She responds with a shivering laugh, a gasp and a shudder that moves through her entire frame. For just a moment, her nails dig into his back, and her shoulders lift off the bed, a throaty whine escaping her lips.

Her scent changes, anticipation fading, overwhelmed by a wild joy and the deeper, ever-present undercurrent of love.

Her eyes close as her head tips back. "I love the way you hold your ground," she breathes. "I need that, need you to ground me."