A/N: Here's the one you've been waiting for. Probably more awaited than the baby being born, I'd wager. Hope it's been worth it. Enjoy and please let me know what you think!
Oliver could only stare at the display announcing his sister's call, forgetting how to even make the simplest of responses as it rang twice more. It took Felicity shifting in the passenger seat for him to press the button on the back of the steering wheel and answer.
"Ollie! It's over. It's done," Thea cried before he even had a chance to say her name and he felt his stomach sink.
Felicity's nails digging into his palm brought him back and when he risked a glance over to her he could see how white she was, guilt splashed across her face that he wasn't with Thea just then.
He quickly raised their joined hands pressing his lips to her knuckles before he let out a quick exhale and leaned his head into her too cool skin, hoping she knew that there was no place he'd rather be.
"Thea…"
"Not guilty!" she blurted out sounding half excited, half surprised, but mostly just relieved. "They said not guilty on all counts. She...there's paperwork to process and then she can come home, right now, tonight!"
He was grateful they were at a stoplight because for a second his mind went blank. It didn't seem possible. He'd known how bad it was. He'd known how much evidence was stacked against his mother. Never would he have guessed she'd be found not guilty on all the charges.
"Where are you? Is Felicity okay? You...you left, and…" in the span of a few words her voice switched from concerned, to ill disguised hurt with a tinge of betrayal.
"She's...something happened at the office, it'll be on the news. She's okay now." he couldn't bring himself to verbalize it, he didn't know if he knew how.
"Now? So are you coming to the courthouse?" she sounded so young, so vulnerable. He hit the gas too hard when the light turned causing the car to jolt forward, Felicity's gasp and frantic release of his hand to grab onto the dash and door making him curse at his carelessness.
He let out a huff of annoyance, his frustration and residual anger over what had happened earlier in the night took over, "No, Thea we're heading back to the house." He wanted to pound the steering wheel, to push the car to its limit, to have some sort of release for what was threatening to explode inside him.
Silence from his sister and his now empty hand made him shoot a glance towards Felicity, the lights from a passing car making the tears slipping down her face glisten for a second before she was in shadow once more.
"Speedy-" he breathed out, tone softer and full of apology.
"We'll see you back at the house then," she said quickly, too rattled by the past few days to successfully hide how much she was forcing herself to sound unaffected.
The distinct noise of the call disconnecting seemed to echo in the now silent car. He scrubbed one hand over his face, wincing when it pulled at his now throbbing wound but he was glad for it. By focusing on the pain it gave him somewhere to channel the other emotions that were threatening to take over.
A block later he knew he was in control enough to reach for Felicity's hands, she had both of them in her lap, cupping her belly. Oliver slid his fingers into her palm, knuckles pressed into her as she gripped him tight and they remained quiet while he finished the drive to the mansion.
The press was thankfully not waiting for them at the front gate when he pulled through which meant his mother and Thea hadn't left the courthouse yet. It also meant the police had managed to keep quiet that Felicity had been the one held hostage by the Count, and Oliver thought he probably had Quentin Lance to thank for that. But he knew the onslaught was coming. The Queen's would be page one news for days.
He parked as close to the front steps as possible, racing around the car to reach for her door before she could attempt to get out on her own, but when he opened it he found her sitting in the same spot, eyes staring vacantly ahead.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, dropping to a crouch to be at eye level with her, one hand coming out to lay on her knee.
Felicity jerked at his touch, hand splayed over her middle before her eyes cleared and he knew she was actually seeing him.
"I'm sorry,"
"Don't apologize, I…" his jaw clenched tight as a flash of her tied to the chair, looking terrified and helpless went through his mind.
"You killed him," her voice was flat and emotionless and so unlike her.
Oliver's stomach dropped, "He had you and the baby-"
"You didn't have a choice. I know," she twisted in her seat, knees bumping into his chest as she lifted a hand to brush over the spot on his arm where his injury lay and then up to his face to trail gently across his temple.
