“Come in,” he said.
He turned from where he’d been standing at his open closet, a leather belt in his hand. He froze when he saw her. Never taking his eyes off her, he draped the belt on a hook and spun to face her. He wore only the dark blue trousers from his uniform.
“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice low.
“So do you,” she said sincerely, giving him a shaky smile.
He came toward her. Suddenly she was in his arms, surrounded by his solid male strength and breathing in the subtle, spicy scent of his aftershave. That full, wonderful feeling she’d been experiencing on and off all day swelled tight in her chest cavity.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Faith?” he murmured, his gaze scoring her.
“Yes. Today, I’m sure,” she whispered.
His nostrils flared slightly. He bent to kiss her and their mouths fused. Just like during their wedding, a brilliant palette of sensation suffused her consciousness. His mouth was so demanding, and yet so gentle, warm and firm. His smooth skin and dense muscles flowed like a sensual blessing through her seeking fingers. He parted her lips with his tongue, and she felt herself melting into him. She delved her fingertips into the thick, crisp hair on his head and pushed him down closer to her. He bent his knees and put his hands on her hips, pressing their bodies almost as close as a man and woman could get.
Almost.
She gave a soft cry when he lifted her and carried her over to the bed.
“I’ve waited for this for what feels like forever,” he said after he’d laid her on the bed. He stood over her, his expression almost grim with desire as he looked down at her.
“Let’s not wait anymore,” she said, reaching for him.
He came down over her, pressing her into the mattress. She loved his solid weight, adored the way he kissed her with feverish possession. She felt burned by him, scorched by his intensity. She made a sound of protest when he broke their kiss and rolled onto his side, his front facing her. He placed his hand below her ribs. It looked dark and masculine next to the pale, soft fabric. Her breath stuck in her lungs when he ran his hand over the fullness of her breasts. He brushed the thin straps off her shoulders and lowered the fabric.
For a few seconds he said nothing as he stared at her bare breasts. His heated gaze caused an ache of longing at her core.
“So beautiful. So feminine.” He touched the side of a breast. “So soft.” His gaze rose to meet hers. She stilled when she saw the deep emotion in his dark eyes. “Our child is going to nurse here, one day.”
“Yes,” she mouthed.
“Faith...” he whispered heatedly. She watched, enthralled, as his dark head dipped. She trembled as she watched him kiss a pink nipple, then slip it between his lips. Her entire body seemed to sizzle in sympathy with the flesh in his warm mouth when he drew on her so sweetly.
A sharp cry broke free of her lips.
His large hand closed gently over her other breast, his fingertips gently manipulating the beading center. He shaped her to his palm and lifted his head, holding her breast in his hand and slipping the other nipple into his mouth.
She whimpered in rising need and raked her fingers through his thick hair. Desire pinched at her almost painfully, but he seemed so intent on his task, she couldn’t bear to make him stop. She stared sightlessly at the ceiling while he teased and manipulated and worshipped her sensitive flesh, mounting her desire unbearably.
“Ryan,” she finally pleaded softly.
He lifted his head from her flushed, aching breasts. His eyelids looked heavy with arousal.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his hand moving along her sides, stroking her sensitive skin even as he lowered the fabric down over her waist, and then her hips. Soon, she was lying before him, naked. His gaze burned her. His hands followed, worshiping and stimulating all at once. He traced the shape of her hip and thigh with his palm, and then lowered his head to her stomach. She moaned at the sensation of his open mouth on her bellybutton, the ache at the center of her becoming unbearable. She clamped her thighs shut to alleviate the pressure.
“Shhhh,” he soothed, rising over her, his hip next to hers, one elbow bracing him. He touched between her thighs, his fingertips gentle and knowing. He kissed her mouth softly when she cried out.
“Open your thighs, Faith,” he whispered hoarsely next to her lips.
She hadn’t realized she’d been closing them so tightly, as if she was unconsciously protecting herself from the rush of sensation and feeling that would come if she exposed herself. She looked at Ryan through heavy eyelids, his face so rigid with desire, and knew she’d been foolish to try to keep herself separate from him...safe from him.
Only a coward would keep themselves safe from the one they loved.
She parted her thighs. A slight convulsion went through his tight facial muscles.
“Oh, Faith,” he muttered thickly. “You’re so sweet.”
“Ryan,” she whispered, trembling. His hand moved, tenderly exploring the folds of her sex, granting pleasure wherever he touched.