Page 112 of If You Claim Me

I blink against the sudden brightness, taking in the sight of my husband, his broad shoulders forcing my legs wide, tattooed arms looped around my thighs, dark eyes heavy with lust.

He licks up the length of me and latches onto my clit. I come in violent waves, moaning his name, pussy contracting around nothing as he laves me. It’s intense—overwhelming and not enough at the same time. I grip his hair and yank viciously when I can’t take any more. He presses a kiss to my clit and prowls back up my body, lethal and gorgeous and mine—for now, I can’t help reminding myself. I vow to enjoy every last minute while I have him.

“I need you inside me.” I push his boxer briefs over his hips—somewhere along the way his socks have disappeared, maybe while he was making me come with his mouth? Freeing his erection, I hook my leg over his hip, pulling him on top of me.

Connor gazes down at me, gentle fingers sliding into my hair. “Let me get a condom.”

There’s a heart-shaped box on the nightstand. He flips it open, grabs a foil square, and quickly rolls it down his length. And then he settles between my thighs, erection sliding over slick skin. Time slows. His face is a mask of desire as our bodies align.

He tenderly cups my face in his hands, the tremble nearly imperceptible. “If we go forward, we can’t go back,” he whispers.

“I know.” I touch his cheek. “Please, Connor.”

He pushes inside in one smooth stroke, a full-body shudder rolling through him.

This is so much more than sex. It’s more than sensation andneed. I feel my heart opening as his lips brush mine and he whispers my name like a prayer.

In this perfect place, hidden away from the rest of the world, I can forget about the contract I signed. About the time limit we’ve set. About the reasons I said yes.

Here in this moment, I am claimed and claiming. I’m his, and he’s mine. And I never want us to end.

CHAPTER 29

CONNOR

Iwake up wrapped around my wife for the second time in as many days.

Mywife.

Mildred’s breathing is slow and even. We stayed up late last night, giving in to the chemistry that’s been steadily building over the past several weeks. I’m afraid to move, to break this peace. What if last night was a culmination of all the stress of our engagement? What if she changes her mind and decides sleeping together is a bad idea?

Unfortunately, my bladder is screaming at me, so I carefully slide my arm out from under her and ease out of bed.

When I return a minute later, Mildred has rolled into my spot and stolen my pillow.

She cracks a lid when the floor creaks. I freeze, waiting to see what will happen. She blinks at me, eyes still heavy with sleep, but her gaze warms as it moves over my mostly naked form.

She shifts over and pats my pillow. “Come back and cuddle me.”

Relief is warm in my veins. I climb back into bed and stretch out next to her, slipping my arm under her.

She moves into the crook and wiggles around, grumbling, “Still not close enough.” She pulls herself on top of me, tucking her head under my chin.

“Are you feeling exceptionally affectionate?” I run my hand up and down her back, skimming the tiny doves tattooed below her shoulder blade that I discovered last night. “Or are you horny?”

“Probably more the former than the latter, but you’re poking me in the stomach, and other parts of my body are getting ideas, even if they’re a little sore. Should I move? Is this too much for you?”

“It’s not too much.” I like that she wants to be close to me, whatever the reason.

“Do you want to be this close to me?” She traces the angel wings on my chest.

“Yes.” I run my fingers down her spine. “I’ll take any excuse to be in your orbit, no matter how villainous.”

“Did your parents hug you when you were a kid?” She kisses my chest, right over my heart, as if she already knows the answer.

“Not really. We had nannies. Sometimes they were affectionate, but those ones never lasted long.”

She lifts her head, chin resting on my chest. “Why not?”