She shifted positions, and the rocking and grinding and pumping continued, increasing in pressure with a need so frantic it drove them both. Her hands threaded through his hair and then tugged. He slapped her bottom. All inhibitions fled as they joined like primitive mates. Taking, filling, stoking the need neither had seen coming.
It could have lasted a lifetime, or the blink of an eye. It was unlike any sex he’d experienced. Being with Nia was unscripted and uncontrolled. He thrust deeper, and she stiffened and cried out, her intimate muscles clutching around him even as he found his own completion.
Violent waves rolled through him as he released his seed, over and over until he had nothing left. And when she collapsed atop him, he savored the weight covering him.
It was as though a furious storm had passed, leaving the two of them gasping and grateful for life.
Grateful for one another.
This time Jasper didn’t climb out of bed so he could clean himself and her. Instead, he rolled both of them sideways and gathered her into his arms. Something about this woman—she’d crashed into his life, and he’d enthusiastically allowed her to turn it over after one look into her pleading eyes.
Best decision he’d ever made.
A smile spread through him, and he drifted into a deeply satisfied sleep.
And in the very early hours of the morning, awakened by sweet kisses peppering his jaw and chin, Jasper finally made love to her slowly, taking his time to taste and explore her the way he’d imagined.
And then more cuddling.
And just before the sun peeked over the horizon, they made love a third time.
The Wedding Day?
Nia didn’t have to open her eyes to know she was tucked into Jasper’s side, his shoulder as her pillow and his body providing warmth.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.” His voice was gravelly from sleep, and she tilted her head back and opened her eyes.
“Good morning,” she said. In this proximity, she could count his whiskers if she wanted to, and she noticed little creases around his eyes. Physically, he was the opposite of her, and yet she felt like she’d become a part of him.
“How is it possible that you look more beautiful with each day that passes?”
She shook her head. Foolish man! “I’m a mess.”
“Perhaps, but you’re my mess, and you’re all the more beautiful for it.” He leaned down and stole a tender and lingering kiss. But before it gained any momentum, he broke it. “As much as I hate the notion of getting out of this bed right now, I need to make arrangements with the blacksmith.” And then he sighed.
Arrangements for their marriage. It was going to happen. He slid out of the covers, and as she watched him step into his trousers, a chill ghosted down Nia’s spine. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be his wife; the night before more than proved that.
It was that she didn’t like the fact that she’d coerced him into marrying her.
“You’re certain you want to go through with it?”
He looked up from his boots. “We’re rather beyond that, aren’t we?” He winked, his eyes twinkling.
Because he was charming. Because he would reassure her. And he was exasperatingly honorable.
And yet, it was just as she’d thought. They had trapped one another into this marriage. The events that had taken place in this bed and the plans they’d made for the near future were merely a practical result of both of them making the most of what would otherwise be an awkward situation.
Weren’t they?
As she watched him dress, she appreciated the sinewy strength in his arms, his broad shoulders, and his tapered waist. Nothing about last night had felt practical. In fact, making love with Jasper felt more like…
Breathing. It felt like living.
She would embrace this unlikely gift even while wondering what she’d done to deserve so much pleasure.
But it was more than just pleasure for her. She felt a closeness she’d not believed could exist between two people.
She wanted to ask if he felt the same, but he had that purposeful expression on his face this morning. He seemed anxious to go through with their decision—to fulfill his obligation to her.
