Page 40 of Breaker

Dread let himself out and I stood. Juniper watched me head toward the bathroom, but she didn’t follow. I washed as quickly as I could, then went to join her in the living room. She’d already selected a movie and had it all set. Once I settled on the couch beside her, she pushed PLAY and curled into my side.

The movie hadn’t been on fifteen minutes before she shifted, looking at me intently. I hit PAUSE and turned to face her. “What’s wrong?”

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice soft and sweet. “For everything. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

I brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, my touch lingering on her cheek. “You never have to worry about that, darlin’. I’m here for you, always.”

A soft smile graced her lips, and she leaned into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment. When she opened them again, there was a new intensity in her gaze, a spark that ignited a fire deep within me.

“Teller,” she breathed, my name a prayer on her lips. “I… I need you.”

Those three simple words held a world of meaning, a plea for comfort, for connection, for the love we both so desperately craved. I leaned in closer, my forehead resting against hers, our breaths mingling in the space between us.

“I’m right here, Juniper. I’ll always be right here.”

“That’s not what I meant,” she said softly.

Not needing to hear anything further, I captured her lips with mine, pouring every ounce of love and devotion I had into the kiss. Her arms wound around my neck, pulling me closer, deepening the connection between us. In that moment, everything else faded away -- the pain of the past, the uncertainty of the future -- all that mattered was the feeling of her in my arms, the taste of her on my tongue, the love that burned bright between us.

As we lost ourselves in each other, I knew I had found my home, my purpose, my reason for being. Juniper was my everything, and I would spend the rest of my days proving to her just how much she meant to me, one kiss, one touch, one moment at a time.

I wanted to pick her up and carry her off to the bedroom, but I knew I couldn’t. Instead, I stood and held my hand out to her. She gave me a warm smile and took it, letting me lead her into the bedroom. It had been mine before she came here, and now it would beours.

“Are you sure?” I asked. “I mean really sure? Because I can wait longer if I need to. We have the rest of our lives together.”

“When I was with my uncle and I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again, there was one thing I regretted. I never told you how much I love you, or that I’m ready to have a real marriage with you. I want it all, Teller.”

“I want that too,” I murmured, then kissed her again. I backed her against the bed and she tumbled to the mattress. Before following her down, I stripped out of my clothes. I saw the way her cheeks heated as her gaze roamed over me. “I’ll be gentle.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want you to hold back. I promise I won’t break.”

“Darlin’, you’ve been through a lot. Not to mention this is your first time. I want things to be as perfect as possible. It’s bad enough I’m all banged up.”

She reached up and placed her fingers over my lips to shush me. “Itwillbe perfect because it’s us. All I need is you, Teller. Whatever that entails.”

I swallowed hard, touched by her trust in me. A woman who had never been given a reason to trust another human being, not since losing her parents, had not only given me her heart but all of her, and I’d make damn sure she never regretted it.

Slowly, I undressed her, savoring every second. I’d never met a more beautiful woman. Logically, I knew she wasn’t movie star gorgeous, but to me, she outshone them all by far. In my eyes, she was a goddess.

Kissing her softly, I settled my weight over her, making sure not to crush her. My senses were heightened and focused entirely on my wife. I barely noticed the pain from where I’d been stabbed and shot, much less the few blows Robert Murray had managed to land when we’d fought in the woods.

Juniper responded so sweetly, arching into me, and wrapping an arm around my neck, as if she were afraid I’d leave if she didn’t hold on. I trailed kisses down her throat and between her breasts, scooting farther down the bed. My gaze locked with hers as my lips closed around her hard nipple. She gasped, but it quickly changed to a moan.

I took my time, lavishing attention on first one and then the other, not stopping until she was begging me. I reached between us, my hand slipped between her thighs. Cupping her pussy, I could feel how wet she was, how ready. I brushed my thumb across her clit, and she cried out as she tossed her head back and closed her eyes. It only took two strokes before she was coming.

I watched her, memorizing everything about the moment. Her first of many orgasms. The flush on her cheeks spread down her neck and onto her chest. Her lips parted slightly, and she panted. When she opened her eyes, the dreamy look she gave me told me she was ready for more.

As much as I wanted to hold back, to make things last longer, I knew I couldn’t. I’d needed her for too long. “I’m sorry, Juni. It’s going to be quicker than I’d like. Been too long.”

“Just shut up and make me yours already,” she said.

I smiled, loving this side of her. “Yes, ma’am.”

I kissed her once more as my hips settled against hers. Rocking against her, I coated my cock in her cream. Then I slowly sank into her. She inhaled sharply, and I knew it had to hurt at least a little. I didn’t stop until I’d entered her fully, then I gave her a moment to adjust.

“You all right?” I asked.

“Better than. Don’t stop, Teller.”

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