Page 56 of Bryson

Bryson pressed his cheek against her taut skin. In three months or less, he would get to see his baby, another human being that they had both created.

"Are you happy?" he asked, looking up at her.

"How can you ask me that?"

"You weren't..." He shook his head. "I shouldn't have brought that up."

She combed her fingers through his tangle of dark hair. "I was pissed at you and hurting. I want this baby, Bryson. There's no doubt that I cannot wait to see our son."

"That's all I need to hear." He rose and plucked her into his arms. Carrying her to the bed, he laid her down gently against the mounds of pillows. Stepping back, he removed his clothing, his eyes holding hers.

Heat shimmered through her as she stared at the ripple of muscles in his chest and arms.

"You're beautiful," she told him achingly when he got in next to her.

"That should be my line." His hands cupped her face, turning her to meet his lips as he trailed kisses along her jawline. "You're the most exquisite woman I've ever known."

"I'm fat."

"You're beautiful. You always will be the most beautiful woman in the world to me." He teased her lush bottom lip, enjoying the taste and texture of her. "The sexiest." His voice thickened. "The smartest." He eased the seams of her lips open so that he could gain access. "The love of my life. Kiss me, darling," he urgedhotly. And she did. Her tongue met his in a profoundly tender kiss that sent his blood pressure through the roof.

His hands wandered up and down her back before moving to the front to wrap possessively around her belly where his son was growing and being nurtured. It humbled him and made him hard at the same time. His desire for her was so powerful, he could barely stand it. Over the last couple of weeks, he had been so busy, he barely had time to have a conversation with her, much less make love to her. Tonight, he intended to make it up to her. To both of them. There was already a fire burning in his loins that was almost out of control.

Pushing her back, he trailed his lips down her neck and throat. Her breasts, with the puckered nipples, beckoned him. Bending his head and giving in to the urge to devour her, he rolled his tongue over the tight bud, suckling until she was writhing beneath him, her breath panting. Switching to the other nipple, he gave it the same thorough treatment.

Julianne felt as if she was being blown apart from the inside out. Sensations sent her spirit soaring. Her body lifted, fingers clutching his dense dark hair as he followed the path down to her stomach.

"Bryson." Her breath was caught inside her throat and it felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. The passion was so powerful, she could barely stand it. She wanted to feel him deepinside her. It was time. Clamping her hands on his shoulders, she forced him to change directions.

"I need you," she told him desperately. "Now. Please."

His eyes were blazing, his face taut with passion. He was hot and hard as steel. Turning her onto her side, he slid in behind her, his arms wrapped protectively around her belly.

"I don't want to hurt you." His breath was whistling between his teeth, his hands shaking. The time he had spent on her had eased his passage into her tight warmth, but he was not taking any chances.

"You won't. Please."

He needed no further bidding. Inching in slowly, he tested her flexibility and almost staggered with joy and relief when she not only accommodated him but sheathed him completely. He had to stop for a few seconds to get his bearings. She was tight and wet, the combination almost destroying his sanity.

Then he started to move. Slowly at first, thrusting into her warmth until he could not control his movements anymore. He increased the pace gradually, his breath coming rapidly between his lips. The hand covering her belly drifted down between herthighs. As soon as he touched her, the climax exploded, jerking her body backwards and forcing him to go deeper into her.

When she twisted her head around, he seized her lips and swallowed her moans. He came right after her. Tearing his mouth from hers, he gasped, calling out her name, his body shuddering as he poured himself into her as if he would never stop.

For several minutes, the only sounds in the room were the crackling of the wood in the fireplace and that of their labored breathing.

He held her trembling body against his and could do nothing about the shudders racking his. Brushing aside her hair, he kissed the back of her neck gently.

"I love you."

"Same here," she whispered, her hands covering his, where they were wrapped protectively around her belly. "This feels so good."

"Hmm." He was pleasuring himself with the scent of her skin. He was still intimately buried deep inside her and was planning on staying that way for another few minutes at least. There wasnowhere else he would rather be. His hands moved up to cup her breasts, feeling a jolt as the rounded mounds filled his palms.

She had admitted to him that her nipples were highly sensitive since the pregnancy. Rubbing his thumbs over them slowly sent shivers racing along her spine. She gave a start when he started hardening inside her again.

A hoarse chuckle escaped him at her reaction.

"Yes, darling, that's what you do to me. Tell me if it's too much."