Page 64 of Jack

"Say it."

"I can't," his voice was atortured whisper. "I cannot be in a relationship." His bodywas tensed. "I will make a lousy partner. I cannot do this."

"Turn around." Her voice waspersuasive and without thinking, he did as she suggested. The look onher exquisite face had him going weak. He literally felt the rest ofthe ice that had formed around his heart melting along with it, thedefenses he had stacked against ever feeling anything. Almost againsthis will, his hands came up to cup her face. To his surprise, he sawthat his fingers were unsteady.

"I love you," she whisperedhuskily. "I know it's new to you and I don't need you to say itback, until you're ready. But I love you and I am here. I wanteverything darling. To be with you for the rest of our lives. Be amother to Jason and hopefully have more children. I want marriage-"She paused when he jolted, fingers tightening on her face. "YesJack. I want it all, everything."

"I can't-" His breath tumbledinside his chest when her hands came up to curve around his wrists.

"Take me to bed. And when you'refinished making love to me, tell me again."

His eyes darkened and turned turbulent.Without another word, he swept her up and into the bedroom. Layingher down, he stepped back. Keeping his eyes on hers, hequicklyundressed down to skin. He was fully aroused, his body primed andready for her. He had lasted a little less than a week, because ofstubborn pride and was ready to devour her.

"No," he shook his head, when shestarted to take off her clothes. "Let me."

Her eyes were trained on his face as hegently took off her shirt. "I missed you," he admittedroughly. Easing away the shirt and flipping the clasp of the braopen, he gazed down at the flawless skin, the nipples already rigid.

"I could not do anything. I need you."It was the most difficult thing for him to admit.

"Jack."

Her voice jolted him and had his eyesflying to her face.

"I am flawed." He peeled off thedenims and the scrap of lace. "I will hurt you." Hisfingers trembled as they trailed over her quivering stomach. "I'mafraid I will be like him."

She covered his hands with hers and stoppedtheir wandering.

"I am not fragile."

"You don't understand-"

She shook her head. "Shh."Pulling him on top of her, she silenced him with her lips.

A groan left his mouth. The kiss was slowand lazy, as if they had all the time in the world. His body meltedon hers, skin meeting skin. Sighs escaped them as they pouredeverything into the kiss. His hands gripped her hair, twisting thestrands around his fingers.

For the first time in his life, he felt thepeace settling over him. His body was throbbing, heart pounding, buthe felt at home as if he belonged. Nothing else mattered. Not thepast that had been instrumental in shaping his life. Everythingmelted away, until there was nothing but her. Her perfume, the tasteof her lips, the feel of her slender curves. They all encompassed himand wrapped him in such a cocoon of safety, one that he could notbelieve.

Her hands came around his neck, body movingagainst his. He had wanted to prolong the moment, take his time withher. But it had to be now.

Reaching between them, he guided himselfinto her and had to take a minute to acknowledge the shatteringeffect of being inside her.

Ending the kiss, he framed her face withgentle hands, his expression unbelievably tender. "I love you,"he whispered hoarsely. "I have never loved anyone before andI-"He shook his head. "I don't know what to do about it. Don'tcry." He felt his heartstrings bursting. "I cannot standit."

"Happy tears," she assured him,her own heart shattering into pieces. "Was it so hard?"

He had to laugh, the tension dissolving. Hewas inside her, driven to distraction with the need to consume herand he was laughing. That had never happened to him before.

"Not so much." Bending, hebrushed her lips with his. "I love you." Suddenly, he couldnot stop saying it. Raining kisses over her face, he started to move.The momentum built, until they were desperate for each other. Hetried to slow things down, but it was too late. His control snapped.

He swallowed her cries as the violentclimax smashed into her body and had her body arching against his. Hefollowed soon after, pouring himself into her, his body jerking withthe force of his own climax.

He was still shuddering, his body collapsedon top of her, heart thundering. It took him several moments for himto move.

"No," she imprisoned him with herlegs and arms.

"I'm crushing you," he murmuredgruffly. "You're so tiny."

"Strong," she corrected him,fingers stroking his sweat slicked skin. "And I want you righthere."

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