"I told you when this started that I'd do anything to protect you."
Her eyes welled with tears as she nodded, "You did," she breathed out as a whisper, leaning forward to bury her face in his neck.
All the air left his body at once as he gathered her to him, scooping her into his chest, the scratchy blanket given to her by the paramedics falling forgotten to the seat as he rose and turned to climb the stairs. She didn't protest like he expected, but he wouldn't have put her down for the world. He needed her in his arms where he knew she was safe.
The door opened before he had a chance to pause, the warm, knowing face of Raisa greeting him as he stepped into the foyer.
"It's on the news now, Mister Oliver, all of it," she said sagely as she looked at Felicity in concern. Her eyes then locked on his, hardening for just a second, "You protected your family. You did well."
Oliver froze, Felicity shifting in his hold to turn and look at Raisa as well, because she'd just spoken to him in Russian and the weight of her words was heavy.
Then it was over, and she turned that soft, kind look to Felicity, "Take her to bed, Mister Oliver. I'll bring up something hot to drink very soon. I thought Mrs. Queen and Miss Thea would like something to eat when they arrived."
"Thank you, Raisa," he replied through a thick voice, not trusting himself to say anything else.
They were halfway up the stairs before Felicity's fingers ran along the edge of his collar, head nuzzling into the hollow of his shoulder, "What did she say?"
"Nothing. Don't worry about it." he replied immediately, his focus now on getting her upstairs where he could look her over and make certain she was safe.
But he should have known Felicity wouldn't accept his dismissal, "Oliver…"
"She...I think she knows."
Felicity sucked in a sharp breath, hand curling into the fabric of his shirt as he reached the top of the stairs and began to head down the hallway.
"I guess it's the night for that, huh?" He felt her hesitate, and the way her body filled with tension in his arms, "I'm sor-"
"Don't."
He cut her off abruptly, "Don't say you're sorry. The only thing I regret about tonight is that I couldn't stop you from being taken. Everything else I would do again."
The bed had already been turned down and as soon as he sat Felicity on the side he dropped to his knees in front of her, hands bracketing her belly as he finally allowed what had happened to slam into him.
Every bad thing that could have happened seemed to roll through him and he was helpless to stop it.
Felicity being shot.
Felicity falling out the window along with the Count.
Two needles plunging into her middle as the syringe was depressed.
Blood pooling around her as she lay slumped on the floor.
A soft hand trailing through his hair and down the back of his neck along with quiet words eventually made their way through.
"You're shaking," she said, voice full of worry as her fingers softly scratched through the stubble along his jaw and slid under to gently tip his chin upwards, "I'm right here. You saved us. We're safe."
"You almost weren't-" the words choked off, throat too thick to continue, the fierce burning behind his eyes making him slide forward even further, arms wrapping her hips as he dropped his face to press into her belly.
"I can't lose you," the words were muffled by her clothes, and he couldn't stop the way his lips pressed into the soft swell that hid their child. A stray thought made him wonder if the baby could hear him. He couldn't remember just then.
"You not going to lose me. Never." she whispered fiercely, hands running over his head and back, trying to bring him comfort any way she could.
A ragged, horrible breath escaped from his lungs and he didn't move because it was all still too much just then, "He had his hands on you and...I wanted him dead." he growled, just stopping himself from digging his fingers into the soft flesh of her hips, instead he flattened his palms to the mattress to fist the sheets instead, "But when he threatened the baby-"
"I know." she stated, strong and sure and the memory of her calling his name reverberated in his head. She knew exactly what he had felt. The hot rush of something beyond protectiveness that had taken him over. It was old, ingrained, something at the cellular level that had nothing to do with what his name was, or what he'd experienced in his life, it superseded all of that.
"You're not a monster. You're not a killer. You're a father."
The words hung in the air, swirling around him until he heard them again and accepted them with another stuttered exhale as they settled on his shoulders like a mantle.
There were long minutes where he just held her, or rather she held him. When the air passing through his lungs no longer felt like knives he slowly raised his head.
