Chapter 27
Gracie met his mouth in a kiss that stole the breath from her lungs, her hands fisting in his shirt as though he were the only solid thing left in the world. She melted into Jaxon’s arms, desire unfurling through her like heat after a long winter, leaving her lightheaded and unsteady.
“Gods, Jaxon,” she whispered against his lips, her voice trembling, “ye undo me so easily.”
He answered her with another kiss, slow and claiming, and she gave herself to it without restraint.
Her body came alive beneath his attention as his kisses traced a reverent path along her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
She tilted her head back for him, breath catching as his mouth lingered, then drifted lower, unhurried and sure.
Every place he touched felt newly awakened, as though she had never known her own skin until his lips taught her its language.
“I feel ye everywhere,” she murmured, her hands trembling as they held him close.
Jaxon’s praise wrapped around her as warmly as his arms, his low words spoken in a hushed tone meant only for her.
“Ye’re bonnie beyond sense,” he murmured, kissing her again, “every inch of ye.”
Gracie laughed softly, breathless, and traced her fingers along his jaw and chest.
“And ye,” she said, eyes dark with want, “are strength and fire both, made to drive a woman mad.”
His hands were gentle as he slipped the chemise from her shoulders. The fabric whispered down, and she felt the cool air kiss her skin, though his gaze warmed her more than any fire.
“Daenae look so serious,” she murmured, half shy, half bold. He smiled softly and said, “I cannae help it when ye stand there like a vision.”
She turned to him then and helped him from his clothes, fingers working with familiarity that still felt new. Each buckle and fold drew them closer, their laughter low and intimate as the last of it fell away.
“We make a fair pair,” she teased.
He answered, “Aye, the finest I’ve kent.”
They slipped into the bed together, the linens cool at first before their warmth spread beneath the covers.
Jaxon drew her close, fitting her against him as though she belonged nowhere else.
Gracie sighed and tucked her head under his chin, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
“This,” she whispered, “this is where I want to be.”
He kissed her slowly, unhurried, as if there were no dawn to rush them. His hand traced lazy circles along her arm, then her back, grounding and tender all at once.
“I’ll nae leave yer side again,” he said quietly, the words more vow than promise.
She kissed him back and replied, “Then I’ll nae worry anymore.”
Jaxon pressed his brow to hers, breathing her in as though she was the very air he needed.
“Gracie,” he said, the name heavy with feeling, “ye’ve changed me.”
She lifted her hand to his cheek and answered, “And ye’ve given me a home.” The truth of it settled between them, deep and sure.
She guided her hand firm and tender as she wrapped it around his staff. He groaned in delight.
Gracie worked the hard member slowly, thumbs pressing and smoothing as she felt the tension ease beneath her touch.
“Ye carry the weight of me heart here,” she said softly, glancing up at him.
Jaxon groaned low, a smile tugging at his mouth. “If ye keep that up, lass, I’ll nae be answerin’ for meself.”
Jaxon drew her close, his touch was strong but careful as his hand reached between her thighs. Gracie sighed as her head fell forward.
“That’s it,” she breathed, “aye, just there.”
He leaned close, murmuring, “I’ll tend ye always.”
Gracie felt desired and utterly his as his hand possessed her secret space, while she moved he hand on his pleasure.
Jaxon kissed her, slow and searching, and the world narrowed to the warmth of his mouth. Desire stirred low and steady, a humming awareness that spread through her chest and belly alike. She leaned into him.
“I’ve wanted ye,” she breathed, “more than I ken how to say.”
His touch traveled with reverence, palms sliding up to her breasts, massaging and lingering as if memorizing the shape of her. Each place he touched awakened, her skin tingling as though he traced her with firelight.
She sighed when his thumb brushed her hard rose tips on her breasts, then her shoulder, the simplest touches feeling profound.
“Oh, oh!” she shouted without realizing what she did.
“Easy, lass,” he murmured, though his voice shook as much as hers.
Gracie’s hands explored him, learning the solid strength of him. She marveled at how alive he felt, how real, as though her hands had always known him.
“Ye’re here,” she whispered, awed, “ye’re truly here with me.”
Jaxon bent his brow to hers and answered softly, “Aye, and I’ve nay wish to be anywhere else. I must claim ye now as mine.”
