Chapter 40
Forty
SLOANE
Itried to jump the man as soon as we got back to the cottage, but Walker gentled my kisses as he caressed my arms slowly, as if trying to soothe the fire in me.
Confused, I’d released him … and then read what he wanted in his eyes. First, he shoved off my coat and then his.
Then Walker curled his hand around the nape of my neck and drew me tight to him.
The fever that crawled through me burned hotter, a fiery need only one man had ever inspired in me.
Him. Maybe I was a foolish, lovesick woman, but I truly believed only one man had been put on this earth for me.
Him. Walker cupped my ass. His erection dug into my stomach, and a flush of wet slickened between my thighs. I trembled under his ardent study.
My breath hitched as he flicked open the button on my jeans. I waited in heart-pounding anticipation as he slid the zipper down and gently slipped his hand beneath my underwear. I made a guttural sound, my hands grabbing onto his upper arms for support as he pushed through my wet to touch my clit.
Walker grunted and pressed his forehead to my temple and continued to rub my clit. “So ready for me, baby. Always ready.”
“Always,” I promised, panting lightly. “Always only for you.”
Walker growled in deep satisfaction at my words before he covered my mouth with his, hungrily kissing me like we hadn’t kissed in months. Then I was up in his arms, my legs wrapped around his waist, and he carried me upstairs.
In my haze of lust, of need, I was ready to be thrown on the bed, for Walker to take control, dominate me, and fuck me until I was crying with release.
Yet he surprised me.
He broke our kiss and lowered me to my feet beside the bed.
His hands rested on my waist for a second before sliding down over my hips. We stared at each other in a mix of longing and wonder and faith and trust. It was amazing how this deepened connection between us made my body so much more attuned and hyperaware. And ready for him.
“I love you,” I declared again, voice hoarse.
Light flared in Walker’s eyes as he tightened his grip on my waist. He gave me what felt like a reassuring squeeze before slipping his fingers under my sweater. I shivered at the soft caress of his rough fingertips.
“I love you too.” The words were rough with disuse but sincerely said.
Joy unlike anything I’d felt since Callie was born filled me completely. “Really?”
Walker bent his head to me. “Never fucking doubt it.”
I laughed softly, leaning into him as he caressed a little higher, across my ribs. Goose bumps prickled over my breasts, and they felt heavy, desperate for his hands, his mouth.
“Walker …”
His hands came out from under my sweater to take hold of the opening of my jeans.
He dug his thumbs into the waistband, expression determined and hot as our eyes stayed connected.
And then he slowly tugged my pants down over my hips.
Walker went with them, lowering to his haunches.
I felt his hot breath on the lace between my legs, and I shuddered with need.
Bracing a hand on his strong shoulder, I lifted one foot after the other so he could unzip my boots and pull the jeans off.
Understanding dawned as Walker curled his big hands around my calves, looked up into my eyes, and caressed the back of my legs. He was taking his time. Savoring this. Loving me.
He was making love to me.
A tug deep in my womb caused another rush of wet to dampen the material between my legs. Walker’s gaze lowered there. His hands climbed higher around the back of my calves before smoothing around my upper thighs. Gliding his thumbs toward my inner thighs, he demanded, “Spread your legs.”
Excitement flipped in my belly as I did as he commanded. Gently, he pushed beneath my underwear, and I gasped as two thick fingers slid easily inside me.
“Oh, fuck,” he groaned and rested his forehead against my right thigh. “I’ve missed your tight heat.”
I flushed with desire at his sexy words. “I’ve missed you inside me.”
Walker met my gaze, everything he planned to do to me blazing within his eyes.
I shuddered with desperate need but kept it together as he pulled the scrap of lace down my legs.
I stepped out of them, shaking. And then Walker lifted my right leg over his shoulder, and I whispered yes over and over, resting my hand on his opposite shoulder for balance.
He made a guttural noise of desire as he deliberately rubbed his bearded cheek along my inner thigh. He knew what that did to me.
“Fuck, yes, fuck,” I whimpered.
I felt him smile against my skin, seconds before his tongue touched my clit.
Satisfaction slammed through me, and I undulated against his mouth.
His fingers dug into my thigh, and his groan vibrated through me.
