“Rachel…”
“No more talking,” she whispered against his lips. “Please.”
And then, she kissed him again.
This time, he didn’t hesitate. A low sound rumbled from his throat as he pulled her flush against his body, his hands splaying over her back, as though desperate to hold on.
Rachel gasped into his mouth as he took control, the kiss turning fierce and all-consuming. It was a kiss of surrender, of a man finally letting himself have what he wanted, even if only for a fleeting moment.
His hands roamed, fingers pressing into the curve of her waist, then sliding up to cradle the back of her neck. It made her moanin pleasure, and Simon pulled back at the sound, his breathing uneven.
“Whatdo you want?”His eyes were dark, searching hers, his thumb brushing over her lower lip as though debating whether to cross a line he couldn’t come back from.
“I—I…” Rachel found herself unable to formulate full sentences. Rachel knew she had already made her choice. She reached for him again, pulling him back down to her. “I want you.”
Simon groaned, his restraint snapping as he lifted her in one swift motion. Rachel let out a startled breath, arms looping around his neck as he carried her effortlessly, his lips never leaving hers.
“Your chambers,” he growled in her ear, and she felt as though she was going to burst from the anticipation.
He walked them back, and Rachel could feel his heart pounding against her own as they crossed the threshold into her room. The door clicked shut behind them. And then, there was no more distance left to keep.
Rachel barely had time to catch her breath before she felt the solid press of Simon’s body against hers. He set her down at the edge of the bed, his grip firm as his fingers traced the line of her jaw, then down the length of her throat.
“I want to take my time with you,” he murmured.
“But I do not want to wait for too long,” Rachel protested, but she moved her neck so that he had better access to it.
“Patience, sweetheart,” he murmured against her skin. “You do not get to tell me what to do.”
He was taking his time with her, in no rush at all.
“Should we get you out of these clothes first?” he asked. Rachel found herself growing self-conscious.
“I…”
“I want to see,” he said, moving his hands to slowly remove her dress. He tugged the fabric from her shoulders, exposing the skin beneath.
Rachel was pleased to hear the way that he gasped when he first saw her.
“I feel shy,” she told him.
“There is no need for you to be shy around me,” he said. “I am your husband. I am allowed to see you naked.”
His words felt so crass, but she did not mind them.
“You are beautiful.” He trailed little kisses over her exposed chest.
“Simon…”
His hands dipped even lower.
“Say my name again. In that little voice of yours.”
She could not respond at first as his fingers teased down her thigh. It was enough to drive her mad.
“Please,” she murmured, “Simon, please. I need you.”
She did not knowwhatit was that she needed exactly, just that she wanted him. He was as close to her as possible. Simon smirked against her skin.
