Chapter 38
AOIFE
‘Are you sore, sweetheart?’ Dom asks, rubbing my quads.
‘A little,’ I admit. ‘But it was worth it.’ I blow out a breath. My heart’s still working double time while I try and catch my breath. He’s awakened a sleeping beast in me, and there are so many ways that I want to feed that beast. ‘I didn’t expect the first time to feel so good.’
A grin splits his lips. ‘We’re going to have a lot of fun together, Mrs Kincaid. Let me get you cleaned up.’ He stands, tucking his cock back into his trousers and buttoning them up.
I pout and he laughs. ‘We’ll go again later.’ The muscles in his back ripple and flex as he strides to the bathroom, and I’m struck once again by how masculine he is, how powerful, but also—how gentle he was with me.
I reach for the champagne left by the side of the bed, listening to the sound of running water.
Two minutes later, he returns with a wash cloth.
I reach out to take it from him, but he shakes his head and gently cleans between my legs.
Our eyes meet; his flash with tenderness.
‘I take care of what’s mine. Now, let’s get you out of that dress. ’
I drain my drink, place it back on the bedside table, and take the hand he offers to help me up.
My legs are still shaking from the pleasure he bestowed on my body.
He unzips my dress the rest of the way down, and it slithers to the floor, pooling at my ankles.
I sidestep until I’m standing beside it, completely naked bar the sparkling stilettoes he bought me.
Hooded eyes peruse every inch of my skin, and I stand there and revel in his attention. He whistles lowly. ‘You are so beautiful, baby.’ He takes my hand in his, threading his fingers through mine.
‘So are you,’ I whisper.
‘Let’s get you bathed.’ He tugs my hand, leading me to the opulent bathroom. A white porcelain claw-foot tub punctuates the centre, filling with water and bubbles. I slide my feet out of my shoes and step in.
He watches quietly, pushing his glasses up on the bridge of his nose.
‘Will you get in with me?’ I exhale a happy little sigh as I sink into hot, soapy water.
‘Sure, give me a second.’
I rest my head back against the porcelain and close my eyes. The scent of lavender swirls in the air. A minute later, he returns with two fresh glasses of champagne and the box of heart-shaped Butler’s chocolates that was left beside them. He hands me a glass, then holds a chocolate to my lips.
‘Are you going for husband of the year award, or what?’ I tease.
He places his drink on the marble counter, then reaches for the button at his waist again. I watch shamelessly as he strips, drinking in every detail of his magnificent physique.
He picks up his glass again before stepping into the bath behind me. I shuffle forward to make room. His thick, muscular thighs wrap around mine as he guides my shoulders back until I’m resting against his taut torso.
He grabs the soap beside us and swirls it over my stomach slowly, then up over each of my breasts, circling my nipples. Arousal rips through me again, but apparently he’s determined to drag this out.
I twist my head to meet his eye over my shoulder. His glasses are half steamed up on his face. ‘Are you starting something again?’
‘Do you want me to?’ He murmurs, nipping my earlobe with his teeth.
‘Yes,’ I whisper, resting a hand on his thick thigh beneath the water, trailing my fingers over it.
I blink hard, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Something solid is draped around my waist. I glance down to see what’s so heavy. A thick, tanned, muscular forearm rests over my hip, and a huge hand is splayed across my stomach.
My husband is spooning me.
The sight of his thick, veiny forearm draped across my body sets electricity crackling over my skin. I can’t move. And worryingly, I don’t think I ever want to.
The events of the previous day spin through my brain like a carousel.
The wedding. The reception. All the effort he made to please me, from the flowers to the band, to the way he took care of me last night.
No one is more surprised than me about the nature of the man who is currently curled against my back like a second skin.
I take in my surroundings. Early morning sunlight beams in through the big windows, casting a warm glow on the suite.
I no longer have to worry about being betrothed to Rory Kavanagh.
Or worry about a debt, or the responsibility of keeping my dad out of trouble.
I have a job to start next month.
A safe place to stay.
And most importantly, a man who loves me fiercely.
He stirs behind me, but I lie still, pretending to be asleep to see how he reacts to waking up with me.
The hand on my stomach tightens, and he snuggles in closer.
His nose brushes my neck, and he inhales deeply, sniffing my hair.
I’ve never wanted to pause a single moment like I want to pause this.
‘Good morning gorgeous,’ he murmurs.
I smile. ‘How did you know I was awake?’
‘I just knew.’ He squeezes me closer against him. ‘Now, Mrs Kincaid, we have a flight to catch, but first, I need breakfast. Lie on your back and open your legs. It’s not a request.’