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‘I love you, too,’ he answered. She was overwhelmed by the thought of having him inside her while he voiced the words she’d longed to hear for so long.

The kiss grew more desperate, and his hands slid down to her thighs. ‘Open for me.’

‘Not until you’re naked,’ she insisted. She needed to feel his entire body against hers, to join with him and claim him as her own.

He let go of the flowers and unfastened his trousers slowly. She watched as he removed the last layers of clothing between them, revealing his erect manhood. She parted her legs in silent invitation, wanting him so badly. His body was a little leaner than she remembered, but still muscular. Still hers.

He drew her hips to the edge of the bed and then knelt. The thought of what he was about to do made her tremble, and his hot breath drifted between her thighs. He lifted her knees over his shoulders and moved her hands to her own breasts. ‘Touch yourself, Charlotte. I’m going to drive everything out of your mind until you know nothing but pleasure.’

And with that, he began to worship her intimately. His tongue slid over her centre, and a fierce rush of need flooded through her. He found her raised bud and used his mouth upon her, suckling gently until her entire body came alive.

‘I’ve missed the taste of you,’ he said against her delicate flesh. ‘I could do this all night.’

Her fists dug into the sheets, and she arched against him, trembling as the delicious pressure built inside. She caressed her own nipples, and a spiral of wicked bliss took her, building in intensity until he ravaged her and forced her over the edge of control.

Her body erupted, shaking as the release seized her and a thousand shimmering sensations overtook her.

‘Please,’ she begged. ‘I need you inside me, Alaric.’

He lowered her hips, kissing a path back to her stomach, lining up the blunt head of him at her wet core. Her breathing was coming in short gasps, and the sensation of his shaft filling her nearly made her shatter again. He was long and hard, and when he finally slid his body deep inside, she could see his strained expression, as if he were barely in control.

She began to arch against him, encouraging him to move. He grasped her hips and began to thrust slowly, pulling out before sinking in deep. The rhythm was gentle, as if he were savouring each motion.

But it was a torment as well. She reached up to touch his face, forcing him to look at her. ‘I don’t want you to be gentle with me. Not after we’ve been apart for so long.’

‘I…don’t want to hurt you.’ His voice was tight, barely controlled.

‘Alaric, if you don’t start moving faster, I’m going to roll you onto your back and take you the way I want to,’ she threatened.

His mouth curved in a knowing smile. ‘Later.’

But he began to thrust again, slowly at first, and then when she found the rhythm, she arched slightly, finding a sweet spot of delicious pleasure when he filled her. Over and over, he penetrated her, and she gloried in the possession.

‘You’re mine, Alaric. As I am yours.’

The words seemed to wash over him, and he intensified his pace, moving inside her so deeply, she was lost in a storm of need.

She loved this man so much. And as he pressed her closer and closer to another fulfilment, she squeezed him in her depths, moving her legs around his waist to guide him home.

‘I love you,’ he muttered again, giving in at last to his own needs.

He quickened his pace, making love to her until she came apart again, her wetness surging around his thick shaft, and he followed a moment later, shuddering as his release flooded through her. He thrust a few more times, his body shaking until he finally collapsed on top of her.

His face rested against her breast, and she cradled him upon her, enjoying the weight of him.

‘I’m sorry. I’m crushing you,’ he apologised.

‘Only the flowers,’ she answered. Their bed was covered in petals and broken stems, and she didn’t care. When he started to withdraw, she murmured, ‘No, stay inside me.’ She eased back on the bed, and he was careful to remain inside her as he joined her, pulling her carefully onto her side. She kept her leg over his hip, resting her hand upon his racing heart.

‘Our baby will be so loved,’ she whispered. ‘I know it.’

He kissed her gently and admitted, ‘It was the luckiest day of my life when you chose my garden for your own. And me as your husband.’

She touched his cheek. ‘Mine, too.’

One week later

They didn’t leave London until they were certain that Thornton was all right and had returned to Wintermere. Alaric was glad that his brother had come to him for help, despite the danger of threats that never should have happened. But now they could look towards the future.