Chapter Twenty-Three #2
She took a step back from him. “I have always been my own source of strength. I never needed anyone else. And that’s not the case any longer.
I need you, Evan. What I feel for you is more than love.
It’s realizing that I have found the other half of my being.
For I am a better, stronger person with you by my side.
I never hated you. I hated that I gave you my heart and knew I would never get it back.
Never have I let my walls down and been more vulnerable with anyone but you, and it frightens me at times. ”
Marina looked up from her feet and found him staring at her. He swallowed several times and his eyes shone with unshed tears. “I love you,” he said, his voice breaking. “We are stronger together.”
She threw herself into his arms and pressed her lips against his. One of his tears hit her cheek and she deepened their kiss. He swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed, setting her on her feet long enough to pull her night rail over her head before kissing her again.
Urging her to sit on the edge of her bed, he kneeled before her.
He kissed and massaged her thigh while his other hand crept up her stomach to her breast. Kissing along her thigh, he found her pearl in her nest of curls and massaged his tongue against it.
She cried out, and he put a finger over her lips to silence her while he dipped his tongue inside her core.
He slipped his tongue inside of her, his cock throbbing from the delightful taste of her desire.
Putting her hand over his, she took his finger into her mouth and sucked on it, running her teeth along his finger before soothing it with her tongue.
She sucked his finger deep into her mouth, sucking hard and massaging it with her tongue.
She reveled in the effect she had on him and how his breathing became more ragged.
He groaned and pulled his mouth away from her core and slipped two fingers from his other hand inside of her. “You are going to be the death of me.”
She kissed the tip of his finger. “You love me.”
He pushed his fingers deeper inside of her and licked her nub again. “Indeed.”
“I think you want me, too,” she teased, spreading her legs wider. She had him right where she wanted him.
He released a low growl. “I know you want me, love. I have the proof on my tongue.”
Evan stood and worked on the buttons of his shirt while she unbuttoned his falls. She stroked his cock when it fell into her hand.
He moaned and buttons pinged on the floor as he ripped his way out of his shirt. She slid his breeches to the floor with her free hand, and he leaned down to kiss her, cupping her cheeks with his hands.
When he pulled back, he pulled her into his arms and she wrapped her legs around his body, anchoring herself to him where he stood. He reached for the covers and threw them back before attempting to lay her down on the bed.
“Take me like this,” she whispered, licking and sucking his neck.
He released a low growl and carried her to the nearest wall. Using the wall to support her, he shifted her up and slid her down on his cock. Holding her against the wall, he thrust himself into her.
“Like that?” he asked, pulling back and thrusting again. “And that?” He increased his speed, causing her to bounce in a perfect rhythm on his shaft. “How about that?”
“Yes,” she cried out. “Don’t stop.” She was wanton and mad for the man who would be her husband. There wasn’t a thing he could do to her that her body didn’t crave.
He stilled and whispered in her ear, “You must be quiet. Only for tonight, and then you may be as loud as you wish at any hour of the day.”
“I can’t help it when you feel so good.”
He covered her mouth with his and he thrust into her as if he had come unhinged. She loved bringing out the feral, wild side in him. The intensity and need palpable between them.
She clenched and moaned when he climaxed, and he kissed her harder to muffle her cries, pumping deep into her when he released.
Both panting and struggling to catch their breath, he laid her down on the bed, then crawled in bed beside her.
She reveled in the feel of his strong arms holding her close to him.
Their lips found each other again, their kisses slow and tender.
He broke their kiss, and pressed his lips to her brow.
“I shall never get enough of you,” he whispered.
She grazed her fingertips back and forth across his muscular chest, which still heaved as he fought to steady his breaths.
“Good thing I shall always be yours,” she whispered in return.
They laid together in silence for several minutes, her stroking his chest while he ran his fingers through her hair. Marina couldn’t help but smile imagining this scene playing out every day for the rest of their lives.
“Happy, sweetheart?” he asked.
She shifted so her chin rested on his chest, looking up at him. “Very.”
“Are you ever going to let me make love to you in bed?” he asked teasingly.
Her hand slipped down his body until she gripped his cock. She lazily stroked it. “It would seem we are in bed right now.”
He flipped her to her back, and hovered over her. He stared into her eyes, and she saw the depths of his love for her. She cupped his cheek. “Make love to me, Evan.”
He slipped himself inside of her with tantalizing slowness. She wrapped her legs around him and held him as tight against her as she could. She would stay with him like this forever if she could. He moved with slow, unhurried strokes. He trailed slow kisses along her neck.
Her eyes rolled back in her head from the intensity of his slow, tender movements. “Evan,” she whispered against his ear.
He lifted his head to meet her gaze, continuing his deliberate undulations. “I love you.”
Tears formed at the corners of her eyes. “I love you, too.”
Lowering his head again, he kissed her as if her kiss would give him the oxygen he needed to breathe.
“Evan,” she whispered against his lips. “I need…”
He didn’t alter his pace, and kissed along her jaw until he reached her ear. “Good things come to those who wait,” he whispered.
She tightened her legs around him even more. She massaged the muscles of his chest before clasping her hands around his neck to pull his torso closer to her. She licked and sucked his neck, knowing she was driving him wild.
“I’m also in love with that wicked tongue of yours,” he panted.
She responded by taking his earlobe between her teeth and then dipping her tongue inside his ear.
He growled and thrust into her. She held on to him and moaned into his ear with each of his thrusts as he increased his speed. Tightening around him, she rode the most intense wave of pleasure he had ever given her, rocking against him she muffled her unintelligible cries into his neck.
Evan thrust into her again, finding her lips before he moaned against them. His movements slowed and he was deep inside of her to the hilt, spending in small thrusts releasing every drop of his climax.
He collapsed beside her, and pulled her close so they faced each other. She brushed his hair back from his face and pressed her forehead to his. “I can’t wait to be your wife.”
Running his hand lazily up and down her back, he pulled back and kissed her brow. “As far as I am concerned, you already are.”
“Where are we going after the wedding tomorrow?” she asked and nuzzled her head under his chin.
“How about Italy?”