Page 87 of Courting Claudia

She spread kisses up his torso and neck, lingering at his right ear, where she licked and breathed and nibbled until he thought he would lose his mind. He reached between them and cupped both her breasts, and she cried out. If she would but lower herself. He bucked up to meet her, and she released a low giggle.

“Do you want me?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“How much do you want me?” This time she looked him in the eyes.

“More than I’ve ever wanted anyone. Please.”

The change in her was dramatic, and it was all for him. He’d taught her to trust him enough that she felt comfortable being the dominant lover. His heart pounded rapidly. He loved her. God, how he loved her.

She lowered her body, and he felt the hot slickness of her rest against him. She moved a little. Back and forth, back and forth. Bloody hell, if she wasn’t careful, he wouldn’t make it very long.

“Claudia, I need to be inside you.”

She leaned in and kissed him while she lowered herself on him. She sat still for a moment before she began to move. Faster and harder she rode, and he thought he would explode, but he kept up with her.

She tilted her head back and squeezed her eyes closed. Tears slid down her cheeks, yet she continued to move. And then it was over, in a flash of pleasure. Her waves of pleasure subsided and still she cried. She collapsed on top of him, her curls brushing his cheek.

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

He said nothing, merely wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly.

I love you, he wanted to say, but couldn’t. Not now. Not until he could be completely honest with her. Damnation. When she needed to hear it the most, and he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

She listened to the steady rhythm of his heart. The crinkle of hair sprinkled on his chest tickled her cheek. She felt exhilarated and free. Never had she thought she would do what she’d just done. She’d never imagined the marriage bed could be pleasant, and Derrick had taught her differently, and now she was instigating their lovemaking.

She giggled.

“What’s so funny?” He smoothed the hair at her temple.

“Married life is not at all what I envisioned. I’m not the same person I was mere weeks ago. I can’t even believe what I just did.”

“You can do it anytime you want.” His hand slid down the length of her back and swatted at her behind. “I mean it. Consider me your personal love slave.”

Now that was a delicious thought. Every once in a while, it hit her that he was hers and hers alone. “Sometimes it doesn’t seem real.”

“What?”

“Us. Our marriage. Sometimes I think I’ll wake up and it will only have been a dream.”

He brushed the hair out of her face. “A good dream?”

“Yes. When we first got married, I wasn’t so sure. I thought you were the wrong husband, that my life would be a terrible mess from then on. But the truth is, I married the right man. I’m happy with you, Derrick, and I hope someday you’ll be happy with our marriage too.”

“What makes you think I’m not happy?”

“I know you didn’t want to marry again.”

“No, I didn’t, but I don’t regret it. I’ll never regret marrying you.”

“What about Julia?”

“What about Julia? She’s in the past.”

“Do you still love her?”

“No. I haven’t loved her in many years.”