“Hmm, shall this be a leisurely walk or a wild gallop?”
He contemplated her from under half lidded eyes. “Whatever you want, my love. As long as you take us to the destination.”
She started slowly, wickedly trying to prolong this mating as long as she could. But after her protracted teasing, his body was poised on the brink of explosion, and soon, her own desire took charge, quickening her pace, bringing her hands up to caress her breasts. She was reaching for the ecstasy that lay just beyond her grasp…
“Touch your pearl.” His voice was gravelly, strangled with desire.
It was a command she was happy to obey. Reaching down between her thighs, she stroked her clitoris. The already sensitized flesh flared to life, producing shock waves of ecstasy that radiated from the point where their bodies joined outward, through every limb and extremity. And inward, making her internal muscles clamp and squeeze the hard rod inside her.
He made a choking sound. “Josie, I’m about to come. If you don’t want me to spill inside you, pull out now.”
She bent down, laying her entire torso on his, to whisper in his ear, “I want it.”
It was all he needed to let go. With a roar, his climax overtook him. She watched him, savoring every moment of his ecstasy. God, but he was gorgeous in the throes of passion. His intense green gaze held her mesmerized as shudders wracked his body. His member pulsed inside her, sending liquid warmth deep into her womb. And for the first time in years, she hoped.
And prayed for a miracle.
CHAPTER 32
Intheaftermathofpassion, she curled around him, hugging him to her, keeping him inside her, under her. She never wanted to let go.
“I so wish I could hold you right now,” he rasped, his mouth brushing the whorl of her ear.
Her face reddened at the reminder he was still tied and surely uncomfortable. “Oh. I’m sorry.”
She grabbed the forgotten dagger, intending to use it to slice right through his bonds.
“Where did you get that dagger from?”
“From my home’s armory. I couldn’t sleep in peace under my brother’s roof. I startled at every creak, jumped at every shadow, thinking I was going to be taken back. Having a weapon nearby comforted me.”
His lips tightened and his face took such a menacing look, that if it was directed at her, she would quake in her shoes.
“If your brother were still alive, I would kill him for what he did to you.”
“But he’s not. So it’s better to forget it.”
The sharp blade made short work of the ties that bound him. His wrists were reddened and indented by the bonds. She knew from experience that after being tied in that position for so long, his arms must be cramping. But he didn’t stop to rub them. His arms came around her immediately. Enveloping her in warmth, protection, and a sense of belonging so profound that, in contrast, when they were apart, it was as if a piece of her soul was missing.
“I feel safe here.” The confession slipped from her soul.
“As well you should,” he whispered in her ear. “I will always protect you, my love.”
My love. He had called her that several times already, but not until now did she realize that he meant it. This was love.
Only he ever made her feel this cherished, this safe. He didn’t even have to say the words. When he embraced her, she felt that love permeating every fiber of her being. But he gave her the words as well.
“I love you so much, Josephine. God, I’ve missed you. I’ve needed you in my arms with every breath I’ve drawn for the past twelve years.”
There was no point in denying it or withholding the words. She must be as honest as him.
“I love you too. I’ve loved you since the moment I met you. I think even before that. You are the love I always craved. Sometimes I fancy you were the answer to my prayers.” She buried her face in his neck, gave a small, embarrassed chuckle. “That is ridiculous, I know.” But she didn’t care. It was the truth in her soul.
“No, it isn’t. I understand exactly what you mean. Before you, I never had any desire to marry. After you, the idea wasunthinkable. It’s as if my heart recognized yours as its perfect mate.”
They were wandering into treacherous territory. She didn’t want to talk about marriage or the future they couldn’t have. Tonight was a gift. A treasure she had found among the ruins of her life. She wanted to preserve the beauty of this moment. Untarnished by reality. So to distract him, she kissed his neck, bit the slope of his shoulder, then painted soft kisses over his chest. It worked. His member stiffened again inside her.
“Careful, or you might get more than you bargained for,” he rasped.
