“Damnation,” he gasped, but instead of removing her hand, he pressed it hard against the muscular ridge of his arousal, their gazes locking.
“I can’t wait.” Alex said.
“Nor can I.”
A moment later Alex was kicking off her jeans and thong, Xavier was shoving down his trousers. He came down on her, impaling her. Alex cried out.
She held him hard, and for one moment, he remained unmoving, buried deep within her, throbbing. Alex stared into his eyes. There was a union taking place, all right, and it was far more than physical. “I can feel your soul,” she whispered.
He smiled at her, as if he understood, and then he began to move with determination. “Hold tight,” he ordered.
Alex obeyed. Closing her eyes, she gripped his broad shoulders. Had it really been like this before? So overwhelming? So incredible? So emotional? The pressure was already cresting inside of her, tight and hot, fed by separation, reunion, and love.
“Ohmygod,” she cried, her eyes flying open.
He was watching her as he moved, very rhythmically, his own face rigid, his gaze hot and intent. His eyes brightened as Alex cried out again. She heard him gasp as she gripped his shoulders more tightly, riding a whirlwind orgasm to its peak. The universe seemed to explode into a thousand bright flaming lights before her very eyes. Alex shattered with it, out of control.
And vaguely she heard him gasping her name and arching over her, within her.
They lay in one another’s arms, unmoving.
Xavier kissed her forehead. “May I spend the night?”
Alex’s eyes opened. “What about Sarah?”
“We have separate bedrooms. I’ll leave at dawn.” His smile was gentle. “If you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind,” Alex said, her heart close to bursting. Their gazes continued to hold. Alex thought about the upcoming annulment—and what that signified for them. She was dying to ask him about marriage—about when they would tie the knot. Surely there was no question about that! But she wanted an old-fashioned proposal from him. And why not? He was an old-fashioned man—by her standards. “Xavier?”
“Hmmm?”
“How long do you think it will take to get an annulment?”
“Not very long, I would think.” His gaze was direct. “I will speak to Reverend Ascot first thing tomorrow.”
Alex’s heart and hopes soared; she hesitated. When he did not speak, she said, “I was wondering.”
He began to smile. “Yes?”
She punched his shoulder. “Are you going to say it or am I?”
“Should I get down on one knee?” His eyes were dancing.
Tears filled her own gaze, again. “You don’t have to get down on your knees,” she said softly.
He shifted and cradled her even closer. “Will you honor me by becoming my wife?”
Alex nodded, incapable of speech.
He kissed her nose. A moment later, his eyes gleaming, he reached over her and retrieved something from the floor. “What the hell is this?” he asked, holding up the black lace scrap of her thong.
Alex grinned. “I’ll show you how it works,” she said.
“Hello, my boy!”
Xavier smiled politely at his uncle, now in his second term. “Hello, Markham. I hope you had a pleasant journey?”
“The trip from Washington was terrible, as always. Late spring rains have ruined the roads,” Markham said, but he was Still smiling. “Hello, William.”
