Kate fisted her hands into his hair and pulled their bodies even closer. Why did it take almost walking away and losing him for her to remember that Aidan was her touchstone, her constant? He always had been. Why did she sometimes forget that?
But all of the difficulties leading up to this moment didn’t matter anymore. Aidan’s mouth was on her lips, and his hands were on her breasts, making her entire body sing.
Oooh, yes. Oooh, hell yes.
For a moment the entire world telescoped and disappeared until it was just the two of them, his lips devouring hers, his strong hands, which had somehow slipped down to cup her bottom and pull her even tighter against him...and the proof of how much he desired her.
And she wanted him, too. His hard body felt so good under her hands. She slid them across his shoulders and down his muscled arms. Her hands pushed their way between them, finding the waistband of his trousers. She dipped her fingers below, working the button and fumbling with it, determined for nothing to stand between them. There would be nothing but skin on skin. Him inside of her. And the sooner the better—but before she could finish unzipping him, Aidan broke the kiss.
He stood there for a moment, stock-still, his forehead resting on hers.
“Is this a good idea?” His eyes, dark with need and hunger, like a mirror reflecting back everything she was feeling, locked with hers.
“Of course, it is a good idea,” Kate said. “When has the two of us having sex ever been a bad idea?”
“Never.” He kissed her again. “Until now. I don’t want to hurt the baby.”
She took his bottom lip between her teeth, let go and then kissed it. “The doctor said that gentle lovemaking in the early stages of pregnancy is fine as long as there are no problems. She said this pregnancy doesn’t appear to have any problems. And I certainly don’t have any problems with you making love to me.”
Aidan scooped her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.
She heard the ragged edge of his breathing just beneath the blood rushing in her ears. He smelled like heaven: subtle aftershave with grassy notes and something leathery and masculine. The seductive mix nearly pushed her over the edge. It teased her senses, made her feel hot and sexy and more than a little bit reckless as he eased her back onto the bed, his gaze transfixed on hers.
No...she wasn’t feeling reckless. She was feeling...safe and protected. As he tasted and teased, she melted into him and let go of the last bit of hesitation she possessed. If she let herself, she could love him. Couldn’t she? Because if ever she could love a man, it would be Aidan.
And hadn’t it always been Aidan? Even if her conscious mind hadn’t realized it, hadn’t her subconscious mind always wanted him? Yes. For as long as she had known what it meant for a woman to want a man.
His fingers lingered on her stomach, slipped underneath her blouse and worked their way up to her breasts. He loved the way she seemed to melt at the feel of his touch. Explosions of desire and fiery need spiraled in his gut.
She looked so beautiful and vulnerable lying there—his wife. This was his wife. Kate was his wife. And she was going to have his baby.
He kissed her lips, her gorgeous eyes, her jaw, her cheeks, the delicate ivory column of her neck, and tenderly bit down on her earlobe. Her head lolled to the side in approving bliss.
“I’ve wanted this for so long,” he whispered. “I’ve wanted you for so long. I’ve wanted us. I promise you I will do everything in my power to make you happy and be the best husband I can be.”
He had never felt such all-consuming longing in his life. He needed to show her how much he ached for her, how much he desired her, not just in this moment. He would crave her for the rest of his life. He wanted to show her with his lips and hands and body why they were so right together.
He touched her, and in response, his own body swelled and hardened. He had to be careful, gentle. They had to take things slowly. That was why he focused on how much he loved the feel of her body, her curves, so strong, yet so pliable to his touch. When he moved, his hands found her breasts again, cupping them through the silky material of her blouse, savoring their full curves before teasing her hard nipples. She gasped and arched against him, seeming to lose herself in his touch, fueling his rigid desire.
The thought of making love to her sent a hungry shudder coursing through him. It racked his whole body. But that was nothing compared to the feel of her hand on the front of his trousers. She teased his erection through the layers of his trousers and boxers. The sensation was almost more than he could bear. He needed her naked so that he could bury himself inside of her.
Again he reminded himself to go slow, savor the moment, protect their child. He took his time undoing each button on her blouse. In one swift, gentle motion, he lifted her so that he could remove it. Next, he unhooked the front clasp of her bra. He freed her breasts, lowered his head and worshipped them with his mouth until she cried out in pleasure.
The sexy sound almost undid him.
She must have sensed as much, because she made quick work of picking up where she had left off with his trousers, sliding down the zipper. He helped her rid him of his pants and boxers. They fell to the floor, freeing him.
When he settled himself beside her, she looked like the most beautiful
