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‘Ana’s my friend,’ she said. ‘It wasn’t hard.’
‘And if we marry, she will be your sister-in-law. And this will be your home. Are these not things you want?’
She blinked. A family, a sister, a home?
The longing reverberated in her chest because somehow, she knew thesewerethings she had wanted, wished for, for a very long time. Maybe forever.
The wave of gratitude, that he would even offer her something so precious, overwhelmed her.
She swallowed heavily, trying to stop the wave from washing away what was left of her common sense. How could she accept him, when she suspected he was offering her everything she had ever wanted for all the wrong reasons?
‘Yes…but… Why would you wantme?’
‘This is easy to explain, Cerys…’ he murmured. ‘Or better yet, let me show you…’
He pressed his hands to her cheeks. The rough calluses felt cool against her hot skin, but did nothing to chill the heat throbbing in her sex now, as well as her face. He was looking at her as if she mattered to him, the fierce approval in his gaze more potent than any aphrodisiac.
Lifting her chin, he pressed his lips to the pulse point in her neck. She shuddered, her response instant and forceful.
Her breathing accelerated and the heat swelled—her sex already softening, clenching, desperate to receive him again, when his lips found hers.
She was panting too heavily to find the words—or the will—to object when he unbuttoned the front of her shorts and slid his hand into her panties.
She sobbed as his thumb brushed the swollen nub. Already so needy.
‘You respond to me with such passion, Cerys. I find it irresistible.’
The words floated through her, as forceful and demanding as his touch on her yearning flesh. But when he circled her clitoris again, bringing her so close to another shattering orgasm, shame washed over her.
She lurched back, yanking herself out of his arms. Her gaze took in the prominent ridge in his suit trousers. Then shot back to his face. He didn’t look quite so pragmatic now, his expression fierce, the playfulness gone.
She fumbled, frantic to rebutton her shorts even as her clitoris still yearned for his expert touch. She’d almost gone completely to pieces again, the desire for him so intense it hurt…
She wanted the security he represented, the safety. Was impossibly moved he would offer her something so wonderful, something so huge. And she loved the thought of being a part of his family, of having a home. But she had an awful feeling she was already halfway in love with him. While he was talking about responsibilities, and practicalities, and chemistry.
The disparity was so stark—it scared her.
‘It’s… The sex, it’s not enough. Not for a marriage,’ she managed.
‘Why not?’ he replied, as if he really didn’t get it.
‘Because…’ She cleared her throat, annoyed her voice had come out on a high-pitched squeak. ‘We’re not even in a relationship.’
He thrust his fingers through his hair, looking frustrated.
‘I was your first lover, Cerys. You have spent nearly a month in my home. And you have no one. We spent the night together. I gave you your first orgasm. In fact, I gave you several. You are already wet for me again. And yet you think this is not a relationship.’ He swore in Catalan.
‘Okay, but…’
Bright flags of colour slashed across his features. And his eyes narrowed.
‘But what? What is the problem, and I will fix it,’ he said, as if her accepting his offer of marriage was a business deal he could negotiate.
It probably was to him… But how could it be to her, when he had already captivated her so completely?
‘I just… I realise that you want to be married, for lots of practical reasons. But even so…it seems… I don’t understand why you would choose me…’ she tried again, feeling cornered now, and far too aware of the spurt of adrenaline, that foolish bubble of hope and exhilaration—that he wouldwantto marry her—which left her feeling even more needy than the promise of another spectacular orgasm ‘…when we barely know each other…’
He stepped closer, close enough that she could see the shadow of beard growth already appearing on his jaw, and the flecks of gold in the rich chocolate of his irises. He cupped her cheek, making her shudder, and ran his thumb across her lips.