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ASTRID HAD GONE TO Michael’s room seeking his strength, and she had found some of her own. It had been hidden. But somehow she had found it. She had hidden behind villainy. Anticipating pain behind every event, she had taken the offensive and played aggressively. Hurt or be hurt. Put up a strong front or appear weak. Well, she chose to be strong and hurt others before they could cause her any more pain. The world was a frustrating place for a woman. She had felt confined. Restricted.

After the nipple incident, she had decided to take life into her own hands. She had thought that being strong meant showing no weaknesses.

In Michael’s arms, she learned the truth. People were a mess. They could be both strong and weak. Impulsive and constrained. Sensual and good.

Without a doubt, she knew she was in love with Michael. She had known from the first dance. His first smile. Their first kiss. It had been awful to experience his coldness toward her, but now that she knew him better, she could understand why he held himself to such a high standard of moral rectitude. She had left. Giving them no time to discuss the incident. And then, as with so many troubles in life, time passed and no one made the first move.

Astrid watched as Michael lowered himself to one knee. “Astrid, you asked me what I want from you. And I can tell you now. I want you to be my wife. Be the delight of my life. I love you, will you marry me?”

A few tears trickled down her face. “We lost so much time together, I won’t lose another second. Yes, I will be your wife.”

She leaned in to kiss him and he pulled her down on his knee. “You’ll be mine?” He murmured as he dotted her neck with kisses.

“Yes, I’ll be yours. And you’ll be mine.” She chuckled.

“Only yours. My God, woman. I must have you.”

“Yes.”

And then he stood, this powerful, yet tender, man. “Get on the bed, Astrid.”

She scurried over.

With a heavy lidded stare, he intoned, “We know you can be a bad girl, but now let’s see if you can be a good girl.”

A tremor shook through Astrid. This man. He was everything. Power. Intensity. Authority. And she wanted to surrender control to him.

“Tell me what to do, Michael.”

“You know what to do.”

She shook her head. “I’ve never…”

A bewildered look flickered in his eyes.

“You’re my only…experience.”

At her confession, he was at her side, astonished. “But you—”

“The rumors gave me the freedom I desired to act how I wanted. I only flirted. I never did anything. I was waiting for the right man.”

His soft kisses stopped her from speaking anymore.

“I have so much to show you, but tonight will be special,” Michael said between kisses.

“Because it’s with you, it’s already special. Take me how you want me, Michael.”

“I want you every way.”

His fingers were on her nightrail. He gripped it and then tore it down the front.

She gasped and he dropped to his knees.

“God above, you are divine. You truly are an angel.” With a gentle push, he encouraged her to step back and rest her bottom on the bed. Then he took one of her legs and rested it over his shoulder. “I can’t wait to taste you, my love.”

“Michael, I—”

But then his tongue was on her core and she couldn’t breathe. With gentle strokes, he licked her seam. His moan reverberated up her spine and then back down to her toes. He flicked her bud over and over again.

“Yes,” she cried breathlessly. “Just…like…that.”

And then his lips were like a seal on her and he sucked on her until her hands gripped his hair. She was pulling his head closer and pushing her hips into him. Giving in to him. Surrendering to his ministrations.

As he sucked on her, his hand reached up and massaged her breast. The tension was mounting. She wanted nothing more than to pour herself out to him. He pinched her nipple and she screamed his name. The shock waves ratcheted through her as she emptied herself. Yet her body felt heavy after the release. Sated, but weighted. With a big grin he lifted her up and laid her on the bed.

“I want to feel you.” It was a statement, but he asked it as a question.

“Yes. I want you.”

In a trice, he unbuttoned his flap. Her eyes took in his large cock. A dewy bead rested at its tip.

She moaned at the need to have him inside of her. “Yes, Michael.”

He pressed his tip in between her slit and she trembled at the tenderness.

“This might hurt a bit, but the pain won’t last, my love.”

She nodded and closed her eyes to rest her head back.

“Look at me, Astrid. I want you to see me.”

She watched as his face tightened. She could feel his restraint as he slid into her. The cords in his neck were taut.

Her face must have changed at the slight pinch she felt as he delved into her. Exploring.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes. I want you, please.”

A slow rock turned the slight pain into an immense pleasure, and she mewled her appreciation.

“I love your sounds, Astrid.”

She hummed in response.

He rocked back again and pumped back into her. This time with more vigor.

“Yes,” her eyes rolled to the back of her head. She hadn’t expected to have another orgasm with him.

“I want to feel you clench around me, Astrid. And I want to fill you up inside.”

Her limbs were already weak from her first experience, but she wanted him close. She tried to raise up on her elbows when he gently pushed her back down with his mouth.

As his lips explored her body, she kissed his neck, licking and nipping.

One of his hands was on her breast, squeezing it and positioning it for him to suck on her. He looked up at her. “I’ve had so many dreams about you and this nipple, Astrid. I’ve needed to do this for a very long time.”

“Always,” she panted. “You can always do this.”

“Mmm…yes, I think that’s a very good idea.”

There was a coiling in her stomach. All the flutters had banded together in one ever-tightening knot and now they were about to spring loose.

He plunged into her again, and she could feel him everywhere. He was everything she needed. “Yes.”

She could feel him swelling inside of her.

“Yes!” she shouted.

“Come for me, Astrid.” He managed between breaths. “We’ll come together.”

And then she shattered. Her world had been torn apart and now it was set right. This was the man she loved.

***

CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING WAS a blur. It was likely a whirlwind for everyone, but it was especially blurry for Astrid.

Not only had Hope and Isaac returned, but all seven of Hope’s brothers (and each of their wives) had returned home just in time for Christmas Eve. It was a flurry of drama and activity with everyone checking in on Hope.

Astrid finally made time to make her confession to Hope, and she had been forgiven. Astrid had also made a point to tell Hope how much Isaac needed her, so as to erase any doubt Hope might have. It took all day for everyone to visit with Hope, and no one was quite sure what was going on until the couple came down hand in hand for Christmas Eve dinner.

It was a beautiful feeling Astrid had while taking a pre-dinner drink with her beau on her arm. Her brother had Hope, and she had love.

And just when Astrid thought she couldn’t be any happier, Michael clinked his glass and cleared his throat. It was time to share their joy with some of their closest friends. “I have an announcement to make.”