Chapter 12
Joy filled Declan and it was easy to see with the grin that spread across his face.
He didn’t know what it was about Aura that tugged at his heart and stirred his passion, and it didn’t matter to him.
The only thing that mattered was that she was his wife and would stay his wife.
Women could keep falling at his feet for all he cared, he had the woman he wanted, the woman he loved.
Aura went and took hold of her nightdress on the bed. “If you give me a moment of privacy…”
He went to her and snatched it from her hand to toss it aside. “I don’t want anything between us when we make love. I want you naked so I can feel all of you, touch every part of you, kiss every part of you… love every part of you.”
He did have a way of leaving her speechless and that he wanted to love every part of her did just that. She had no words for him.
“And I want you to do the same with me. I don’t expect you, my wife, to submit to me… my hope is that you will freely touch me, kiss me, love me whenever it pleases you.”
The thought that she could be that free with him brought a smile to her face. “So, I can kiss you whenever I like?”
“Aye, I look forward to it.”
“And I can demand that you bed me whenever I like?” She scrunched her brow. “No matter how often that is?”
He chuckled. “I’m counting on very often.”
She went to say more, but he pressed his finger to her lips and silenced her.
“We have time for questions later. Right now, I want nothing more than for us to make love and seal our vows.”
Aura stepped away from him and eager, though anxious, she began to shed her garments.
Declan didn’t hesitate…. he did the same. He rushed his garments off and went to Aura to help with the last of hers, since she had stopped when he was completely naked to stare at him.
Aura froze as she watched her husband stride toward her… naked. He not only had the finest of features she had ever seen on a man, but his body was just as beautiful. And that caused her to suddenly feel vulnerable. She, by no means, possessed such fine attributes.
He stopped in front of her, concerned, the pleasure that was only moments ago sparking in her eyes gone.
“Does my nakedness disturb you? Are you having second thoughts? What can I do to ease whatever troubles you?”
She repeated what she had heard others say about her through the years. “I am more plain-featured than most women and… you are—”
“Your husband who finds you beautiful.”
She shook her head. “Please, no lies between us, just tr—”
He took hold of her chin, tilting it up. “I speak the truth. In my eyes, my heart, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
“You would not think that if you saw my two sisters.”
“You are not like your sisters. You are different from them and that makes you even more beautiful to me.”
She almost believed him, wanted to believe him—
“I can see in your eyes that you doubt my word. Hear me, wife, when I say that I will not now or ever lie to you. I have seen husbands and wives do that and it does not make for a good marriage. There will be no lies between us, on that you have my word. And I will have your word on it.”
Aura gave it freely and from the heart. “You have my word.”
“Good. So, now when I tell you or anyone else that you are beautiful, you will believe it.”
“Aye, I believe it,” she said, feeling the truth of her words.
He smiled. “Now let’s get you out of those garments.”
Aura felt her worries fade. Declan cared for her the way she was, leaving her feeling comfortable and safe in front of him. And the way his eyes turned a striking blue told her he truly found her naked body appealing.
“Good, Lord, wife, you have the most gorgeous body,” he said, and his hands began to caress her breasts.
Pleasure raced through her, tingling every part of her and she was glad when he scooped her up in his arms, since her legs actually turned weak, and carried her to the bed.
He lay down beside her, his hand roaming over her, exploring parts of her that she rarely touched herself.
In between his caresses, his lips would settle on hers, tempting and teasing her to respond, and she did.
And each time she grew hungrier for him, more needy, as if she could not do without his touch.
But when his lips moved to her nipples to taste and tease was when her passion soared, and she felt the dampness between her legs turn wet. He woke in her what she thought would remain forever locked away, never to be felt, never to experience the joy of not simply coupling but of being loved.
The realization had her words slipping from her lips unbidden. “You love me.”
He brought his lips to hers, brushing them with a faint kiss. “Aye, I do love you. Crazy as it may seem, I love you with all my heart.”
“Then I am crazy too, for I love you as well.”
He smiled. “Of course, you do. I’m irresistible, and I am about to show you just how much you won’t be able to resist me.”
He nudged her legs apart then slipped over her and eased his manhood into her slowly, then out again, repeating it several times.
She gasped with pleasure each time.
He lowered his head to whisper in her ear. “Hold on to me.”
She gripped his arms, taut with muscles, and cried out when he thrust deep inside her. The pain was quick and faded as he continued to plunge powerfully into her. She felt only the pleasure each thrust brought her and instinct had her matching his forceful rhythm.
Pleasure continued to build in her, growing ever stronger until she feared what might happen.
“Declan,” she gasped with concern.
“It’s all right, my love, just let go. I’ll be there with you.”
He thrust hard into her, sending her over the edge, her fingers digging into his arms as she cried out his name… and he joined her.
Declan threw back his head and roared, his climax more explosive than he had ever experienced and seeing the pleasure on his wife’s face as she shuddered against him, he knew then and there that they were meant to be.
He watched Aura. Seeing and sensing when her climax ebbed, he eased out of her and slipped off her to lie beside her, though curled his arm around her to bring her to rest against his side. She snuggled against him, and he smiled, feeling she was as satisfied and content as he was.
With a gentle lift of her chin for her to look at him, he asked, “Are you all right? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
She smiled softly. “Nay. It was far more wonderful than I imagined it would be.” She chuckled. “And I might want to do it often.”
“And I will eagerly oblige you each and every time,” he said and kissed her gently.
“Your word on that?”
“Most definitely,” he said and kissed her again.
Declan pulled the blanket over them and held her close as she drifted off to sleep. He had never been happier than he was now, and he intended to let nothing get in the way of their happiness. They would have a good life together.
He closed his eyes, sleep poking at him, when the scent of the forest stung his nose. His eyes flew open, and he saw her.
The witch was there in the room with them.