Page 73 of Forbidden Access

“I’m sorry. It was necessary. I hoped you’d put two and two together.”

Her eyes flashed. “Don’t ever give me a fright like that again.”

“I won’t, I promise.”

Thorn grinned, unable to contain her joy. Suddenly, she knew everything was going to be all right.

James groaned loudly. “Hey, I’m still here, you know. Can’t you two have this heart-to-heart later?”

“No, we fucking can’t,” Damian growled, tightening his grip on James. He glanced back at Thorn, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I’m glad to hear that, because I know this great guy who’d be perfect for you.”

She played along, her eyes twinkling. “You do?”

“Yeah, and the best part is, you’re already married to him.”

She burst out laughing. “I am, aren’t I? I keep forgetting that part.”

“I so want to kiss you right now,” he said, his voice low and rough, “but I can’t let go of this jerk.”

The jerk in question rolled his eyes, clearly not appreciating being the third wheel.

“Hold that thought,” Thorn whispered, as she pulled out her phone to dial 911.

CHAPTER 33

The door had barely shut when Thorn sped across the room and into his arms.

“I missed you so much,” she murmured, nuzzling against the warmth of his neck. Her pulse was racing, in tune with her heart.

“Same,” Damian replied in a throaty growl that sent shivers down her spine. “It’s been a long fucking three weeks.”

The hunger in his voice matched her own, the time apart having only stoked the fire that burned between them.

His hands dropped to her hips, gripping her firmly as he lifted her off the ground. She wrapped her legs around his waist, clinging to him like a lifeline as he carried her down the hall to the bedroom.

There was an urgency in their movements, a desperate need to reconnect, to erase the distance that had stretched between them and the fear of the last few hours.

As they reached the bed, however, something shifted. The raw intensity that had driven them so often before gave way to something softer, more tender.

She felt it as he undressed her, removing her shirt slowly, his fingers lingering over the fabric. There was no rush, no desperate frenzy. They had time now.

He undid her buttons one by one, savoring the moment. Next, he peeled off her jeans. When he was done, she was wet and writhing with longing. Only he could make her melt by just looking at her.

She reached for him, needing to feel his skin against hers, to remind herself that this was really happening, that Damian was here, with her.

His shirt came off, and her hands roamed over his chest, feeling the solid muscle beneath her palms. She explored the familiar yet somehow new terrain of his body.

She heard him suck in a breath as she traced the lines of his torso her touch light, reverent.

“Fuck, Thorn,” he hissed, his gaze deepening with desire. “I love you too.”

She grinned. “I hope so. I was beginning to wonder. I mean, I know we’re married and all, but?—”

With a growl, he flipped her over and pinned her down on the bed beneath him. She squealed, but he held her firm, and whispered in her ear. “Do you want me to show you how much?”

She nodded, her body weak with longing. She needn’t have worried, their attraction hadn’t died, it was still there, burning brighter than before.

“I can’t hear you.” He was taunting her, and she fucking loved it.

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