With those words he climbed on top of her and placed himself between her thighs. With slow deliciousness he entered her.
She threw her head back as she felt him deep within her. “Oh I’ve longed for ye,” she moaned.
Jaxon responded with a groan.
When he kissed her neck, she shivered, the sensation blooming down her spine. His breath warmed her skin, his lips lingering just long enough to leave her wanting more.
She tilted her head to give him better access, a soft sound escaping her unbidden.
“Jaxon,” she murmured, and he answered, “faster, please.”
His hands settled at her waist, thumbs pressing gently as if to reassure her of his hold and then he pumped his hips faster and faster. His hard manhood gliding in and out of her as the bed shook beneath them.
Gracie felt her body respond, every nerve alive and humming beneath his touch. She traced the line of his shoulders, then his back, loving the way he leaned into her.
“Ye’re strong,” she said, wonder threading her voice, “and yet so gentle with me.”
They spoke in quiet fragments, words breaking between kisses and breaths, each confession soft but earnest.
“I’ve missed this,” she told him, her forehead resting against his chest.
“I thought I’d lost ye,” he admitted, arms tightening around her. The truth of it bound them closer than any vow spoken aloud.
Jaxon’s hand slid down her side in a soothing motion, grounding her even as desire swelled anew.
Gracie closed her eyes, savoring the feeling, letting herself be held and wanted without fear.
“Daenae stop,” she whispered, not as command but plea.
He answered with a kiss to her temple, promising without words as he continued to pleasure her with his rigid shaft.
Her fingers laced with his, and she guided his hand to her heart, letting him feel its quickened beat.
“See what ye do to me,” she said softly, half-laughing, half-breathless.
His smile was tender and undone all at once. “Ye undo me the same,” he replied, voice low with awe.
They lingered there, touching and being touched, as though time itself had slowed to grant them mercy. Every brush of skin carried meaning, every kiss a vow whispered in secret.
Gracie pressed closer to Jaxon. His lips found hers again, deep and unhurried, and she melted against him, every nerve alive under his touch.
“Ye taste of fire,” she murmured between kisses, voice husky with need.
He groaned softly and answered, “And ye, lass, set me soul alight.”
Their bodies moved in quiet rhythm, pressing and turning as if they had all the time in the world. Gracie’s fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer while his hands roamed over her, sliding lower to cradle her hips.
“I could stay like this forever,” she whispered, heart pounding, breath catching.
Jaxon smiled against her mouth and said, “Aye, and I would guard this moment like the finest treasure.”
She tilted her head, giving him more of herself, and felt a shiver run down her spine as his lips trailed from her mouth to her jaw, to the curve of her neck. His hands gripped her sides possessively, and she gasped, arching into him, body trembling with warmth and desire.
“Jaxon…” she breathed, voice soft and urgent.
He nipped gently at her ear, murmuring, “Are ye close?”
“Aye, I’m goin’ to release,” she moaned.
With that her body tremored in bliss. It shot through every inch of her as she pressed her fingers into his back.
Every touch was fire, every glance a spark, and Gracie felt herself dissolve into him, losing the world outside the bedchamber. Their mouths met again, more urgent now, lips and tongues dancing in unison, heat building between them.
“Ye’re mine,” he murmured, voice low.
She replied, “As ye are mine.”
Then Jaxon went rigid under her touch. She felt his hot juices flow into her with a shudder.
Their kisses deepened, slow and greedy, fingers exploring in tender curiosity, mapping familiar territory that felt new in the shadows of the candlelight.
Gracie’s pulse raced as she felt his hands slide down her back, cupping her fully, holding her close as if he could not bear to let her go.
“I could lose meself in ye,” he murmured, lips brushing hers in fleeting kisses.
She laughed breathlessly, “Then do, Jaxon… lose yerself.”
They remained intertwined, breathing each other in, making soft, intimate sounds that filled the quiet room. Every press of lips, every graze of skin, sent waves of warmth through Gracie, leaving her flushed and trembling.
Their eyes met between kisses, dark with longing, full of unspoken promises and shared desire. And in that private world beneath the covers, nothing existed beyond the fire they carried for each other.