but he wanted her to learn that he would take care of her in all ways. He wanted her to realize that she could rely on him. And he needed her to understand that he had the drive and desire to care for her. That was part of his happiness.

  After another stretch of silent seconds, she slowly complied.

  “Good girl.” He settled the warm cloth against her pussy and wiped her gently, lingering over her swollen opening. When he pulled the towel away, he glanced at it, wincing when he saw traces of blood.

  He returned to the bathroom, cleaned himself, then slid into bed, where he found her watchful and silent. “I need the truth. Did I hurt you?”

  Laila’s dark brows furrowed. “There was some pain just before climax, but…”

  “But?”

  “That somehow added to my pleasure,” she admitted almost as if she was afraid to. “I know that does not make sense, but—”

  “It does.” Perfect sense, and what it told him about her thrilled him all over again.

  She could take every inch of his cock and be happy about it because she liked a little pain with her pleasure. Could she be any more fucking perfect?

  Laila shrugged. “Are you going to sleep now?”

  He’d rather stay up and talk to her, maybe make love again. But they needed rest, especially if he was going to drive this tank all day tomorrow to avoid highways and major towns to reach Lafayette.

  Trees didn’t want to think about what came next, after she realized she wouldn’t be reunited with her sister. But one problem at a time. She would be better equipped to cope with the disappointment after a good night’s sleep. Then he’d break it to her gently, help her understand the team’s rationale.

  “It’s best if we do.”

  She nodded. “If you would sleep better, turn off the bathroom light. It must shine in your face.”

  “It doesn’t bother me. I can sleep about anywhere. I want you to be comfortable. And I know you’re afraid of the dark.”

  Laila sent him a sharp glance. “I did not say that.”

  “You didn’t have to. It’s obvious.” And he was fucking dying to know why. Now probably wasn’t the time to pry, but… “Do you want to talk about the reason?”

  “No.” Her answer was instant and emphatic.

  “Okay. I won’t push. But if you need the light…”

  “I feel safe with you here.”

  That warmed him. Tonight had been good for them. Baby steps, but a start. Trees hoped like hell he could build her feelings into something as real and strong as his.

  “We’ll try it dark. If you get scared, tell me.”

  “You will turn on the light?”

  “Or I’ll hold you until you feel secure.”

  Laila closed her eyes. “Thank you for…everything.”

  What was the wistful note in her voice? “You’re welcome. Sleep well.”

  She murmured something he couldn’t understand, then rolled away.

  Unsettled, he flipped off the bathroom light, then closed his eyes and hoped his screaming gut was wrong, that it was the jitters of new feelings putting him on edge.

  Trees tried to stay awake to hear her deep, even breathing before he drifted off. But days without rest and the heavy, lazy drag of sexual gratification washed over him. He was asleep in under a minute.

  He woke up sometime later to the sound of a click, like a latch slipping into place. He reached for his gun, then rolled over to find Laila, to protect her, only to discover her side of the bed empty.

  She was fucking gone.

  Chapter Seven

  Laila’s teeth chattered as she wrapped her arms around herself and darted along the edge of the campground, looking for lights that might indicate friendly people willing to help. She’d underestimated how cold it was outside and regretted not swiping one of Trees’s flannel shirts from his bag when she had taken twenty dollars from his thick wad of cash. But her guilt had been too great to take anything more. Once she reached Louisiana and her family, she would return every penny.

  For now, she shelved her remorse and scoured the area, knowing she wouldn’t get far on foot, especially in flip-flops. But other than the campground’s streetlamps, she saw no lights. Had everyone already gone to bed? She had no idea what time it was, except late.

  Now what?

  Every bone in her body screamed at her to go back to the RV and rest, back to Trees and the seeming safety she suspected he could actually give her.

  But he wouldn’t give her freedom or take her to her sister—two things she desperately wanted.

  There must be someone awake in the campground. It wasn’t full since it was a Wednesday night, but there were public facilities of some sort at the end of the lane. It was fully lit. Did that mean someone was using it? She didn’t see anyone.

  Then a door slammed behind her.

  “Laila!”

  Her heart stopped. Trees was already awake and after her? How? She’d left the RV three minutes ago.

  Ducking behind a dumpster, she squeezed her eyes shut. Her mind raced. If she returned to him, she would be no closer to her family. If she ran from him, how far would she make it alone?

  No, she couldn’t be defeatist. She was resourceful. She was resilient. She had once survived for ten days on a canteen of water and a bag of flour. She could reach Louisiana.

  “Laila!” His voice sounded farther, as if he’d headed toward the entrance to the campground.

  Following him wasn’t an option. Nor was remaining here. There were too many lights; he would find her. That left trying to hide in the public facilities, where he would undoubtedly track her, or heading into the thick line of trees a few trailers away.

  The forest it was.

  She would hide there, wait until he gave up, see about keeping herself warm in a tree or with some leaves. Come morning, she would find civilization elsewhere. And help. She would be wrapped in her sister’s embrace by tomorrow.

  Peeking around the dumpster, she caught a glimpse of Trees’s retreating back as he headed for the campground’s office, now dark. She looked longingly at the RV. He had warmer clothes inside… But no, she had taken from him all she intended to. She had survived the last eighteen months in her brother-in-law’s compound on her own. She would do the same here.