Page 44 of Bryson

"In that case." She laughed when he flipped her onto her back and covered her body with his. He cupped her face, fingers caressing her cheeks gently. He was swollen and aching for her, but he wanted to create memories of his wedding night that they would remember until they were old and gray. He wanted a hundred years with her and even that would not be enough. He had wasted months being angry and disillusioned when she left him. He had gone after her, yes, but had turned away in acute jealousy when he saw her with another man.

"I adore you," he told her now. "I always will. I promise that I will be there for everything good and bad. The vows we exchanged mean a hell of a lot to me."

"I know." She pushed back the tangle of hair from his forehead. "Bind us together physically, darling."

His eyes darkened at that. He had planned the whole seduction deal, but this first time was going to be fast and without finesse. He was quite certain his wife would not mind in the least. He planned on making it up to her later on. They had all night and the next day. With that in mind, he bent his head and captured her delicious mouth, tormenting himself as he sipped from her.

Reaching between them, he entered her smoothly, gliding in slowly, bearing in mind that she had recently been through an ordeal. When she sheathed him, all thoughts of care and nerves vanished. She was already wet, her tightness enveloping him like a tight fist. His body shuddered once, twice as he drove into her, the thrusts increasing. The climax came shortly, slamming through their bodies with the power of a sledgehammer, leaving them breathless and shaken.

Chapter 13

"We should stop." Even while he was saying it, his mouth was busy trailing the length of her spine. He had looked up in surprise a few minutes ago to see the blush pink pearling the sky, indicating that it was dawn. They had been at it since last night and he could not seem to get enough of her.

"Why?" she asked with a moan as he nibbled on her stomach. The man had the most creative mouth.

"Because we need sleep and because-" He became fascinated with the tiny mole next to her belly button.

"Because?"

"Hmm?" He had lost his train of thought, just like always.

"You were saying?"

Now he was using the tip of his tongue to torture the mole.

"I don't recall. You're beautiful. Your skin is like velvet."

"I thought it was like satin."

"I've changed my mind. Velvet is smoother. I saw the way my men were staring at you last night. I should fire the lot of them."

She laughed huskily, reveling in his possessiveness.

"Then you'd only have to hire new ones."

"Old ones. Decrepit." He was nibbling his way down to the curls covering her sex. "Although I know that Jack is sweet on you. He talks about you all the bloody time."

She gasped when he pressed his lips to the curls.

"Jack is sweet, period. Darling-" She gripped his thick dark hair, her body bowed. He took his time there, savoring the musky scent emanating from her.

After bringing her to a very satisfying and glorious climax, he decided that enough was enough. He was going to end up killing them both. Cradling her against his chest, he waited for the storm to abate somewhat, before bringing up a topic he had been thinking about of late. It wasn't going to be pleasant, but it had to be said.

With his fingers drifting up and down her back, he contemplated the best way to broach the topic and decided to go for the direct approach.

"You said some things when you were leaving that time. I don't know if you recall the argument we had."

Shifting, she braced her elbows on his chest so she could look at him. "Why-"

"We need to get it out in the open. The wounds are still there, and I don't want it coming between us." His eyes bore into hers. "You said you didn't belong here. You mentioned the fact that you liked bright lights and five-star restaurants. You also said this place was too countrified for you."

Julianne grimaced and had the grace to look sheepish. "I said those things because I was pissed off at you. I wanted to hurt you."

"You did," he told her solemnly. "I was prepared to suggest that we live someplace else. I knew it wouldn't have worked out if I did that, but I was desperate and wanted you to stay." His hand lifted to cup her cheek. "I want you to want to stay. Not just because you're carrying my child. You know what my greatest fear has been these past few weeks?"

"What?" she asked achingly.

"That we would lose our baby. That you would miscarry and use that to escape. I was crippled by it. I would be out on the grounds and half expecting to receive a phone call that you were on your way to the airport. That's why I rushed you into marriage."