She paused then decided to be honest. “I’m trying to decipher how you mean your words regarding my inability to reproduce.”
Emerson hesitated, as if sensing his answer held weight.
Collette watched him, waiting.
Because his words indeed did hold weight.
And it wasn’t just that of an opinion.
It was the weight of a heart that was more than falling in love.
For better or worse.
Chapter Twelve
Emerson wanted to freeze the moment, holding Jaxsen — Collette. It was the most perfect moment he’d ever experienced. And for the first time since meeting her, he saw a vulnerability that spoke far more than words ever could.
His comment would affect her. For better or worse. He couldn’t imagine how it would be to find out that the main contribution that Society has taught a woman could make was the one thing she couldn’t do.
It was bitterly unfair, and it made his anger simmer under the surface, but he held it in check, lest it show and she misinterpret it.
“Jaxsen — Collette — you are far more than your ability to reproduce. I won’t say it isn’t a rotten shame, because the world needs more fierce women like you, but it doesn’t make you somehow incomplete.” And he sealed his words with a kiss to her icy lips. As if realizing the bath had cooled considerably with the time they had spent with their more engaging actions, he rubbed his hands up her shoulders to warm her.
She melted a fraction, and her lips moved against his, then with a fierceness he hadn’t expected, she pushed against him, deepening the kiss and arching into his body in a way that left little need for interpretation for her intentions.
But he did note the cooling water, and so with a gentle disengagement, he cupped her face and leaned his head against hers. “Let’s get dried off first. You’re going to catch a chill, and that won’t be any fun.” He winked at her and then rose from the bath, stepping over the wooden edge. He lifted a towel from the nearby chair and held it open for her.
Jaxsen watched him with her preceptive eyes, her gaze raking over him like a hot caress, making his cock twitch with appreciation and a healthy dose of anticipation.
“Impatient?” She glanced to his manhood and arched a brow.
“For you? Always.”
She giggled then rose from the lukewarm water and turned so that he could wrap the towel around her.
He enveloped her within the fabric and patted down her form, his hands taking in her curves, mapping them with lovingly precision.
“You’re dripping on the floor,” she replied when he kissed her shoulder.
“Worth it.”
Her laugh was enough of an answer, and he kissed the other shoulder.
She turned in his arms and wrapped the towel around the two of them, rising on her tiptoes, she met his lips.
Good Lord, he could spend the rest of his life with her, like this.
Confirming the suspicions of his heart’s true feelings.
He was falling in love.
With England’s greatest spy.
He grinned against her delicious kiss and reached an arm down; he swept her feet from beneath her, cradled her in his arms, and promptly took them to his bed. Laying her down gently, he wasted no time in covering her still chilly body with his warm one. His body ached for release once more, but he savored the moment, meeting her warm gaze, her hand reaching up and filtering through his hair. She giggled softly, pulling him by the back of the neck to meet her kiss.
Emerson slid into her then, swallowing a groan at the blinding pleasure of being within her once more. Sheathing himself fully, he nearly saw stars as she bit down on his lip. He moved, sliding their bodies apart and back together again, the delightful rhythm as old as time. Her lips were delicious and soft, plump with his assault. Her gentle gasps against his lips told him she was reaching her own climax, and he traced a hand up her hip, along her waist and cupped her soft breast, smiling against her lips when she panted with pleasure. He rubbed softly against her perky tip, pinching tenderly, and was rewarded with a buck of her hips. A moment later she cried out, her legs wrapped tightly around the backs of his, pulling him deeper, closer, as she lost herself.
He held onto his own control till she released her strong grip and then, with one final surge forward, he didn’t pull out but spilled himself entirely. His body shuddered, practically vibrating with the force of his climax as he continued to ride the wave of pleasure that coursed through him, nearly eclipsing everything else in the world.
