Page 28 of The Irresistible Warrior
He chuckled deeply. “What I’m thinking I want to do with you has nothing to do with gratitude.”
Her cheeks flamed red. “That could be because I am the first woman who has been able to stand upright in front of you in some time.”
“I don’t believe so, since right now I’d rather you be on your back with me on top of you.”
She glanced at the bed and moved away from it. “It is nothing more than a need that requires satisfying.”
“Then tell me why you feel it as well?” he challenged.
Aura had been trying to ignore it, but unsuccessfully. The tingle along her flesh, the quiet throb between her legs, and an urge far stronger than she had ever felt. She felt as he did, only she didn’t admit it.
“I can see the passion spark in your eyes, and it sparks within me as well. Let’s seal our marriage vows and commit to each other and build a good life together.”
It was crazy and yet it felt so right that he would fight for it, fight to keep her as his wife.
“Maybe you are the one who had too much wine,” she said, thinking this was nothing more than madness and if she surrendered to it, tomorrow he could regret it.
“Nay, I have never been clearer on something I want, and I want you.”
“Tomorrow may bring re?—”
“No regrets only the start of our future together.” He went to her, his arm hooking her around the waist and pulling her up against him. “No more thoughts. No more explanations. No excuses. No wasting time. We seal our vows. Commit to each other. And join as one never to be parted.”
Only love could make such a strong commitment, never to be parted, and it told her all she needed to know.
“Never to be parted,” she said with a nod, accepting his commitment, accepting the chance at love.
CHAPTER 12
Joy filled Declan and it was easy to see with the grin that spread across his face. He didn’t know what it was about Aura that tugged at his heart and stirred his passion, and it didn’t matter to him. The only thing that mattered was that she was his wife and would stay his wife. Women could keep falling at his feet for all he cared, he had the woman he wanted, the woman he loved.
Aura went and took hold of her nightdress on the bed. “If you give me a moment of privacy…”
He went to her and snatched it from her hand to toss it aside. “I don’t want anything between us when we make love. I want you naked so I can feel all of you, touch every part of you, kiss every part of you… love every part of you.”
He did have a way of leaving her speechless and that he wanted to love every part of her did just that. She had no words for him.
“And I want you to do the same with me. I don’t expect you, my wife, to submit to me… my hope is that you will freely touch me, kiss me, love me whenever it pleases you.”
The thought that she could be that free with him brought a smile to her face. “So, I can kiss you whenever I like?”
“Aye, I look forward to it.”
“And I can demand that you bed me whenever I like?” She scrunched her brow. “No matter how often that is?”
He chuckled. “I’m counting on very often.”
She went to say more, but he pressed his finger to her lips and silenced her.
“We have time for questions later. Right now, I want nothing more than for us to make love and seal our vows.”
Aura stepped away from him and eager, though anxious, she began to shed her garments.
Declan didn’t hesitate…. he did the same. He rushed his garments off and went to Aura to help with the last of hers, since she had stopped when he was completely naked to stare at him.
Aura froze as she watched her husband stride toward her… naked. He not only had the finest of features she had ever seen on a man, but his body was just as beautiful. And that caused her to suddenly feel vulnerable. She, by no means, possessed such fine attributes.
He stopped in front of her, concerned, the pleasure that was only moments ago sparking in her eyes gone.