He suckled my clit, pulling on it hard, and I panted as beautiful tension built deep inside.
His tongue circled that electrified bundle of nerves and then slid down in a dirty voracious lick before pushing inside me.
“Walker!” I cried, thrusting against his mouth as I climbed higher and higher toward breaking apart.
Feeling my desperation, Walker returned to my clit and thrust two fingers inside me.
It hit like an explosion of fiery, spine-tingling stars, release sliding deliciously through me as I shuddered against Walker’s mouth.
He gently lowered my quivering leg, and I swayed against him as he stood. Rather than being languid with satisfaction, I buzzed with longing. Like I was still on the precipice of orgasm.
A thrilling power overwhelmed me as our eyes locked. His smoldered, his jaw set with a ferocious hunger and love.
Walker loved me.
I lifted my arms to help him raise my sweater over my head.
My chest heaved with my labored, excited breaths as Walker threw the sweater to the floor and brought his hands to my shoulders.
His eyes followed his fingertips as they trailed first to the top of my arm where my scar was.
He tenderly kissed the healed bullet wound, his eyes closing as if he were in pain.
And I knew what he felt at that moment because I felt it every time I touched his scars.
Fear, because the mark was a reminder I could have died, and relief, because I was here.
He opened his eyes, following his hands again as they moved with excruciating slowness across my collarbone and down toward the rise of my breasts.
Gently, Walker cupped my face in his hands and kissed me so deeply, I could taste myself.
But these kisses weren’t like before. Not kisses of longing and lost time.
Slow, sexy, and with tender reverence that brought tears to my eyes.
Walker loved me. I felt it in his kiss. My hands curled around his biceps, feeling his strength, his love, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do more: take him inside me or let him hold me while I cried with pure happiness.
Walker caressed me through the kiss with light strokes.
He relearned every inch of me—my ribs, my waist, my stomach—as if it had been years of distance instead of mere days.
His hands glided around to my ass, and his kiss deepened, grew hungrier, and he drew me against his arousal.
I could feel the war inside him as his tongue caressed mine in deep, wet strokes.
It was like he was determined to take his time, but another part of him wanted to fuck me until I screamed.
As I brushed my hands down his arms, the touch seemed to calm him, and his kiss grew gentler.
He nipped at my lower lip and then eased away, but only to stare into my eyes as he glided his hands up my back to my bra clasp.
He unhooked it, then he nudged the straps down my arms, and it fell to the floor.
His gaze slowly disconnected from mine, and I shivered as his vivid aquamarine eyes grew hooded.
His grip tightened around my biceps while he feasted on the sight of my naked breasts.
My nipples peaked under his perusal, tight, needy buds that begged for his mouth.
“I’ve missed these too,” he murmured as he reached up and cupped me.
I moaned and arched into his touch. Ripples of desire undulated low in my belly as he played with my breasts, sculpting and kneading them, stroking and pinching my nipples. All the time his eyes vacillated between my face and my breasts. I thrust into his touch, muttering my love for him.
The words had barely broken past my lips when his mouth found mine.
This kiss was rough, hard, desperate, and his groan filled me as he pinched both my nipples between his forefingers and thumbs.
I gasped, and his growl of satisfaction made me flush with pleasure.
I was beyond ready. Feeling the fabric of his shirt beneath my hands, I curled my fists into it and jerked my lips from his. “Naked. Naked now.”
Walker’s lips twitched but did as I asked.
He quickly unbuttoned his shirt and threw it behind him and then worked on his suit pants and shoes.
His chest, arms, and abs were so powerful, beautiful.
The scars were permanent reminders that he wasn’t invincible, but he was extraordinary.
My gaze lowered. I’d seen him naked many times, but it was different now that I knew he loved me, now that I had all his secrets and trust.
Now that he was truly mine.
His thick thighs and muscular calves caused another hard flip in my lower belly. I moaned when he had to peel his boxer briefs over his erection, and once freed, he was so hard, it strained toward his abs. All of this beautiful man belonged to me.
Every part of my body swelled toward Walker as he let me look my fill. I think he saw the possessiveness in my eyes because the mutual feeling glowed in his.
He reached for me, grasping me around the waist as he sat on the edge of the bed. Then he guided me to straddle him, his arousal hot against my stomach.