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I cupped her cheek, tilting her face up, forcing her to see what burned inside me. “You should always be treasured. Not rushed. Not taken for granted.”

Trust shone in her gaze.

Every fiber of my being ached for her. The look in her eyes was more than I deserved, but it was everything I needed. I wanted to cherish her, to show her what it meant to be loved, truly and deeply.

She brought my hand to her chest and pressed it over her heart. Her pulse pounded.

“Feel that?” she said. “I’m not afraid of you, Ruugar. You should stop being afraid of yourself.”

The truth in those words wrecked me.

Arms locking around her, I crushed her to my chest, absorbing all that she was, all that she was giving me. She leaned into me, fitting her body against mine like she was always meant to be there.

The waterfall roared, the wind stirred the grass, and the stars whispered their quiet secrets.

But none of it mattered. Beth wantedme.

She ran her fingertips along the line of my jaw. My heart pounded so hard it shook me. I couldn't look away from her. Didn't want to.

“You're trembling,” she said.

“Because of you.” My voice came out hoarse, barely more than a growl. “You do this to me, Beth.”

A soft smile curved her lips. She reached for the hem of her shirt, pausing to meet my gaze before she lifted it. I swallowed hard, my mouth going dry as she revealed herself bit by bit. When she dropped the shirt and her undergarment followed, I couldn't breathe.

Her breasts were perfect, round and soft appearing, tipped with pink nipples that made my mouth water. I'd never seen anything like them before. Never imagined someone so beautiful could want me. She must have seen the awe in my eyes because her cheeks went pink, and her hands rose to cover herself. I caught them, pulling them away.

“Don't hide,” I rasped. “Please.”

Beth bit her lip, then nodded. She took my hands, guiding them to her breasts. Her skin was warm. I cupped her gently, brushing my fingers over her nipples. A sharp gasp escaped her.

“Like this.” She rolled her nipples between her fingers. Pleasure rippled across her face, and I thought I might explode in my pants right there. My cock was on fire for this woman alone.

Seeing her touch herself, showing me how to give her pleasure was almost too much. And not enough. I needed more. Needed her.

I replaced her hands with my own, rolling them like she did while she tipped her head back and sighed.

Her eyes met mine. The desire there nearly undid me. “Your turn.” She tugged at my tunic.

I ripped it off, not caring if it tore. Her gaze roamed over my chest, my arms, and I flexed under her scrutiny. When her finger trailed down, tracing the fastenings of my pants, I groaned. My cock throbbed, straining toward her touch.

Beth stood, shimmying out of her pants and undergarment. She stood there, bathed in moonlight, naked and perfect. I drank her in, every curve, every line.

Her skin glistened like freshly fallen snow, and I ached to trace patterns across her flesh, to claim her in every way I could. The curve of her waist begged for my touch, the flare of her hips cried out to be gripped. I let my gaze wander, committing every detail to memory, the way the moonlight cast shadows on the dip of her collarbone,the gentle swell of her belly. I wanted to worship her, to pay homage to each freckle, each scar, each perfect imperfection that made her Beth.

“You're beautiful,” I breathed. “Like the first sunrise after a long night. Like the stars reflecting on still water.”

She smiled, laying down on the grass. “Come here, Ruugar.” She held out her hand.

I took it, kneeling beside her. “Can I touch you?” I asked, my voice rough. “Everywhere?”

“Yes,” she breathed. “I want you to.”

My heart swelled with a love so profound, it hurt. I wanted to explore every bit of her, not just for my pleasure, but to show her how precious she was to me. Each touch was a promise, a vow that I would never let her down.

I started at her breasts, mimicking how she'd touched herself again. Each brush of my fingers over her nipples made her moan, made her arch into me. I leaned down, capturing one peak with my mouth, swirling my tongue around the bud. Beth whimpered, her hands sliding into my hair.

Every sound she made, every shudder of her body under my touch, was a gift. I wanted to savor each moment, to imprint her pleasure on my soul. This wasn’t just about desire; it was about love, about making her feel cherished.