Her eyes were red rimmed, hair falling out of her normally sleek ponytail and he immediately shoved the remainder of his issues aside because she needed his full attention.
"Hey, what do you need?"
Her mouth opened immediately to say 'nothing' but then it clanked shut as her eyes clouded, "A shower. I...I need a shower. He-" she shook as one hand raised to cover her neck and Oliver saw red.
"Felicity,"
He was on his feet, stance wide, hands clenched at his side as unimaginable thoughts rolled through his mind. Three arrows hadn't been enough. He should have emptied his quiver.
"No! Oh god. No." she was standing too, hands clutching his desperately but he couldn't get them to release, every muscle in his body as tight as it would go as he waited for her to finish, "He...touched my hair and my shoulders, that was it. That was it." she repeated.
His arms were around her, holding her just as tight as he had at the ambulance, needing another minute.
"How?" he asked, voice still more affected than he would have liked but as he drew back far enough to see her face she seemed to understand.
"You know I'd never have gone if I'd known," she began, chin wavering only slightly and he knew he needed her to know he wasn't angry at her.
"I know. I know that. John said you were meeting Lance to get the sample," his words were softer now as his hands trailed slowly up and down her arms.
Her head dipped in one quick nod, "He met me outside the office. I thought he was going to give me a lecture, about you and me and the baby but he didn't. But I think he still wanted to. He probably didn't understand why I was helping the Arrow while I was with you. Not that he has to wonder about any of that anymore since he knows. He didn't arrest you though, that's a good si-"
He dropped his hands to her shoulders, squeezing gently to break her speech. Her eyes flew to his in surprise, both of them still for a second before another shudder rolled through her.
"What happened after that?" he prompted quietly.
She blew out a long breath and continued, "I took the sample, told the Detective goodnight and went inside. Everything was fine until I got to the elevators. He-" she bit her lip and looked away, eyes shutting tight for a second, "He was waiting there, in the shadows. I didn't even know until the doors opened. The next thing I knew he had me from behind."
He wanted to put his fist through the nearest wall, instead he pulled her into his chest again, tucking her head under his chin.
"I should have known he was there. Digg's always telling me to listen to my senses and not be caught off guard, but-"
"You thought you were safe. You were in our building. This is not your fault."
A half-sob, half-exhale cut across his neck, hot and quick as her arms banded about his back.
He held her until her heartbeat didn't feel like that of a hummingbird's under his hand, finally leaning back to take her face in his hands, "Still want that shower?"
"Very much," she answered immediately, doing her best to give him a smile. He couldn't resist dipping his head to meet hers, the kiss going from soft and reassuring to passionate and needy so fast it made his head spin.
They were both breathing hard when he pulled back, "Sorry," he murmured but she had a half glazed expression that made him think she wasn't sorry at all.
Her palms were hot as they pressed against his shirt, nails scraping along his back in meaningless patterns and he knew if he kissed her again he wouldn't be able to stop.
"Let's get you in the shower," the low, gravelly tone betrayed his real feelings and the way she looked up at him through her lashes sent a flare of heat down his spine. It was an unintentional innuendo she would say and he had to clench his teeth to keep from imagining himself joining her.
But she was the one who stepped back, putting much needed distance between them and an unspoken agreement was exchanged. She knew now wasn't the right time.
He led her into the bathroom, not dropping her hand as he reached into the massive walk in and turned on all the shower heads.
"Do you want me to stay?" the words slipped out, he hadn't meant to ask.
Her bottom lip was caught between her teeth causing him to suppress a groan. His thumb and forefinger captured her chin before he could stop himself, running over the still pink flesh even though her lipstick was now long gone.
"I'll be okay," she said shakily, and this time he knew it was because of him and not the terror she'd been through.
He slid his hand up to cup her cheek, loving how her eyes shut and she leaned into his touch, "Okay. I need to make a few calls. Do you want anything?"
