Page 49 of Heston
“Ten!” she snapped back at him. Just as he—Oh, God, oh, God—slammed home. Deeper in. Further. All the way. In so deep it burned. His pubic bone hit her pelvic cradle. The stimulation of those rough, coarse hairs nesting his cock was too much. She was almost there. Almost…
Until she slowed her breathing, wanting to last longer than Heston. The sight of his reflection in the window was too precious to miss, this memory a once-in-a-lifetime keeper. Through love-struck eyes, London watched their joined reflection. Heston lifted his handsome face to the rain, his eyes closed with the intensity of his release. His darker, masculine hands clenched her pale, white hips. She watched him bite his bottom lip, how he smiled as he ground his body against her.
London drew in a breath. There he was, her ardent, ferocious lover. Her man. Her dearest companion. Her best friend and the only man in the world she would ever love. The big, brave man who adored her in return. He was gloriously beautiful. Carved out of caramel granite. Perfection in every way. Drenched and dangerous. Vehemently in love with her. A beast undone. Her beast. Her utterly gorgeous, handsome beast.
London’s heart stuttered at the beauty framed in the window. Him behind her, his magnificent male body planted deep into her much smaller body. Protective—always. Strong and devoted—forever. She’d hurt him, yet here he was,worshipping her. Loving her. Forgiving her and giving his everything to her, his heart, his body, and his soul.
The sight of Heston finishing first, pushed London over the edge. He hadn’t done that in all their times together. Had to be the feminine power she held over him tonight. Greedy flames of pleasure burst through her body, scalding her at the same time with his seed and promise and—Heston.
London let go. She planted her soles on the bottom of the tub, arched backward, and let her head fall on his shoulder. His hands tightened into manacles on her hips. His thumbnails were tiny, biting cuffs, cutting crescents into the pillowy tops of her backside. She knew the truth now. He had always loved her. Always believed in her. He’d never let her fall.
The grandest orgasm ripped through her. Brilliantly hot, like a comet, its tail whipped sizzling aftershocks through her core, lighting up every nerve and tiny receptor, clenching every strand of muscle along its path. Laser bright starlight shot from her fingertips. All because he’d reached the pinnacle before her. There was no struggle or contest between them. He’d made her whole again, as he’d poured himself into her emptiness.
London let the truth pour into her. She was enough by herself, but she was a thousand times better with Heston.
Powerful aftershocks rippled through her body, then dissolved into wicked, steamy fragments. Sobs caught in her throat. It was hard to breathe. Hard to do anything but absorb the brilliant liquid golds, bright shiny silvers, red throbbing hearts, and sparkling white ribbons pouring down on her. This wasn’t rain. This was heaven. How did one human vessel hold so much heaven?
A fragment of scripture flashed in the dark like an answer to her question.No greater gift…
It caught her unprepared. Unaware. But it was true, wasn’t it? No man fought harder than a man for his woman, than ahusband for his wife and child. Even when they’d been apart, Heston Contreras had never stopped fighting to keep her and her country safe. He would die for her, simply because that was who he was. He loved her. No greater gift, indeed. The greatest gift a man and woman could give the other. Living and dying for each other. For better or for worse...
“I think we’re already married, Hes,” she whimpered, out of breath and her legs weak, but her vision finally clear. “I think I just did it to us, married us. We did it together, I mean. Together.” She was babbling, and had no idea if what was in her heart could even be translated into words. Only knew that her place had always been at Heston’s side, and today, she’d been given another chance to love him.
He stood at her back, panting like a beast who’d just run—and won—the race of his life. His large body curled protectively over her smaller one. One muscled forearm rested against the sparkling windowpane, the other around her belly. Holding her steady, keeping her shaky legs from collapsing. “Why do you say that?”
“Because,” breathed out of her. “This has to be what heaven feels like. You and me. Where we are right now. Here. Just us and… and I… I love you so much. Never stopped, not even when I was angry with you. There hasn’t been anyone else. There never will be.”
Like the knight in shining armor Heston was and always would be, he lifted her still quivering body into his arms and climbed out of the tub. Tucking her wet head under his chin, he whispered, “I’ve always loved you, London. You’ve been it for me since that first day in Econ 101.”
She closed her eyes, not remembering Econ 101, only the handsome man who’d taken the seat next to her. “It stopped raining,”
“Because I turned the faucet off,” Heston explained as he tossed her a warm fluffy towel. Once they were dry enough, he carried her into his bedroom, tossed the blankets on his bed aside with one hand, and then laid her down.
London looked up at him, her body weak and limp, her bones fluid, and her heart full. There were no words.
He dropped to the floor at her side. “Now about that marriage proposal.”
She knew what he needed to hear. “I’m sorry. I should’ve let you do it, I know it now. You’re the man. Your culture’s big on tradition, and it’s traditional for the man to—”
His index finger landed on her lips. “Shush, babe. Listen a second. Why do you think I’m kneeling?”
“Umm, because that’s the traditional pose for a guy who’s about to… propose? Which you should. I mean, if you want to. I mean—”
He tugged her hand to his mouth and pressed a warm, wet kiss in the center of her palm. “It’s also a damned good position for a man to tell the woman he adores that, yes, babe, I acceptyourproposal. I’ll marry you.” His eyebrows lifted as if he was waiting on her reaction.
She rocketed up onto her elbows. “Really, Hes? You don’t mind that I proposed?”
“You. Me. What’s the difference? As long as we’re together, I don’t think anything else matters. So where’s my ring?” There went those brows again.
Her jaw dropped. “I don’t have a ring. I didn’t think. Oh, no! I should’ve planned better, but—”
Leaning to one side, he pulled the nightstand drawer open and drawled, “This little thing’s been lying around a few years, but I think it’ll fit.” Turning back, Heston took her left hand and slid a brilliant, blue-topaz stone onto her ring finger. Enhancedby a string of white diamonds on the rose-gold band, the oval stone sparkled with fire.
“Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod!” she squealed. It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. “How long have you had this? When did you get it? For me?” Her squeals turned into heartfelt sobs. “You’ve had this a long time, haven’t you? Even when we… Before I…” The word got stuck in her throat. She couldn’t say‘left.’Just. Could. Not.
Pushing her gently to her back, Heston climbed on top of her. With his elbows on the mattress alongside her head and his knees between her legs, he threaded his fingers into her short hair and held onto her. He had her full attention.
All she could do was lick her lips and blink up at him like the fool she’d been. Her heart was breaking. She hadn’t gotten him a ring. Hadn’t gotten him anything. Had only caused him pain. He should hate her. But he didn’t. The evidence was on her finger. He’d had this ring the night she’d left, she knew it. She didn’t deserve it. She’d hurt him too much.
