"I missed you so damned much." The raw need in his voice matched the yearning in her soul. "I've dreamed of this moment.” His words were low and raw with emotion. "Every fucking night for three years, you were with me in my sleep. Then I’d wake to the nightmare that you were gone.”
She stood, swallowing past the lump in her throat. “I’m so sorry you thought I was dead. I’d give anything never to have left you.”
“Aye, but ye didn’t leave me. Ye were taken from me. And I swear to ye I will destroy Alejandro for doing it. I don’t care how fucking long it takes.”
She took a step toward him. “None of that matters right now. Not in this moment between us. All that matters is … how much I want you. No, how much I need you. Right now. Lachlan … please.”
He met her eyes with an intensity that made everything else disappear. Closing the distance between them, she lifted her head to his. His mouth found the sensitive spot at the curve ofher neck, delighting her with feather-light kisses. But it wasn’t nearly enough. She wanted all of him. Now.
Britt jerked his face to hers. “I’m not fragile. You won’t break me.”
Lachlan licked his lips, his eyes darkening with desire. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He growled—actually growled—and was on her in seconds. His hands were everywhere, relearning the terrain of her body like a man starved. She gasped, arching against him.
"Too many clothes," she breathed, jerking her shirt over her head and tossing it to the floor. She fumbled with his shirt buttons, frustrated by the barrier between them.
He pulled back, ripping his shirt open. Buttons scattered across the floor.
Britt looked up at his hooded eyes.
Lachlan claimed her mouth again, his kiss desperate and fierce.
"I want you so bad," he murmured, his kisses making a trail down her chin to her neck, along her collarbone, and down to the valley between her breasts. His hands moved to the clasp of her bra, unhooking it with practiced ease. As it fell away, his eyes darkened further.
"Still perfect," he whispered, cupping her breasts.
His thumbs brushed over her nipples, and she gasped, the sensation shooting straight to her core. She clutched at his shoulders, nails digging into his skin as he lowered his mouth to one peaked nipple. The wet heat of his tongue sent shockwaves through her body. The world narrowed to just them. His teeth grazed her sensitive skin, and she bit back a moan. His mouth tantalized one breast while his hand kneaded the other. Britt panted from the intense pleasure, her breaths growing ragged and raw.
"Lachlan," she gasped, her voice barely recognizable.
Lachlan's eyes locked with hers as he shifted lower, trailing open-mouthed kisses down her stomach. He tugged playfully on the band of her panties with his teeth.
"I need these gone.” His hands slid lower, resting on her hips. She trembled with anticipation as he hooked his fingers in the delicate fabric, dragging it slowly down her legs.
The predatory look in his eyes as he took in her naked body made her feel both vulnerable and powerful. She was exposed in the most delicious way. Lachlan's gaze traveled over her body with reverence, lingering on the places where subtle changes had occurred during their separation. The small scars crisscrossing her body from the surgeries. The more defined muscles of her abdomen.
"So beautiful," he whispered, almost to himself.
"Not fair that I'm the only one naked." She reached between them, fumbling with his belt buckle. He shifted, helping her, then kicked off his pants and boxers in one fluid motion. Britt's breath caught. His body was still magnificent—powerful shoulders, taut abdomen, strong thighs. And the evidence of how much he wanted her stood proud between them.
His cock was massive, long, thick, and veiny. Britt reached for him, fingers grazing his length. Lachlan hissed, eyes closing briefly at her touch.
"I want to remember every inch of you," she whispered, wrapping her hand around him. His skin was velvet over steel, pulsing with heat. She stroked him slowly, watching his face contort with pleasure.
"If you keep that up, this'll be over before it starts." He smiled—that rare, genuine smile—and it triggered an avalanche of memories. He stood naked in front of her, staring down at her with unabashed love and tenderness in his eyes, just like this, but in a different place—more places. The flashes popped into her mind like snapshots.
"I remember this," she whispered, voice breaking. “Us. Together. Like this.”
Chapter 36
"Tell me what else you remember.” He captured her wrist, stopping her motion on his cock. He moved her hand away gently. His lips danced to her wrist and forearm, kissing away the months of their separation, the fear of losing him again.
"That spot behind your ear that makes you crazy when I do this." Her breathing hitched as her fingers lingered on the spot. She leaned forward, her face sliding against his. She pressed her lips where her fingers had been, swirling her tongue in circles against his warm skin. His guttural moan rumbled through her and left her shivering with need. He shifted, his hand cupping the back of her head, guiding her closer.
“And what else?” His voice was raspy against her ear, dripping with desire.
“You holding me, tracing words on my skin. Words like mine, and forever.” Her lips brushed the shell of his ear as she spoke, relishing the tremor that passed through him at each word.
“Aye, ye do remember.” He pulled back to look at her, eyes blazing with heat. “What else?”