Her nose wrinkled, "No. I don't think I could eat, but some of Raisa's magic tea would be nice."
"I'll be here when you get out," he promised, letting her know that he wouldn't be gone long.
He dropped one more kiss to her lips, making sure to keep it short before he stepped away.
"I'll be okay," she assured him, and as her chin rose he believed her. She was the strongest person he knew.
"I love you."
This time her smile was wide, "I love you." she returned and he felt like he could actually walk out the door and be parted from her if only for a little bit.
"Leave it open." she called and the knot in his gut returned hard and twisting. Instead of saying anything he did as she asked, walking back into the main room.
One hand was already searching his pockets for his phone, the other scrubbing through his hair before pinching the bridge of his nose as he thumbed almost angrily through his contacts and hit 'call'.
"Dr. Sanders, this is Oliver Queen," he said without preamble when the phone was answered.
"Mr. Queen, I've just seen the news. How's Felicity? I can meet you at the hospital in less than fifteen minutes-"
"She's not...she's home."
"Was she cleared at the scene?" the doctor asked briskly.
"They said she was fine but-"
"You'd like a little more reassurance." she finished for him, and he nodded even though she couldn't see him.
"Has there been any cramping? Tightness? Pain? Any bleeding?"
"No." he said immediately, "At least I don't think so. She hasn't said anything about that." another flash of Felicity with blood pooling around her legs struck him hard and he had to brace one fist on the desk until he could banish it.
"That's good. If she didn't fall and there was no direct trauma to her abdomen she and the baby are most likely physically fine but I can still meet you if you'd like."
"I'm afraid the press isn't going to let us go anywhere easily and I'd rather not put her through that. Could you come to us?"
"Of course. Tomorrow morning? From what you've told me there's no reason to worry."
It was her calm, straight forward tone that allowed some of the tension in him to lessen, "If you're sure."
"Let her sleep. If anything serious crops up, call 911 and then call me. I'll see you in the morning, Mr. Queen."
Oliver didn't remember telling her goodbye or how the phone ended up back in his pocket. As he slipped it back in his breast pocket he pulled out the image of the ultrasound and stood staring at it until his eyes stung.
With a jerk he was striding for the door, determined to get the tea she wanted and be back upstairs before she was done in the shower.
The house was still quiet although more lights were on than had been when they'd arrived.
Raisa was coming towards him, tray in her hands as he stepped into the foyer, "Mister Oliver, I'm sorry I didn't get up sooner."
"It's fine. Felicity only wants some of your 'magic tea' as she calls it."
Her expression lightened as she nodded towards the small teapot, "Enough for two cups and something simple if she changes her mind about eating."
He gave her a grateful look as he slid the tray from her grasp, "Thank you. Have my mother and sister returned?" his eyes cut behind her but he didn't hear either of them.
Raisa's gaze lowered for a second before she stepped back, hands folding in front of her. "They have. Mrs. Queen is in her room."
Oliver's confused expression caused her to sigh. "Thea?" he asked.
Even Raisa's many years of careful professionalism couldn't stop the look of disapproval that crossed her face. "Miss Thea has gone to work. When Mrs. Queen went to her room she-"
Oliver shut his eyes, letting his head tip back as he sighed in frustration. He didn't need to hear anymore. Thea had expected and needed to be near their mother and she'd let her down. "I'll make sure to talk to Thea in the morning."
As he turned to leave she spoke, "I'm sure Mrs. Queen wouldn't mind if you stopped in to see her," she said in what he was sure he thought was a helpful suggestion.
He merely lifted the tray in answer. Felicity was his priority.
The small smile Raisa gave him let him know she thought it was the correct decision. "Of course, Mister Oliver. Let me know if you need anything else."
The shower was still going when he reentered the room. He sat the tray on the table next to the bed and headed for the closet, wincing as he stretched to slip off his jacket and then his dress shirt. A quick glance to his bandage showed that he'd bled through the gauze.
