Page 17 of Honor and Claim (A New Reign #2)

Chapter Seventeen

COSIMA

T his is going to be hard, but I think it is possible. I glance over to Z, who is driving. I can see the tension in his body. Okay, maybe not. I would almost laugh, but it’s not the time.

“You good?” I reach over, placing my hand on his thigh. It’s nice to be back stateside. There is no place like home. We got off the plane a few minutes ago and are heading in the direction of the farm.

I know my father kept asking Z when he'd be back home. Z has always come and gone, living two separate lives. One he keeps to himself in a world I don't understand, and then there’s the one he has with our family. Both lives carry a heavy weight.

“I’ll be good.” His concentration on the road is fierce. Too fierce.

Z has always been the most laid-back of everyone, or has appeared to be.

Right now if anyone were to see him, they'd know something is going on, but he might be letting it show now because it's only him and me. I know it’s ridiculous, but I like that he’s letting me see him in a more vulnerable state.

“Are you sure?” I slide my hand over to his cock, rubbing him over his slacks. I hate how tense he is.

It doesn't matter how many times we go at it, we're both already ready for more. And trust me, we've been all over each other for the last few weeks, forgetting about the rest of the world.

“Cosima,” he warns, as if that would stop me.

“We’re married,” I remind him, hoping that will help ease the tension. It's crazy to think that. I'm not only married but pregnant too.

Us getting married had been what Z wanted. He said it would give him a level of peace. I wanted it too, of course. I mean, I’ve dreamt of being Z’s wife for as long as I can remember. There was no question in my mind, so giving him that peace was easy.

I’m just hoping it will last once we decide to let everyone know about us. Even after we tied the knot, he still seems to be on edge about it. Does he truly believe my parents will try to tear us apart? I don't think they would, but you never know.

It could cause a ripple effect through the family. A family I think Z isn't sure would stick by him in the end. My father holds loyalty in high regard, and he could see this as a betrayal by Z.

The wedding was quick and took place on a hillside in Italy, but it was sweet, nonetheless. It belongs to only us.

We married with just the two of us and the officiant and her wife. I haven't told Marks or Tova. They are going to be pissed if and when they find out, but right now, I want to be in this moment with Z. For us to start our lives together without having to worry about outside opinions.

Plus, Tova has announced she is pregnant. I'm not stealing her moment. She and my brother deserve the attention.

"You took your ring off." Yeah, he hadn't been thrilled about that. I wear it on a chain around my neck, tucked under my shirt, to keep it near my heart. He's been equally annoyed about taking his ring off too.

He got all huffy about taking it off on the plane. That was freaking adorable.

"Our marriage is more than a ring."

"I know that." He glances over at me.

"I love you." His shoulders relax.

"I love you, too."

"And we'll have a big wedding later. War and Tova just had theirs, and now she's pregnant. This is their time."

“War knows about us.”

I stare at Z. “Wait, since when?” How am I only hearing this now?

I have been keeping this from Tova because I didn’t want my brother War to find out!

I would rather not put her in that situation.

I was willing to take the hit and have her be pissed at me than for her to have to keep anything from her husband.

I know I wouldn’t want to be put in a spot where I had to keep secrets from Z.

“Since I took off after you. At least that’s when he clued me into him knowing, but I’m sure my mouth didn’t help much that night I stumbled into his room.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? I didn’t tell Tova so she wouldn't have to keep things from her husband, but I guess my husband keeps things from me.” I fold my arms over my chest.

“This is our first married fight?” He smirks.

“No, it isn’t. Did you forget about Larry?”

“You know, you really shouldn’t assume Larry was male.”

“And you really shouldn’t assume Larry is a male name,” I clip right back, making him chuckle. Yay! I’ll take a chuckle over him being tense.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen another side to Z. One that isn’t laid-back and is quick to react. Whatever facade he might have been throwing up is long gone. That might be part of his unease if he thinks he can’t fake it any longer.

“Either way, you didn’t need to be petting Larry the hedgehog.”

“You never let me do anything fun.”

"I'll let you pet my dick later." I burst into laughter.

"You need to keep your dick in check."

"If you think we're sleeping in separate rooms, you've lost your damn mind."

"Oh, I'm going to sneak over to your room." I rub my hands together like I'm coming up with an evil plot.

"It wouldn't be the first time."

"Hey, I didn't sneak. I knocked and everything."

Z suddenly takes a turn off onto another road and pulls over. He unclicks my seat belt, pushing his seat back in the process before lifting me up and over the console into his lap so I’m straddling him.

"What's wrong?"

"What's wrong is that we are nearly at the house, and I wish to kiss my wife before I can no longer do so openly. It’s going to be the worst form of torture keeping my hands off you.” I melt into him.

"Okay." I tilt my head to the side. "You can kiss me. I'll allow it." His hand cups the back of my neck. A move he often makes now.

Even with Larry, Z had cupped the back of my neck, leading me gently away. It's possessive, and while annoying every now and then, it's all super freaking hot. Hey, don’t look at me, I can't help what does it for my vagina or the flutter of my heart. They want what they want.

"Don't think because you're pregnant, I won't spank your ass." I lick my lips. I've now received two spankings. If they're to deter me from doing something, it's not going to work.

"Challenge accepted," I deadpan.

"Brat," he says before pulling me in and kissing the ever-loving hell out of me. It quickly moves past a kiss. "I fucking love and hate your obsession with dresses." Z yanks my panties to the side. “Get me out,” he orders as his fingers slide through the folds of my sex.

I go for his belt, quickly undoing it and freeing his cock. I let out a moan when he thrusts a finger inside of me, the palm of his hand rubbing my clit at the same time. My dress bunches up around my waist.

“Always ready for me.” He thrusts his finger in and out of me, adding another. I throw my head back, his touch almost too much for me to handle. “Eyes on me,” he orders, causing me to immediately bring my gaze back to him.

“Give me more,” I sass him, knowing he doesn’t have the ability to hold back from me while we’re in the car. He’s just as desperate for me as I am for him.

“You don’t call the shots, Cosima,” he tells me before pulling his fingers out from inside of me.

“No.” There is no way he’s pulling this crap right now. I’m too worked up to care about who’s in charge. Before he can stop me, I grab his cock and sit on it.

“Fuck,” I faintly hear Z say once his cock is buried deep inside me. I’m too wrapped up with how good it feels to comprehend much.

Once I’ve adjusted to him, I begin to ride him. His hands grip my hips to help with my movements.

“It’s so good. You feel so good.” I moan as he drives into me, hitting me exactly where I need it.

“Show me your tits.” I halt my movements, pulling down the top of my dress for him to see. “I didn’t tell you to stop riding my cock, did I?” I let out a moan at his words and begin moving again.

I’m rewarded when I feel his lips wrap around my nipple, sucking it into his mouth. It’s too much. I go off, the orgasm courses through my body, the pleasure gripping me. Z releases my nipple from his mouth and begins thrusting into me until I feel his warm release fill me.

He pulls me into him, my head coming to rest on his shoulder as we both try to catch our breath.

After a few seconds, Z nuzzles me, looking for my mouth. I lift my head, giving him what he wants. This time the kiss is slow and sweet, and I know whatever happens, in the end it will be Z and me.

We’ll face what we have to, but no matter the fallout, he is and will always be my husband.