Page 129 of An Inevitable Marriage

I swallowed. “I can’t.”

Understanding washed over his features, and he dropped a kiss on my shoulder. “Let me tell you whatIsee.” He dragged his hands down my arms before moving to my midsection. I sucked in a sharp breath, then another when he touched parts of my body I felt most insecure about.

“I see a strong, independent woman who’s too good for this world.” A palm skimmed my thigh. “A woman who is blind to her breathtaking beauty because she believes the lies of people who don’t matter.”

His touch smoothed up my side. “I see a woman who makes my heart smile when she laughs and turns me on with nothing more than a flutter of her eyes.” Both hands curled over my shoulders, and he drew my body flush against his. “A woman who’s seen the darkest part of me, and instead of running, she embraced it. Embracedme. Everlee Rose Maxwell, when I look at you, I see my wife. My future.”

Chapter thirty-five

Liam

Ihadn’tmeantforthat confession to slip out, but once I’d said it, I couldn’t bring myself to regret it. Shewasmy future.

Touching my mouth to her shoulder, I kissed my way up her throat. I couldn’t contain my smile when she tilted her head with a happy sigh to give me better access. I took my time kissing and nipping at the delicate skin before finally working up along her jaw.

I reached her ear and kissed the sensitive spot just below then grinned like a lunatic when she shivered. “I know talk is cheap,” I whispered. “I can tell you you’re gorgeous until I’m blue in the face, and it won’t mean shit unless you believe it, too.”

Brushing my fingers down her side, I skated my hand over her ribs. My thumb grazed the underside of her breast, and another one of those shivers rattled down her spine. “Give me a chance, Snow. Let me show you I mean every word. Let me worship you.”Let me love you.

Twisting slightly, Snow shoved a hand through my hair and tugged my face to hers. Even with those sinful heels covering her feet, I still had to bend down. I didn’t care. I’d fall to my knees for this woman.

Hell, I’d crawl if she asked me to.

“Show me.”

Two whispered words against my mouth, and my heart almost couldn’t stand it. One part of me ached to do what I’d told her. To press her against the mirror and take and take and take until she couldn’t fucking stand.

The other part, the biggest part, couldn’t wait to worship her.

Sealing my lips over hers—because not kissing this woman was impossible—I took possession of her mouth. It wasn’t tender and sweet; it was urgent and desperate. Two things I always seemed to feel when it came to her.

Only once I was satisfied she was well and truly breathless did I pull away. I didn’t miss the protest on her tongue, and fuck if it didn’t have my heart growing two sizes too big for my chest.

Because knowing this wonderful creature was as hungry for me as I was for her was a high I never wanted to come down from.

Which was probably why I couldn’t resist planting a last peck on her lips. Not giving myself the opportunity to deepen it in any way, I drew back and smoothed my hands down her spine.

I dragged my palms down the waistband of her panties before sliding them up to the clasp of her bra. Fingers poised on the metal; I stepped in close behind her. So close she had no choice but to meet my gaze in the mirror.

She didn’t.

Her lids fluttered closed, and I watched as her chest rose and fell with the deep breaths she took. I waited, silently, patiently, for her to overcome what she needed to overcome and look at me.

And holy shit, when those brilliantly green eyes finally met mine a few seconds later, I could hardly fucking breathe.

Snow slowly lifted her chin. “Take it off.”

An unwelcome bout of nerves rushed through my system. My fingers trembled while I tried to loosen the four small hooks. One, two, three tries, and the last one finally slid free. I’d wanted to go slow, steadily tug the garment away from her body inch by inch.

Apparently, my abundance of patience didn’t run that far.

With one hard tug, I shoved her bra down her arms and tossed it over my shoulder.

“Fuck me,” I breathed the moment my gaze landed on the most perfect pair of breasts I’d ever seen.

Perfect and so fucking beautiful.

Unable to resist, I reached around her and filled my hands with her luscious curves. So soft, so fucking responsive. A deep groan tore from my lungs, and then another when Snow arched her back and pushed deeper into my touch.