Page 4

four

. . .

Jax

I button up my shirt, watching Claire slide her dress back on with a satisfied smile. The sight of her glowing skin still sends a thrill through me, even as we prepare to head downstairs and play hosts once again. The kitchen staff has been bustling around, the aroma of roasted turkey and spiced pies wafting through the old inn.

As we enter the dining room, the long table is already set with gleaming silverware and elegant china. Guests begin to arrive, filling the space with jovial chatter and clinking glasses. I keep Claire close, my hand resting possessively on the small of her back as we make our rounds and greet everyone.

The dinner progresses smoothly, a delicious spread of traditional favorites and a few of my own gourmet twists. But as I savor a bite of stuffing, I notice a man leaning in close to Claire, his eyes roaming over her in a way that makes my blood boil. She laughs politely at something he says, but I can see the discomfort in the tightness of her smile.

Jealousy rears its ugly head inside me, a snarling beast clawing at my chest. I grip my fork tightly, knuckles turning white. How dare he look at her like that, as if she's his to covet? The urge to march over and rip him away from her consumes me.

Claire glances my way, her eyes widening slightly at the intensity etched on my face.

I want to whisk her away, to claim her as mine and mine alone. The thought of anyone else touching her, desiring her, fills me with a primal rage.

And then fucker puts his hands on her.

I stand abruptly, my chair scraping against the hardwood floor. The chatter in the room fades to a distant hum as jerk him up from his chair and thunder, “Get out!” at him.

I don’t know who he is, and I frankly don’t give a fuck because he’s just crossed a line.

Everyone is staring at the scene I’m making, but again, I don’t give a fuck. I tug Claire's hand, pulling her to a stand and then I lead her away from the curious gazes of our guests. She follows without hesitation, her trust in me evident in every step.

We weave through the inn's winding corridors, the air crackling with tension. My pulse races, the need to have her, to claim her, overwhelming all rational thought. I find a secluded alcove, hidden from prying eyes, and press her against the wall.

My hands frame her face, tilting her chin up to meet my burning gaze. "You’re mine, Claire. Mine , and I’m not done with you yet," I growl, my voice rough with desire. "I'll never be done with you."

Claire's breath hitches, her lips parting in a silent gasp. I close the distance between us, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss. It's all tongues and teeth, a desperate clash of passion and possession. She melts into me, her hands fisting in my hair, pulling me closer.

I break the kiss, trailing my lips along her jawline, down the slender column of her neck. "Mine," I whisper desperately against her skin. "Only mine. The thought of anyone else touching you drives me insane."

She arches into me, a soft moan escaping her. "Jax," she breathes, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm yours. Always."

My heart swells at her words, the intensity of my feelings for her nearly overwhelming. I claim her lips once more, pouring every ounce of my devotion, my hunger, into the kiss. She matches me, stroke for stroke, her own passion rising to meet mine.

I feel Claire's hands slide down my chest, her fingers deftly working at the buttons of my shirt. My breath catches as her nails graze my skin, leaving trails of fire in their wake. She pushes the fabric off my shoulders, her eyes dark with desire as she takes in the sight of me.

"My turn," she murmurs, a seductive smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She presses her palms against my chest, backing me up until I'm the one pinned against the wall. Her lips find my collarbone, teeth grazing the sensitive skin there, and I can't suppress the low groan that escapes me.

Claire's hands explore my body with a newfound boldness, each touch sending shockwaves of pleasure coursing through me. She's taking control, and it's intoxicating. I'm drowning in sensation, in the feel of her mouth on my skin, the press of her curves against me.

"Claire," I manage, my voice rough with need. "You're driving me crazy."

She looks up at me through her lashes, a coy smile on her kiss-swollen lips. "That's the idea," she whispers, her hands dipping lower, teasing along the waistband of my pants.

I capture her wrists, spinning us around so she's once again trapped between me and the wall. Our eyes lock, the air between us crackling with tension. In this moment, I know with startling clarity that this woman is my everything. The emotions swirling in her gaze, the way my heart races at her touch—it's something deeper, something that has taken root in my very soul.

I want to take care of her. I want to marry her. I want to put a baby in her belly like a man is supposed to do.

I crush my mouth to hers, the kiss a wordless promise of all the things I long to say. She responds with equal fervor, her fingers tangling in my hair, holding me close. We're lost in each other, the rest of the world fading away until there is only the two of us and this searing connection that grows stronger with every passing second.

And even though my cock is pressing insistently against the front of my pants, I make myself break the kiss.

We’re both breathing heavily, and I rest my forehead against hers. "Claire," I murmur, my voice trembling with the force of my emotions. "Say you’ll stay with me forever."

She stares at me, her eyes wide and luminous in the dim light. For a heart-stopping moment, I fear she doesn't feel the same, that I've misread the situation entirely. But then a slow, radiant smile spreads across her face, and she reaches up to cup my cheek.

"I want that too, Jax," she whispers, her thumb brushing over my skin in a featherlight caress. "I didn't expect this, didn't expect you, but now I can't imagine going back to my life without you in it."

