Crashed by Dawn Robertson Page A

shifted back up his sweating body, only stopping once she was wrapped in his strong arms.
    “My God. You are amazing, Emily,” he spoke with such devotion, never breaking their gaze while working his fingers through her hair and down her flushed cheek. He nudged her closer so he could take her mouth once more before rolling back on top of her.
    Their lips slowly parted as they looked into each other’s eyes, wondering who was going to break the silence. Both exhibited extreme self-control, just lying naked in the other’s arms. Before either could make another move, Avery spoke, “I want to. God, I do. But we can’t.” She saw a look of frustration flash through his eyes. She was so drunk in the moment, she couldn’t realize what was happening exactly.
    “Why, Avery?” she asked, before leaning in for another hungry kiss.
    “It’s too soon. Shit. I want you so bad. But I don’t want anything to get awkward between us.”
    His honesty shocked her. Emily’s mind removed herself from the situation and firmly planted itself into her deep thoughts. As much as she wanted to feel him inside of her, deep and rough, he was right to stop where they were. She didn’t want anything to change between them. Everything was just too perfect. In every way possible, Avery was absolutely perfect for her. Even though she wanted to take him, over and over again all night, settling for sleeping in his arms was just as good. “You are way too perfect, Avery. Are you real?” she questioned as he ran his knuckles down her cheek and kissed a trail down to her neck. With small nibbles and licks, he slowly sucked, leaving her with a small mark, branding her as his for all to see.
    “I’m going to get another nightgown and hit the bathroom, then come back to bed. Boxers...dear Lord Jesus...put on some boxers before I come back.” Emily entered her bathroom, closing the door behind her and sliding down to sit on the floor with her back resting against the door. Could he be any more fucking perfect?
    Avery found his boxers at the end of the bed, slowly sliding them back on, making his way under the covers once again. He lay, watching television and waiting for her to exit the bathroom. Would she ask him to leave when she was done? Did she still want him to spend the night with her, even after they crossed that invisible line in the sand?
    Emily walked out of the bathroom with a brand new nightgown on, her hair hanging wildly around her chin, and the brightest smile on her face he’d ever seen. She was absolutely glowing, and he knew the answer to his questions before she even crawled back into bed with him. He would be spending the night with this amazing woman, exactly what he wanted to do from the moment he met her.
    Sleep came quickly to the exhausted couple as they drifted off to the sounds of The Princess Bride . Since her car accident, Emily had found a good night’s sleep to be few and far between. Some nights she tossed and turned, while other nights she would awaken to dreams of her crushed car and the loss of her parents. The incidents had no connection, but her wild imagination always pieced it together. But snuggled against the warm, welcoming chest of Avery, she had the most peaceful night of slumber. Her eyes only peered open when the sunlight of the new day’s sunrise started to play peek-a-boo with her plush bedroom curtains.
    She slowly stirred, quickly remembering his presence when his arm slid around her and pulled her closer before whispering, “good morning,” into her ear. He nuzzled his lips against her neck, placing several chaste kisses from her collarbone to her cheek. Emily rolled over, eyeing her visitor and the clock on her nightstand behind his head. Before she could say a word, she pulled the thin cream colored bed sheet up to her mouth while letting out a laugh. “I think I’m going to go brush my teeth before I do anything else.”
    He followed suit, pulling the sheet up to his own mouth with a