“Yes, but I’m warning you if I find you slipping and behaving as if—”
He blocked the rest of her words with a kiss.A soft kiss.A tender kiss.A kiss that said so much more than mere words.She wound her arms around his neck and leaned into his strength.Gradually, the kiss went from sweet to demanding, and his hands—both his hands skimmed down her back, pulling her even closer.
“Gweneth,” he whispered.
She pulled away and briskly washed.“Ready to dry.”
He followed suit and nodded.She hit the dry control.The dry cycle clicked off.
“I’m tired.I need a rest,” she said.
“I find myself in need of a break too.My second-in-charge is capable of conducting the training this cycle.”His gaze caressed her face and body and slid back to focus on her hair.A rash of goose bumps broke out on her skin—the good type that spelled excitement and eagerness for the coming cycle portions.“Could you take your hair down for me?”
“Of course.”Naked, she padded to her sleep chamber, her fingers busily working through her braid and loosening the strands.She hadn’t thought about her hair while she shifted.A fascinating process since her braid had remained intact.She’d bet makeup would stay in place too.A happy thing since she wanted to look her best, not only for Ellard but for herself.A snort emerged.Well, maybe she did put some stock in appearances after all.She tested the thought and nodded.It was more a fastidious cat thing to do with cleanliness and grooming.
Soft solar light poured through the windows, the storm-blue window screeners open to full.The faint scent of a floral perfume floated in the air—lavender with a hint of green herbs.Gweneth pulled back the pale blue covers of her gel-bed and slid into comfort.She could hear Ellard talking on his com in the main reception room.He finished and strode into her chamber to join her.
“I like your arm.”
He glanced down and lifted his arm, then clenched his fingers into a fist.A sense of wonder etched into his expression.“Ilovemy new arm.”
“Can you feel textures in the same way you used to?”
He crossed the distance between him and her gel-bed.“May I?”
“Yes.”
He rolled toward her and skimmed ghostly fingers over her cheek, down her neck, and came to rest on her breast.“I feel the softness of your skin, the beat of your heart, the fullness of your breast.I’d call that a big win.”He pressed his mouth to her brow and pulled back to regard her with a serious mien.“I love you, Gweneth.I want you and our child more than anything.I know my behavior and my attitude haven’t been the best, and I’m sorry I’ve hurt you.”
“Ah, Ellard.”Her feline stirred beneath her skin, the restless movement a reminder of her twin nature.“I have loved you for a long time.I watched you go about your job, trying to ignore me.I watched the way you trained your men and interacted with your brother, and every time, you claimed a bit more of my heart.”
“I never thought I’d meet a woman who made me feel this way.A mate.”
Happiness curled through Gweneth, warming her from the inside out.The corners of her mouth lifted, an outward expression of her mood.“Enough talk.Kiss me.”
Their lips met with urgency, their bodies melting into each other.She explored his spectacular chest, his ridged abs and bulging pectorals, his flat stomach, the contrast of hard and smooth tantalizing and satisfying.Hers to fondle and pinch and stroke.When he went to flip her over onto her back, she resisted.
“No, let me go on top.”
“Anything you want, kitten.”
“Huh!I’ll remind you of your words if we argue or have a loud discussion.”
“Am I going to regret this?”The corners of his eyes crinkled, the amusement in him taking flight and gifting her with a sensual smile.Her toes curled.
“No.”She settled herself on top, straddling his hips and grinning down at him.“I don’t think so.”She shifted toward his toes, her butt coming into contact with his erection.“I don’t think either of us will regret this.”
“You’re beautiful, kitten.”
“Thanks.”She leaned closer to kiss him, and he sucked one nipple into his mouth.Heat and need roared through her as fast as a spaceship at full speed.She gasped at the sensations, at the ache that settled in her pussy, but was determined to take this at her pace.She traced her fingers over his cheekbones and brushed soft kisses to his eyelids.His eyes remained closed, and a smile curved his lips.Firm lips.Sensual lips.She traced them with the tip of one finger, and the curve deepened.Black hair framed his solid features.Taken separately, they were good features, but for some reason, they didn’t combine with the perfection of his younger brother’s.Gweneth pressed a kiss to the bridge of his broad nose.Some people might worry about their children inheriting his plain features.Not her.She would teach their children true values and be the loving parent she had lacked.
Now that she’d tested the idea, excitement expanded inside her.Ellard would make a great parent.He was patient and steady and loyal with a good heart.All excellent characteristics.
“You’ve stopped kissing me.”
She glanced up to find him watching her, the curve still shaping his lips.
“You’ll make a good father.”
