Page 14 of The Calm Before the Storm (The Bridge Kingdom 3.50)

Aren’s jaw was tight, the muscles in his face standing out in the moonlight as he said, “Do you still believe that?”

“No.” She gave a sharp shake of her head. “Seeing my sister Sarhina pregnant vanquished that thought from my head. She was as strong as she’d ever been while pregnant, possibly even stronger. And though she was cautious and careful, being pregnant did not limit her. Nor did her husband Ansel try to use the baby to control her.”

Her chin quivered, her eyes burning as tears formed. “I believed at that point that you’d hate me forever and I was haunted by visions of what might have been if I had been entirely honest about the actions I’d taken. Dreams of us together and happy, and after seeing my sister with child, those dreams changed to include that blessing.”

Tears were pouring down her cheeks now, entirely beyond her control, because not only was she feeling the grief ofnow,she was feeling the grief ofthen.“I do want us to have a child together, Aren. In my vision of us happy, there is a child, but that vision will never come to be if I use the baby as a tool. To protect myself and win the acceptance of our people by providing them an heir, rather than earning it with actions and deeds.”

Aren was quiet for a long moment. “You will never earn the acceptance of all our people, Lara. It’s just not possible, and I hate that you would deny yourself what you want because of it.”

“I knowallis impossible.” She wiped the tears from her face, sucking in a ragged breath. “You asked me why I wanted to remain in Ithicana, and the reason is that my dream of a happy future ishere.But I need the chance to earn that future.”

“I think you have earned it,” he said quietly. “I also understand that it’s not about howIfeel but howyoufeel, and I respect that.”

Relief flooded her, but before she could say anything, Aren set a small sea sponge on the table. “When the storm broke, Jor and I went diving with a particular catch in mind. He said you would know what to do with it.” Aren hesitated, then added, “Not that you have to, but this gives you the choice.”

Lara stared at the sponge, emotion filling her with such intensity that she could scarcely breathe.

“I’ll let you finish eating,” he said, rising to his feet and taking a few steps away. “I…”

Lara snatched up the sponge and threw herself at him. Aren caught her, but before he could say anything, she kissed him. Hard and fierce enough that their teeth clacked together, her fingers digging into the muscles of his shoulders. “Take me to bed,” she breathed between kisses. “I want you. I need you.”

“Lara, are you—”

“Enough talking.” She bit his bottom lip, relishing his groan, then said, “I’ve had enough goddamned talking.”

For once, he didn’t argue. A few quick steps had them at the bed, and he lowered her down, the sheets cold against her back. He caught hold of the tie on her wrap, slowly unfastening the knot and then drawing the sides of the garment wide before straightening. His eyes roved over her body, and Lara curled her toes, the naked lust in his eyes fueling her own desire.

“You are so beautiful.” His voice was a growl. “The world pales in your presence.”

Giving him a devilish smile, she parted her knees and put the sponge where it needed to be, Mistress Mezat’s training of her and her sisters in the Red Desert once again serving her well. “I said, no more talking.”

He grinned, and it was all teeth. Pulling off his tunic, he unbuckled his belt, weapons falling to the ground with a clank for the second time today. Kicking off his boots, he slowly drew down his trousers, and it was her turn to stare.

Lifting one leg, she pressed her naked foot to his chest, holding him in place as she took her time luxuriating in the perfection of his body. Taller than most men, and broad, every muscle was thick and hard, not a spare ounce of flesh to disguise it. His skin, tanned dark by endless hours in the sun, was marked by as many scars as her own. Badges of honor earned in the defense of his kingdom, and she caught her bottom lip in her teeth, wanting to trail her tongue over each of them.

His dark gaze fixed on her mouth, and he pressed against her foot, fingers curling and uncurling. Nearly at his breaking point.

She fully intended to push him past it.

Running her eyes down his chest and over the sharply defined muscles of his stomach, she let her gaze settle on his cock, as large as the rest of him. Already hard, the tip glistened, and she kept her gaze on it as she trailed a finger down between her breasts, over her navel, and between her legs. Allowing her eyes to drift up to his, she slowly circled her clit with her index finger, a soft moan exiting her lips as she heard his breath turn ragged.

Aren cracked.

Grabbing her ankle, he pulled it out of the way, his hand slipping up her calf as he caught hold of her other leg and pulled her thighs wide. In one thrust, he was inside of her, and Lara sobbed with pleasure as he plunged in and out of her, the headboard slamming against the wall. So many weeks since they’d been together like this, and before that, longer weeks still.

She needed this. Needed him. Needed for them to be together in every way possible, because Aren was hers. Her king, her husband, her life.

Her nails raked down his back and she wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling him deeper with each thrust.

“I love you.” He kissed her hard, biting at her lip. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

Her eyes burned even as her pleasure ratcheted higher, each of his thrusts stroking over her exactly right, because Arenknewher. Every inch of her, inside and out.

The climax took her hard and fast, rolling over her in waves and pulling him with her. He shouted her name, burying his face into her neck as he thrust one last time, a flood of heat filling her. His weight came down, his chest against hers, hearts thundering in unison.

Slowly, their breathing steadied, and Aren lifted himself up on one elbow to kiss her. “You all right, love?”

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