Relief and joy surge through me, and I capture her hand, pressing a fervent kiss to her palm. "You've turned my world upside down, Claire Harper," I confess, my heart in my throat. "I've never felt this way about anyone before."

She leans in, her lips a hairsbreadth from mine. "I'm falling for you, Jax Donovan," she breathes, her words a sweet caress against my mouth. "Harder and faster than I ever thought possible."

Our lips meet in a kiss that seals our confessions, a promise of the future we'll build together. And then I have to have her.

I unbutton my pants, and my cock drops out, stiff and heavy. I hike Claire’s dress up and push her panties to the side, groaning at the wetness that meets my fingers.

I slide my fingers through her slick heat, relishing the way her breath hitches. "Fuck, you're so wet for me," I groan against her neck. "Always so ready."

"Only for you," Claire gasps as I circle her sensitive nub. "I need you, Jax. Now."

I can't deny her, can't resist sinking into her welcoming warmth. I line myself up and thrust deep, swallowing her moan with a searing kiss. Her legs wrap around my hips as I start to move, my strokes hard and fast, driven by a primal need to claim her, to mark her as mine.

The alcove fills with the sounds of our passion—ragged breaths, desperate kisses, the erotic slap of skin on skin. Claire meets me thrust for thrust, her nails raking down my back, spurring me on.

"Harder," she pants. "Don't hold back. I want to feel you for days."

Her words unleash something wild in me, and I comply with a low growl, slamming into her with abandon. The pleasure builds rapidly, coiling tighter and tighter. I snake a hand between us, finding her clit, intent on bringing her with me over the edge.

"Come for me, Claire," I command hoarsely, rubbing rapid circles. "Let me feel you."

She shatters with a choked cry, her walls clamping down on me like a vice. I bury my face in her neck, muffling my shout as I follow her into bliss, emptying myself deep inside her.

We stay locked together, hearts racing, as we float down from the high. I pepper her face with soft kisses, marveling at the incredible woman in my arms.

"I love you," I murmur, the words spilling out unbidden. "I know it's fast, but I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

Claire's eyes shine with unshed tears. "I love you too, Jax. This is real, isn't it? What we have?"

I kiss her tenderly, pouring all my adoration into it. "It's the realest thing I've ever known. You're my everything now."

I hoist Claire into my arms and carry and carry her upstairs to my bedroom, relishing the feeling of her warm body nestled against my chest. The scent of her hair, the soft swell of her breasts pressed to me—it all feels like a dream I never want to wake from.

Gently laying her on the plush comforter, I drink in the sight of her spread out before me, cheeks flushed and eyes dark with desire. "You're so beautiful," I murmur reverently, trailing my fingertips along the silk of her inner thigh. "I want to worship every inch of you."

She shivers at my touch, back arching off the bed. "Please, Jax..." Her breathless plea is music to my ears.

I take my time undressing her, savoring each new expanse of creamy skin as it's revealed. Flicking open the front clasp of her lacy bra, I groan at the sight of her perfect breasts, rosy nipples already pebbled and begging for my mouth. I oblige, drawing one stiff peak between my lips to suck and nibble until she's writhing beneath me.

"You taste divine," I growl against her breast before moving lower, blazing a trail of hot, open-mouthed kisses down her quivering belly. Hooking my fingers in her panties, I tug the scrap of lace down her legs and toss it aside.

Claire watches me through heavy-lidded eyes, chest heaving with anticipation as I settle between her parted thighs. The first swipe of my tongue through her slick folds has her crying out, fingers twisting in my hair.

"Jax! Oh God..." She bucks against my face as I feast on her sweet nectar, lapping and suckling her swollen clit. Sliding two fingers deep into her tight channel, I stroke that sensitive spot inside and feel her start to flutter around me.

"That's it, baby. Come for me," I coax, pumping faster, curling my fingers as I suckle her clit. With a sharp gasp, she shatters, thighs clamping around my head as she rides out the waves of her release.

I lap up every drop before crawling up her body to claim her mouth in a searing kiss. Claire moans at the taste of herself on my tongue, hands roaming greedily over my shoulders and back.

"I need you," she pants against my lips. "I need to feel you inside me. Please, Jax..."

"I've got you, sweetheart." Pushing to my knees, I free my aching cock and position myself at her entrance. With one smooth thrust, I bury myself to the hilt in her slick heat, a guttural groan escaping my throat at the exquisite feel of her gripping me like a vise.

"Fuck, you're so tight. So perfect," I rain kisses down on her face incoherently before I grip her hips and pull her flush against me as I start to move, long deep strokes that have her mewling and clutching at my forearms. Her silken walls hug my cock like they were made just for me, drawing me in deeper with every thrust.

"Harder, Jax," she gasps, nails digging deliciously into my skin. "I need you deeper."

A primal growl rumbles in my chest at her words. Hitching her leg higher on my hip, I comply with her breathy demands, snapping my hips faster, harder, the force of my thrusts rocking the headboard against the wall. Claire arches beneath me, the new angle letting me hit that sweet spot inside her with every stroke. Her cries of pleasure fill the room, spurring me on, driving me closer to the edge.

