"You look completely wrecked, Chef." There’s a wicked curve to her lips.
Her cheekiness is such a turn on.
Something in my chest, something I thought had died the day my birth parents relinquished me to foster care, lurches back to life.
My parents made sure I had therapy to deal with the loss. But she’s healing what therapy couldn’t reach. Being with her gives me a place to call home. Someone to call my own.
I’m going to marry this woman. Oh wait. I already did.
"Come here." I pull her up my body, until she's sprawled across my chest. I cup her face, so I can see her eyes. "That was… You were…"
I can't find the words. Can't articulate what it felt like to watch her fight for my pleasure. To see her refuse to give up even when it was hard. To know she did it, not because I demanded it, but because she wanted to prove she could.
Because she wanted to give me something no one else ever has: her trust. Her determination. Her stubborn, alluring refusal to let me keep her at arm's length.
So instead, I show her my appreciation with action by kissing her deep and slow.
When I finally pull back, her eyes are soft. Knowing.
"I’m going to fuck you again," I murmur against her lips.
Her breath catches. "James?—"
"That wasn’t a request." I roll her onto her front and maneuver her, so she’s on all fours facing the floor length mirror at the end of the bed.
"You brought me to my knees. Now I'm going to return the favor."
I enter her from behind in one sure stroke.
She cries out.
"And I’m going to use every tool in my arsenal. My hands, my mouth, my tongue."
I wait for a few seconds, letting her adjust to my size. Then I wrap my hand around her throat and bring her body flush with mine.
I kiss the side of her neck.
"I’m going to make you forget your own name."
I hold her gaze in the mirror.
"I'm going to show you what you do to me.”
I squeeze my fingers gently around her throat.
Only this time, we can both watch how my hand controls how much air she gets.
I hold her in place, squeeze her hip for leverage, then pull out and pound into her again.
We both watch as her entire body jolts.
She throws her head back against my shoulder and huffs.
“Watch.” I pinch her chin, so she has to face our entwined reflections in the mirror. “Watch what you do to me. Watch how you make me unravel, Ember.”
69
Harper
