His hand came down with a loud crack and she cried out. “Yes, sir!”
He spanked her other cheek. Then again. He started a rhythm that made her squirm against him, heating her skin until it was blazing to the touch.
“This is mine, Natasha. Tell me.”
“Yours.”
“Spread your legs.”
When she did, Stephen gave her soaking sex the same treatment, and both of them moaned each time his hand connected with a wet smack. “This is mine too. You gave it to me.”
“Yes, sir,” she cried, so close to coming she was ready to beg for more.
Stephen stopped abruptly and moved her until her back and stinging ass were pressed against the bed and he was position between her thighs. He thrust inside her, baring his teeth while she gasped at the tight fit.
“Yes,” he growled.
He lifted one hand to place it over her heart. “What about this?” he asked, rocking deeper. “Is this mine, Natasha?”
“Yes, sir,” she whispered, breathless. Her heart was his too. It had always been his.
He closed his eyes for a moment, reacting to her words, and when he opened them again, they shone with an emotion she couldn’t deny. “Tell me.”
“I love you, Stephen.”
“You never said it.”
“I didn’t want to go first.”
He took her hands and held them over her head with one fist, closing his other hand over her throat in sensual warning. “Do you want to come?”
“Please.”
“Then say yes to my next question.”
Something in his tone made her still. She studied his face. “What question?”
“Marry me.”
“That isn’t a question.” She tightened her legs around him, holding on while the world spun again and her heart tried to race its way out of her chest.
“Say yes.” His hips pumped against her once. Twice. Then he paused again. “Marry me, Natasha Kathleen Rivera.”
“We can’t just…it’s too fast, Stephen.”
“It’s been a lifetime. I can’t spend another day away from you. I don’t want to wait another year to touch you, to talk to you. Marry me and let me love you for the rest of our lives.”
She gasped when he rolled his hips, pressing his erection against that spot that drove her wild. “I don’t like your house.”
“We’ll move.”
She moaned. “I don’t want to be the first lady.”
His chuckle was thick with lust. “I’ll add ‘never run for higher office’ to my vows. This is where I want to be and I want you with me. Marry me.”
She struggled against his grip. “What about children?”
“I’m for them. As many as you want. Marry me.”
“Stephen, I’m serious.”
His expression was determined. Wicked. “So am I. If you don’t say yes, I’m tying you to this bed and taking you until you’re pregnant and forced to marry me so your child can have a father.”
Too late. She smiled, desire and love bringing tears to her eyes. “Will you spank me whenever I’m bad?”
“And when you’re good.”
“Ask me again.”
“Marry me.”
“Yes, sir.”
Please.
Hours later she woke with a start, realizing she was alone in bed. “Stephen?”
“I’m here.” He was standing in the kitchen, eating a raspberry tart. He was also still naked. “There is nothing in your refrigerator but baked goods.”
She noticed how dark it was in the apartment and gasped. “Is Brady still outside?”
Stephen swore and peered out the window, one hand between his legs. “I completely forgot. Yep. He’s still down there. He’s playing cards with two reporters. Oh.”
“What?”
“Tanaka just showed up. He brought chairs and beer and... We should get dressed.”
She pulled the sheet up higher. “Why? What’s wrong now?”
Stephen smiled at her and her heart responded. “Nothing’s wrong, angel. Not today. If I’m not mistaken, your friend has brought us dinner from Ruby’s. There seems to be no end to his talents.”
“I really love him right now,” she sighed. Stephen narrowed his eyes and she laughed. “Not as much as my senator, of course. Besides, I think he has a crush on your cousin.”
Stephen laughed, looking for his pants. “I think you’re right. Maybe telling them about our wedding will give them ideas. If not them, hopefully it’ll light a fire under Owen. Mom has been throwing hints so hard he and Jeremy should have concussions by now.”
Wedding. She was actually getting married. Maybe she would send an invitation to her father. She didn’t expect him to respond, but at least he’d know. She’d like to think that even if he couldn’t walk her down the aisle, it would make him happy that she was marrying a good Irish boy from a wonderful family. The best family who would make sure her child was raised in love.
She needed to tell Stephen about the baby. But for now? This was just about them. Stephen loved her for exactly who she was. He didn’t ask her to change to suit his career or be less of who she was. He just wanted her. He’d asked her to marry him before he thought he had to. He’d followed his heart and it had brought him straight to her door. Knowing that took away all of her fears and doubts.