“Noah,” she said the moment her lips had left his thumb.
“Yes?”
“You still have your clothes on.”
Did his woman need him stripped bare? “Ask and you shall receive.”
And then he stood. He had no qualms about her seeing every inch of him. And so, without another word, he stripped down his pants. “Fitting in that tub with you is going to be a challenge, but I’m up for the task.”
She gasped out a giggle as her eyes got measurably larger. He stood still as she perused him from top to bottom, her gaze lingering on his member. “Oh,” was all she managed to say as she stared.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said as he grabbed the soap. Then he stepped to the back of the tub. “Now slide forward, I’m climbing in behind you.”
In the end, it wasn’t pretty and one of his legs spilled over the side, along with a great deal of water, but he squeezed himself in. And then he began to soap.
He started with her back but when it had been thoroughly scrubbed, he moved to her arms then her hands, twining their fingers together and then her front.
When his palms slid over her ample breasts she moaned, arching into him even as her head settled on his shoulder. Now he had an excellent view of her chest and breasts bobbing in the warm water and what he saw had him stiff as a board. And when he slid his hand lower, over the flat of her stomach, he stopped for a moment to brush along her wet curls.
She whimpered, her body arching to give him better access and when he slid his fingers lower, brushing along her most intimate flesh she cried out.
The noise filled with lust but even more importantly a deep satisfaction. He wanted to please her, to give her pleasure.
He glided his fingers through again as she twisted in the tub, writhing under his hand.
“That’s it, love,” he crooned in her ear, his other arm holding her tight against him. Both her hands dug into his forearm, her gasps and moans of pleasure filling him as they held locked together.
And when she broke apart, Noah knew he’d belong to her forever.
He didn’t give her recovery time as he slid out from behind her, heaving himself from the tub. The bath had been lovely, but he needed room. He intended to explore every inch of her.
Taking both her hands, he helped her from the tub. This time, he devoured her with his eyes, taking in her tiny waist, the flare of her hips, the length of her legs. She was stunning and he intended to worship every inch.
Pulling her close, they kissed their way to the bed and then fell down onto the fluffy mattress together, her arms locking about his neck.
And while he’d intended on exploring her body with his mouth, the head of his manhood came into contact with her slick folds and a low rumble reverberated in his chest. And when her legs came up around his waist, he was lost. Lost to reason and so far from control, he could barely articulate a thought.
All he knew was that he belonged here in her arms and as he sank into her warmth, she welcomed him with a purring next to his ear. He loved this woman with all his heart, and he was finally home.
Chapter Fourteen
There was pain. Avery acknowledged that the way one might view a rainstorm when one was safe and dry inside. Distantly, she felt it, a pinch followed by a burning sensation.
But far greater was the feeling of oneness, of being complete, that came with being joined like this.
It was something she’d treasure for the rest of her life.
When he was fully seated inside her, he stopped. Finding her lips, he gave her a long slow kiss as her body adjusted.
Pulling back, he looked down into her eyes. “Next time, I’m going to kiss every inch of you.”
“Next time I take a bath?” she teased, sliding a hand down his back. She knew what he’d meant. And she supposed he was correct in assuming there would be a next time.
Just like he’d been right about their marriage. The choice had been made without her.
She gave her head a little shake. She didn’t want to think about that now. This was her moment. Her chance to have a say.
“You know very well I meant the next time we make love,” he said as he kissed her again.
She let out a sigh, loving the way he felt but sad that some of her joy had been diminished by the reminder that after today, she had no more freedom left. “Let’s just enjoy now,” she murmured and then kissed him again.
But he pulled back, staring down at her. “You’re not going to leave again, are you?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m not.” She’d face her future with the strength that had carried her through her past. But she didn’t have to talk about it. Not now. “I just want to enjoy being with you.”
He smoothed her hair back as he slowly pulled out again. When he pushed back in the pain had lessened a great deal. “I want to enjoy the moment too,” he said, sliding his hands behind her head so that they both cradled her head while being buried in her hair. “But as much as I am enthralled with touching you, there is more I need to say.”
He pulled slowly out and pushed back in, and this time, it didn’t hurt. “What?”
“I…” He swallowed and then kissed her. “I love you, Avery.”
That made her throat clog with emotion even as her arms tightened about his neck. Did he mean that? As he looked down at her, his gaze unwavering, she could hear the truth in his words.
And love…that made all this worth it. What she had to give
