Page 117 of Married With Malice

We leave the little family to enjoy some quiet time alone and return to Bright Hearts Ranch where there’s no shortage of chores to keep us busy until nightfall.

On the drive back to the ranch, Peggy is nestled between us in the cab of Sadie’s truck. Luca catches me looking over her head as I watch him. He grins and I’m filled with such a yearning to be with him,reallybe with him, that I can hardly sit still.

My yearning will have to wait. There are dozens of living creatures whose needs must be met before mine. But all day I’m making plans in my head and each time I catch a glimpse of my husband, I feel flushed and giddy at the same time.

It’s after dinner and the sun has long since disappeared when Luca finally conducts the last rounds to check on the animals, ensure that the heaters are working, and lock up. The skies are clear but the temperature is still below freezing and Luca insisted on dealing with all of this himself while I remain in the warm house.

When I finally hear the key turn in the front door, I tiptoe barefoot into the hallway and wait.

Zeus and Apollo, napping on the living room sofa, have grown accustomed to Luca by now. All they do is lazily lift their heads from their paws before settling back down.

There’s a low murmur of voices as Luca looks in on Peggy one last time. Then comes the heavy thud of his boots and the sound of him dropping them by the front door, one after the other.

My eagerness and anticipation kicks into high gear. A rapid pulse beats in my ears and heat crawls up my body even though I’m wearing only a pale pink satin chemise nightie and the house is far from toasty.

Every sound seems amplified and every second stretches too long. Luca double checks the locks. The rustling noise is probably him shrugging out of his coat.

I’m motionless as he turns the corner and stops short. His eyes roam the length of my body, lingering on my bare legs and sweeping back up to my face with a spark of desire.

Why wasn’t I ready with a comment? Something hot and inviting that meets the moment.

Instead, I croak out the word, “Hi” while my back remains flattened against the wall.

Then Luca smiles and the moment turns perfect.

His smile is sunshine landing on frost.

And I melt accordingly.

Luca reaches behind his neck and pulls his hoodie over his head. The black long sleeve shirt underneath is removed next, leaving only his magnificent bare chest.

His eyes lock on mine and his throat bobs as he closes in.

We’re both nervous.

It doesn’t matter that we’ve already had sex dozens of times. We’re very aware this time is different.

“Hey, baby,” he whispers. His arms circle my waist and pull me in.

Slowly, I run my hands over his muscled arms, forever enthralled with the powerful feel of his body. I’ll never want anyone else but him.

My breasts have collided with the solid wall of his chest. The left strap of my nightie slithers from my shoulder.

He tightens his arms around me, making sure I feel him, hard and ready. I press my lips to the center of his chest and revel in his shuddering exhale. My tongue flicks out to taste his skin and he lets out a low, desperate noise that declares his restraint is rapidly disappearing.

I kiss my way up to his collarbone, stretching on tiptoes to reach his neck, running my tongue along the pulse point. He lowers his head and our mouths connect in a heated dance. When I’m lifted up, my legs curl around his waist for the short journey to the bedroom.

Luca kicks the door closed. The nightstand lamp is on and I’m glad I can see him as he sets me down on the bed with care. There’s an almost pained gentleness written on his face, like he wants so badly to keep going slow even though it’s killing him.

Facing him atop the mattress on my knees, my fingers explore the sculpted contours of his chest. He sucks in his breath when I touch his belly and trail lower, tracing the swollen outline of his cock. He surges against my palm and an answering rush of warmth blooms between my legs.

His jeans are unsnapped, unzipped, his boxers dragged down, and then I’m holding him in my hand, stroking the length and teasing the tip with the pad of my thumb until he groans and drops his forehead to mine with a shaky exhale.

I’ve missed feeling him inside me. It’s only been weeks but it feels like forever.

Luca is breathing harder, rapidly reaching the point where he isn’t willing to hold back anymore. I let him hold my arms up so he can slide my nightgown over my head.

He finishes kicking his jeans and boxers off and eases me to my back. My knees instinctively separate to let him in. He lowers himself gently, keeping eye contact, and as much as I want to be even closer, I brace a hand on his chest.

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