Chapter 45
Nicolas was on cloud nine.
He didn’t know if life could get any better than this. The very idea was as impossible as trying to bottle sunshine. It was beautiful in theory, but never meant to be done. Precious things like that should never be contained.
Just like his love for his wife laying in his arms.
He’d tried to conceal it. He tried convincing himself that he’d agreed to marrying her because of his duty. Because she was, despite the risk that came along with her, his best option. In the back of his mind, he knew that had been bullshit.
When it came to Emily, nothing was ever business. Everything was personal.
He’d believed he understood the full extent of his adoration for her. A crush. A lack of information. Knowing more about her should have extinguished that fire, but it had only fanned its flames.
Now experiencing what both her heart and body could offer, that belief had crumbled.
What Nicolas felt now was something greater, an elevation beyond anything he’d known. She’d redefined its limits.
Emily was the first and last woman he’d ever loved.
He’d been convinced what he had with Molly back in college was love until Emily stormed back into his life and made him question everything.
Had he ever felt as deprived when her eyes weren’t on him as he did with Emily? He longed for her to notice him in every room they were in.
Had he ever personally sought out everyone who crossed her with retaliation?
Every cell inside him burned from the restraint to not kill Mallion for what he’d done to her.
How he had her feeling less than, had her thinking she was the problem when it was clear he’d been undeserving of her.
Having Steven handle him was far too generous.
He should have had him blacklisted to the point he’d never show his face in this industry again.
And had he ever loathed the idea of another man touching her with such visceral fury? He wished he’d been her first everything. Her first romantic interest, first date and first kiss.
Therefore, the answer to all of these questions was a resounding no.
His finger brushed against her cheek which was tinged with a faint pink. Asleep, she really looked like an angel.
Emily stirred at the feel of his touch against her skin, her plump lips parting. He traced the outline of them.
Nicolas wondered if she knew that she wouldn’t be able to leave him now. He knew she hadn’t married him because she wanted to. Her falling for him had been love, unscripted. But they’d already gone far beyond the point of return. They’d have to see this through until the ending credits.
He’d make sure of it.
Her eyes fluttered open when he poked the side of her left cheek.
Golden brown orbs slowly registered the sight of him propped beside her.
“Good morning, wife.”
A content smile spread across her mouth. “Good morning, husband.”
Fuck.
Nicolas felt his groin tighten at the coarse sound of her voice. It was a satisfactory indication of how sated she was from the night before.
His chest swelled with pride.
He needed her again even though he’d just had her. He doubted the craving would ever cease to be honest. There was eight years worth of build-up. Eight years worth of denial, diversion and restraint. Now that she was his, he didn’t have to hold back.
His hand traveled below, watching her eyes become heady as he spread her legs open.
He pushed the covers down with his free hand so they both could see. His fingers parted her pussy lips before dipping a finger inside her, pulling a grunt from her throat.
“Nico—”
“Watch.”
“But—”
“I said, watch.”
They witnessed as the evidence from last night slowly came out. A satisfied groan left him at seeing his cum mixed with hers. The most breathtaking fusion. “We look so good together.”
Emily dug her face in his neck. “You’re insane.”
“And your body is honest. You can’t hide how much you like this, baby. I can feel it.”
Low gasps came when he started pumping his finger in and out of her. She gripped his upper arm tightly. She was getting wetter.
A gush of arousal coated his finger within the next minute after she’d let herself go under, drowning in the pleasure he offered.
He kissed the top of her chest as she shook.
“Now let’s get you properly cleaned up.”
His arms slid beneath her body before he knelt on the bed and eased his way off it. She looked at him while in his hold, her eyes clear from the mist.
Emily let a light squeal when he ran into the bathroom like a madman.
And I won’t hold back.