"Touch yourself for me, Claire," I grit out, my eyes locked on hers, dark with lust and need. "I want to feel you come on my cock."

Holding my heated gaze, she obeys, sliding a hand between our sweat-slicked bodies to circle her swollen clit. I can feel the flutter of her walls as she works herself closer to climax, her breath coming in short, sharp pants.

"That's it, baby," I encourage roughly, fighting the urge to let go, determined to bring her over first. "Come for me. Let me feel you."

With a keening cry, Claire shatters in my arms, her body going taut as she pulses and clenches around my thrusting cock. The rippling vice of her sex is my undoing, and with a hoarse shout, I follow her over the precipice, spilling myself deep inside her welcoming heat.

I collapse on top of her, my face buried in the crook of her neck as we struggle to catch our breath. Claire's fingers card gently through my sweat-dampened hair, and I press a tender kiss to her racing pulse.

"I love you," I murmur against her skin, the words a sacred vow. "I'm never letting you go."

She cups my face in her hands, bringing my mouth to hers for a slow, sweet kiss that makes my heart ache with the depth of my feelings for her.

"I love you too, Jax," she whispers, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

My chest tightens at her words. This beautiful creature loves me…

I drop feather-light kisses across Claire's face as we catch our breath, our hearts beating in sync. "This is the best Thanksgiving I've ever had," I murmur against her soft skin, inhaling her intoxicating scent. "You've made it unforgettable in every way."

A sultry smile curves her kiss-swollen lips. "Mmm, I don't think I've ever been more...stuffed," she smiles, trailing a finger down my chest.

My cock twitches at her words, already stirring to life again. "Is that so?" I nip playfully at her earlobe. "Well, far be it from me to leave you unsatisfied on Thanksgiving."

Rolling her beneath me, I kiss a searing path down her neck to her breasts, lavishing attention on the sensitive peaks until she's arching off the bed. "Jax, please..." she keens, fingers tangling in my hair.

"Please what, sweet Claire?" I rasp, my hand skimming down her trembling body to tease her slick folds. "Tell me what you need."

"You," she gasps as I circle her swollen clit. "I need you. I'll always need you."

Surging up, I claim her mouth in a deep, drugging kiss, our tongues tangling feverishly. She wraps her legs around my hips, urging me closer. The head of my cock nudges her entrance and I pause, drinking in the sight of her flushed and wanton beneath me.

"I'm going to fill you up, Claire," I promise darkly. "Stuff you so full of my cum. Put my baby in this sweet belly." I stroke reverent fingers over her flat stomach, imagining it growing round and ripe with my child.

Claire's breath hitches, her eyes flaring with primal heat. "Yes," she moans, tilting her hips in blatant invitation. "Jax, please. I want that, want you. Now and always."

With a low growl, I surge forward, sheathing myself to the hilt in her welcoming body. We both cry out at the exquisite sensation, so deeply joined. I start to move, rolling my hips in a steady rhythm that soon has her clutching at my shoulders, my name a litany on her lips.

"Harder," she pants, scoring my back with her nails. “Stuff me with your cum, Jax.”

My control shatters. Hoisting her leg higher on my hip, I pound into her, the force of my thrusts rocking the bed. The wet slap of flesh, our harsh breaths and moans of pleasure fill the room. Tension coils tighter and tighter at the base of my spine as I chase my release.

"Come with me, Claire," I command hoarsely, grinding against her clit. "Milk my cock, let me feel you come undone."

Her walls clench around me in fluttering pulses as she cries out, her climax crashing over her. The rapturous sight of her pleasure, the satin heat rippling along my shaft, sends me hurtling into ecstasy. With a guttural shout, I bury myself to the hilt and erupt, painting her womb with thick ropes of my seed.

I collapse on top of her, both of us gasping for breath, sweat-slicked skin sliding deliciously. Claire's fingers delve into my hair, scratching lightly at my scalp as I press open-mouthed kisses to her neck, her jaw, the corner of her lush mouth.

"I love you," I rasp, still buried deep within her, reluctant to ever withdraw from her sweet heat. "I want to build a life with you, Claire. Grow old with you. Keep you barefoot and pregnant."

She cups my face, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "I want that too, Jax. More than I've ever wanted anything, but it’s all so fast, it’s kind of scary."

I roll to the side, gathering her close, tangling our limbs together until we're a knot of sated flesh and racing hearts. "You never have to be scared with me," I vow solemnly, brushing my lips against her brow. "I'll always keep you safe. Cherish you. Love you until my very last breath."

We make love twice more that night, soft and slow, savoring each touch, each whispered endearment. When sleep finally claims us, it's with Claire's head pillowed on my chest, our fingers entwined over my steadily beating heart.

I know I'll never let her go, this enchanting woman who's captured me so completely. My last thought before slipping into dreams is of the shining future stretching out before us, full of laughter and love and the pitter-patter of tiny feet.

I’ll always keep her stuffed.