He slid into a pair of loose fitting sweats and stripped the white t-shirt off, allowing himself to wince in the privacy of the closet. He probably needed a few stitches but cleaning and rebandaging would have to do.
As soon as he stepped out he was struck by the silence that met him.
"Felicity," he called out, long strides eating up the distance to the bathroom, hand outstretched to push the door open, just stopping when he remembered she would most likely be naked on the other side.
"I'm done. Be out in a minute." she said quickly, voice a little too high and he almost pushed in without thought, instead he fell back against the wall, head making a low thud as he forced himself to just breathe.
A light touch on his arm made his eyes snap open, looking down to see her right next to him, dark blue towel wrapped around her, hair combed back in wet strands that were already starting to curl.
She had that lost, empty look again, the one he wanted to make sure never returned.
"How are you?" he asked quietly, reaching for her as she stepped towards him. Without her heels she felt smaller than usual when he tucked her against his chest. Water droplets dripped over his skin, making him shiver but he ignored it.
She didn't answer, instead she let her fingers trail up his arm, eyes fixated on his wound. "Let me fix this."
"No-"
"Please," her chin lifted and he could see how much she needed to do this.
He nodded once, but grasped the hand that lay on his arm, raising it until his lips could brush the reddened flesh around her wrist. He was going to fix what he could too even though it would never be enough.
She stepped back, moving past him as she headed towards the closet and he forced himself off the wall.
By the time she returned he'd placed the first aid materials on the counter and had his hands spread wide, gripping the edge, head bowed as he tried to force away the tension that was once again filling him.
Felicity slipping under his arm to stand in front of him made him open cloudy eyes to see her right there, pressed between him and the pale marble at her back. She was wearing one of his henleys, not a dress shirt, and somehow the way it threatened to slip off her shoulder was the sexiest thing he'd ever seen.
Without a word he moved his hands in to grasp her waist, barely having to make an effort to boost her up to sit on the counter. Her mouth dropped open in a breathless gasp as she clutched his forearms for a second. Then their eyes met and she purposely opened her legs, allowing him to move in as close as possible. When her thighs put the barest of pressure on his hips he let out a low growl, head falling forward to find the skin at the juncture of her neck and shoulder that had been tempting him.
She braced her hands behind her, arching into him, air hissing from between his teeth where they were scraping the pale column of her throat as his fully erect cock sought out her heat.
For a moment he lost himself, all he knew was her scent as it filled his senses, the feel of her skin beneath his palms as he worked his way beneath the shirt and the way she had already wrapped her legs around his ass and was drawing him even closer.
She clutched at his shoulders, nails biting into his skin as her head fell back until it met the mirror. His name tripped past her lips, breathless and full of want, but it wasn't until he registered the swell of her belly between them that he finally tore away from her.
Her face was flushed, lips plump, eyes dark and sparking as she stared up at him in surprise.
"We can't. I shouldn't have...the baby and what happened…" he tried to back up further but her legs were still locked around him. He threw his hands up, knowing he had to remove the temptation to touch her again, but his chest was still heaving and the thrum of heat going straight to his cock didn't want him to stop.
Felicity pushed half dried hair out of her face, sitting up straighter which meant her hot core pushed into him even harder and they both groaned. "Don't stop. I don't want you to stop. I'm okay. I wouldn't lie to you about this." she said slowly, voice lower than he'd ever heard it before. Her small hands met his, palm to palm, fingers threading together before she drew them down.
"Felicity-" it was mostly a growl, half question, half plea and he knew all it would take would be the slightest assurance that she really did want this as much as he did.
She placed his hands back on her waist before slowly crossing her arms over her front, never breaking eye contact, "Don't make us wait any longer."
Then she drew the shirt over her head, tossing it behind him, leaving her sitting in front of him in nothing but pale blue underwear.
Time shifted, or stilled, or something else he didn't quite understand. He lasted until she caught her bottom lip with her top teeth and then he lunged.
