Page 115 of Thorns of Desire

We shared a look, an indescribable expression on his face.

“Were you… hoping for a boy?” I asked him, uncertainty wrapping its fingers around my heart.

Dr. Ferrari left the room, the door clicking softly behind her.

Manuel straightened, his arms pulling me closer into his embrace. “I’m thrilled it’s a girl. She’ll be our little princess who’ll grow up to be a fierce queen.” He cleared his throat. “I’m the luckiest man alive.”

I pulled slightly away so I could meet his glistening dark eyes.

“I love you.” My voice cracked. “Slowly but surely, I fell in love, and I might not have known what it was at first, but there’s no mistaking it. I love you, Manuel.”

“Fuck,amorina.” He closed his eyes, sucking in a deep breath.

Tears rolled down my cheeks, but I didn’t bother wiping them away.

“You were right all along. Love doesn’t have to hurt. Just like you said.” I snaked my arms around his waist and looked up at him. “I love you, and you make me so happy. You make me feel safe, and whenever I’m with you, it feels like I’m… home.”

He let out a sardonic breath. “Even though I got you pregnant?”

“Like you said, it takes two.” My lips met his, and I squealed when he picked me up. My legs instinctively wrapped around his waist.

He grabbed my chin with one hand, tilting my head back so he could gaze down at me.

“Tell me again,” he demanded.

“I love you,” I breathed against his lips. “You calm my heart, mind, and soul, and there’s nobody else I trust more than you, husband.”

My back pushed against the wall and he kissed me, dominating and harsh, meant to consume me. I slid down his body, never breaking away.

His tongue thrust into my mouth, licking and causing me to whimper. There weren’t any more barriers—just us and our love.

His hand slipped between my legs, along the sensitive flesh of my inner thigh, and I shivered at his touch. He bunched my panties, then ripped them off.

“Husband, my lingerie drawer will need replenishing if you keep this up,” I murmured, skimming my mouth down his stubbled chin. “And I won’t go easy on your wallet.”

“I count on it. My wife deserves the best.”

Manuel eased two ruthless fingers inside me, ripping a moan from my throat. “Holy shit,” I rasped.

“You’re always so ready for me,amorina.” His fingers started to move inside me. “So fucking wet and greedy. Just the way I love it.”

I couldn’t resist the clenching, my nipples throbbing. My limbs quivered as erotic sounds left my lips.

“Tell me you love me again,” he rasped.

I smiled, my lips tingling and bruised.

“I love you. So goddamn much. You make me so happy.”

He quickly unbuckled his pants and freed his rock-hard cock. A needy moan ripped from my lips when he lifted me up, urging me to wrap my legs around him again.

He thrust inside me, filling me to the hilt. I was completely at his mercy. I wanted him to know I trusted him unconditionally. His groin hitting my swollen clit, I took all that he gave.

Pleasure mounted until all I could hear was the slap of flesh against flesh, my desperate moans and his grunts.

“I love you…” My voice trembled. “I love you, I love you…”

His pace slowed and he took my bottom lip between his teeth. “I’m forever yours,amore mio.”