They both climbed into the bed, and once there, Jasper pulled her into the middle. How many times had he done this in the carriage? Offered his body up for her warmth, comfort, and protection?
She burrowed into the pillow beside him and felt herself relax for the first time since they’d arrived in Gretna Green. But as she relaxed, she became more and more aware of his legs against hers—of his heartbeat near her ear. Her fingers trailed over his chest and around his neck.
And then she pressed her breasts against him, pleased to feel his shaft harden against her belly. “Can we cuddle later?” she asked. “Afterward?”
A Lifetime to Redeem Himself
Nia’s question sent a wave of relief through Jasper. Because, God help him, they echoed the need raging inside him, and the prospect of holding her this close all night long had suddenly stretched into a bittersweet torture.
It would have tested him, and he would have passed that test, but it would have taken a toll.
“After?” He pressed his mouth to her forehead. “You mean…?”
“Make love to me, Jasper.” And then she squirmed against him. “You want to, don’t you?”
Jasper smoothed his hand along her side, settling on the curve of her hip. “More than anything,” he growled.
And suddenly the prospect of spending the entire night in the comfort of a bed with a woman who would become his wife had him feeling as though he’d been crowned king of the world.
Perhaps he could redeem himself.
Following his clumsy efforts of the previous night, he’d vowed that the next time he’d show restraint. So rather than roll her over and settle himself between her legs as his cock demanded, he slid shaking hands around her back and then settled them on her soft round bottom.
But there was nothing slow about the urges igniting between the two of them. He latched his mouth onto her neck, sucking and tasting while she arched to bring the two of them closer together.
Little sounds left her mouth. Whispers and gasps even as her hands glided over his shoulders and arms. She writhed beside him, winding one leg around his waist.
And already he realized this wasn’t going to be slow. Slow would come later. After.
He had a lifetime to go slowly.
Drawing back just enough to remove his nightshirt, he watched as she fumbled with her gown.
The revelation of her unleashed desire fueled his into something he hardly recognized.
“Nia.” She was in his arms again. Jasper rolled onto his back, bringing her with him. Skin against skin, he strained between her legs. “Ride me,” he said, but she needed no direction.
She braced her knees along his hips and hovered over him while Jasper supported her with his hands on her waist. “Beautiful.”
His gaze jumped from her hair to her breasts, to her mouth, to the indent of her waist. He was a starving man at a royal banquet. The light from the fire danced over her complexion, emphasizing shadows from her lashes and reflecting on her rosy lips, plump and wet from his kisses. She moved to sink onto him, and as Jasper slid inside her, that same urgency of the night before threatened to rob him of all self-control.
And God’s teeth, he barely managed to harness enough to prevent himself from going at her like a wild animal. He reminded himself that he wasn’t a youth of seven and ten. He was a man of the town—practically a renowned lover!
“Slow, love,” he said through clenched teeth, tightening his grip on her waist.
“Feels so good… want you,” she chanted, hovering over him, her entrance wet and warm as it teased the tip of his cock. Jasper allowed some of her weight to lower onto him, stopping when breath hissed between her teeth.
He waited.
“More.” She pushed down, and Jasper hesitated for less than a second before ceding control to her.
He let go, and it was he who gasped. With her hands propped on his shoulders, her head dropped and her braid fell forward, caressing his face and neck.
“Is this right?” she asked, moving her hips and grinding against him.
“Perfect.” Jasper groaned, and she made a swiveling motion. “Just like that, oh, God. Nia.” Jasper strained up from the bed, sucking one rosy bud into his mouth, rocking beneath her to increase the friction, touching her everywhere.
He’d bury himself in this woman even as he allowed her to claim him for herself.