His tongue slid through her parted lips, tangling with hers, tasting fresh mint and a deeper taste that he'd learned was nothing but her. The feel of her bare breasts pressing into his chest made him groan and she was sinking into him, there was no other word for it. Every soft curve she had seemed to mold to his frame. When she sucked on his tongue he gathered her closer and lifted. Their first time wasn't going to be in the bathroom.
Her rumbling laugh as he moved into the bedroom wasn't what he had expected.
He stopped halfway across the room, pulling back to stare down at her, fingers alternating between gripping and kneading her ass. She held his face in her hands, smile only growing wider, "Since we've already made a baby it's not exactly our first time."
Oliver froze because not only did he apparently speak without realizing it, she was also right, it wasn't their first time.
The soft pads of her thumbs stroked over his cheeks as she leaned in to place a soft kiss on his lips, "It's okay though, it feels like it is." He could see how open she was just then, believing in him, trusting him, loving him.
"And I wouldn't mind if you hurried up a bit," a wicked twist of her hips followed her words and he was suddenly moving again as she latched her hot mouth to his jaw, working her way back to the spot behind his ear that apparently made him groan.
When he reached the bed he laid her down carefully, one knee planted on the mattress as she slid down slowly, legs falling apart automatically around his thigh. The sight of her before him was almost enough to make him come.
He wanted to take his time. He wanted to find the secret hidden spots that made her thrash in the sheets. He wanted to drive her to the brink and then back off only to drive her back again.
But when her quick nimble fingers shot forward to push the waistband of his pants down his plans went to hell.
The pants were gone, her breathy gasp all he could hear as he laid his body over his, careful to keep all his weight on his arms as he once again found her neck. She pushed up against him, hard peaked nipples brushing against his chest.
He sucked a spot on her collarbone before making his way to the other side, not expecting to be stopped by her hand fisting in his hair.
"If you don't touch me I might explode, or they might, I don't know," she sounded desperate and when he looked down she didn't stop moving, twisting one way and then the other, breasts arching towards him.
He brought a hand up to cup one and she keened so long and loud he went completely still, a shot of cold fear going through him until he saw the look of total pleasure on her face.
Tentatively he stroked a thumb over one turgid tip and she let out another cry, this one even higher pitched, panting.
"More, please, so good." she managed to say between breaths.
He took a firmer grip squeezing the full heavy flesh in his palm, making another slow stroke as he dropped his head and sucked the nipple into his mouth.
Her mouth dropped open in silent sound, hips jerking northward, trapping his ready cock between them. He couldn't help grinding into her pelvis and she pushed back as he continued to suck.
He only took his mouth off of her long enough to mutter a low curse. She was about to come undone and he'd barely touched her. If she reacted like that when he sucked her nipples he couldn't wait to find out what she did when he was between her thighs.
Felicity had one hand clenched in her own hair, the other gripped his shoulder. Both eyes were shut tight as her head went from one side to the other, small high sounds escaping her throat, but no more words.
He took one more draw, letting his teeth scrape over the tip before he pressed open mouthed kisses down her sternum until he reached her navel. The soft swell of the baby was less noticeable with her laying down but he could still make out where her skin was already being pulled taut.
He kissed a path across the top and down until he hit the last barrier between them. Fingers hooking on each side, he drew the thin fabric down her thighs, only sitting up long enough to drag it off her legs.
One broad palm ran up her leg from knee to hip, pushing her open to his inquisitive gaze as she continued to move under him, unable to keep still.
He couldn't help himself when he dragged one finger through her obvious wetness, she cried out again and it took everything he had not to just thrust into her at that very moment.
Her hands reached out, falling to his wrist, just brushing his abs and he jerked, hard breath blowing through his lips. She sat up halfway, eyes full of lust and need and when her hand trailed purposely over his abs again and then moved lower all he could do was let his head fall back with a groan as her small hand wrapped around his length.
She gripped him at the base, not too hard, but with enough pressure that he definitely knew she was there. A small knowing smile crept over her lips as she slowly began to stroke.
