Then—
She spat at me.
A small, wet drop landed on my cheek, sliding down like acid against my skin.
I wiped it away with my forearm, my expression unwavering.
“I deserve this,” I murmured. “And more, my love.”
Her breathing hitched, but her eyes remained full of fire.
I cupped her face gently, my thumb brushing her tear-streaked cheek.
“I’ve made too many mistakes to count. But I want to prove to you that I’m a good man. I want to show you that I’m not a coward, not a cheat.”
I let the words settle, then?—
“Let’s start fresh.” I leaned in, my breath warm against her skin. “Let me worship you. I want to make passionate love to you, my beautiful wife.”
I nuzzled the tip of my nose against hers, my voice dipping into something dark and full of need.
“You can ride me all night long,” I whispered, “and scream my name.”
Her breath caught, her lashes fluttering—but just as quickly, her face crumpled with anguish.
“What?” Her voice was low, almost broken. “Now that Dahlia is dead, you suddenly need a woman?”
The merciless words cut through me.
A dull ache twisted in my chest because I deserved them.
But that didn’t mean it didn’t wreck me to see so much pain on her beautiful, furious face.
I inhaled deeply, steadying myself.
“Emily,” I murmured, “I can prove it to you.”
She shook her head, but I kept going, letting the heat creep into my voice, into my body pressed against hers.
“And once you believe me,” I continued, “I will show you how much you mean to me?—”
I thrust my hips against her, dragging a low, husky groan from my lips.
“—with every muscle in my body.”
Her cheeks flushed, her lips parting, her gaze darting away.
But she wasn’t yelling anymore.
Good.
I lowered my head, pressing my mouth to the curve of her shoulder, and dragged my tongue up her neck?—
From shoulder to jaw.
She shuddered.
God, I missed this.