The heavy tingling in his balls began to grow and he knew it would only take another minute of her hand on him and he'd lose all control.
He captured her hand in his on the upstroke, "If you keep this up it's going to be over."
She sat up even further and squeezed, "Good. I need you now. Next time we can-"
He didn't give her a chance to finish, surging forward to cover her mouth with his as he sunk two fingers into her hot channel.
She was more than ready as she fell back, tiny whimpers spilling from her throat. Then it was his name, as she pleaded with him and in an instant he was right where he'd wanted to be.
The tip of his cock slid easily through her slick lips, and he couldn't bite back the groan that started deep within his chest as he pushed in, making himself go as slow as possible.
She'd gone still beneath him, and he thought the air must have frozen in her lungs like it had in his. When he blinked through the haze of lust that had overtaken him at the first feel of her he saw her eyes on his.
One nod is all he needed as he thrust forward in one fluid move. They both cried out and he wasn't sure where he ended and she began. Everything became a fog of nothing but pleasure and desire, more than he'd ever felt before.
When he dropped a hand between them to find her clit her voice was hoarse and the long, drawn out 'yes' he pulled from her made him continue. The rhythm he'd had began to falter as the pressure in the base of his spine grew.
Her small hand slapping his arm caught his attention, "Roll," she demanded and he abided.
As she settled above him they both groaned when she adjusted her hips, somehow sinking even further over him. Her hands braced on his pecs and when she began to roll her hips his vision threatened to give out.
Her breaths grew shorter, higher, and he kept himself as still as possible, jaw clenched tight until he felt her begin to flutter around him and the lowest, sexiest moan emerged from her mouth.
His hands dropped to her waist and he began to piston into her, her internal muscles milking his cock in a vise grip that had him tipping over the edge with a shout of his own as black spots danced in front of his eyes.
She collapsed forward, head pressing into his throat as he wrapped his arms around her, hands stroking up and down her back while they both tried to regain their breaths.
"Best second first time ever," she stated so matter of factly she could have been giving him numbers in a board meeting.
He laughed, warmth filling him as he held her closer, tenderly brushing wild hair from her face. With one more soft kiss to her temple he lifted her off of him and to the side, a surge of masculine pride going through him as she groaned in disappointment when he pulled out of her.
As quick as he could he was back with a towel, but she hadn't moved from the sated, limp state he'd left her in. She hummed her approval as he cleaned her up, jumping with a gasp when he couldn't resist one more taste of her nipple.
"God, they're so sensitive," she said half dreamily, hand coming up to cover her breast, "I thought I was going to come just from you touching them."
Somehow his cock twitched at that and he couldn't help the grin that lifted the corner of his mouth as he slid back into bed, "Is that a challenge?"
Her eyes sprang open, "Oh,"
"I'll keep that in mind for the future." he promised and she couldn't hide the shiver that went through her at the thought as he tugged her into his embrace.
She snuggled into his side, head finding the spot she liked on his shoulder when her chin lifted and she reached over to touch his left arm. "Your injury,"
Like being doused in cold water everything they'd been through that night came rushing back. "A few more hours won't hurt it. Do you need anything? Your wrists?" he was already starting to move from the bed, cursing himself for not taking care of her first.
"Oliver, stop. I'm fine. I have everything I need right here. I just want you."
With a sigh he moved back, wrapping an arm around her as she resumed her spot. But a finger poked into his gut made him pull back some and look down.
"Stop thinking so much." she ordered, "We just had mind blowing sex. Don't ruin it by being mister broody."
He started to protest and then stopped, "Mind blowing, huh?"
She poked him again and he grinned.
"I love you," she murmured against his skin, snaking an arm across his rib cage and holding tight.
His lips brushed her hair as he ran one hand down her side until he found the swell of her belly, protectively surrounded by both of them.
He whispered the words back, but her slow, even breaths let him know she was already asleep.
Sleep didn't come as easily for him. For hours he lay there wide awake holding his entire world because he'd almost lost it.