“You feel so good,” he moaned. He told her how much he wanted her, needed her, had to have her, and she responded with soft mewls. “Don’t think I’ll ever get enough.”
“Kane.”
“Tink, my Tink.”
His already frenzied rhythm quickened, and when she gave another cry, this one high-pitched and broken, a testament of her release, the pleasure utterly consumed him. He roared with the sublime satisfaction of his.
When the last of his shudders subsided, he collapsed on top of her. Drained. Sated.
Awed.
Panting, she said, “That was...that was...”
“Awesome and wonderful.” He rolled onto his side, freeing her from his weight. “Like you.”
She kissed the hammering pulse at the base of his neck. “No wonder you did it so many times before coming after me.”
No condemnation. Still no judgment. Was there any woman like her? “Sweetheart, nothing has ever compared to this.”
She snuggled against him, a content little kitten, rubbing her cheek against his chest. “Husband?”
Oh, he liked the sound of that. “Yes. Wife.”
“Let’s do it again.”
WHEN MORNING DAWNED, Josephina was once again snuggled against the warmth of Kane’s body. She hadn’t slept, had been too busy marveling. The man wanted by all others wanted her. The man who couldn’t tolerate the touch of others had yearned for hers. Now, he held on to her as if he couldn’t bear to let her go. As if she meant something to him.
What a wonderful life she suddenly lived.
And what a wonderful man at her side. He’d experienced the worst life had to offer, was still hurting inside, might always carry the scars, but he’d turned to her. He’d found a measure of peace with her; she would cherish him all the days of her life.
A strange vibration tickled the skin of her cheek, and she frowned. “What’s happening—”
“It’s from my ring,” Kane said with a sleep-rich rumble. “It’s been bugging me all night, shaking my arm, creating some kind of heat.”
“That’s not exactly normal ring behavior.”
“I know. Apparently, William is some kind of collector, and he was willing to trade this one for a bag of Skittles. Don’t ask me where he found it. I don’t know.”
“Hmm, Skittles,” she said with a moan of longing.
He snorted. “You’d trade your rock for the candy, wouldn’t you? Never mind. Don’t tell me. I’ll only want to Super Glue the thing to your finger.”
She held the ring to the light, the jewel sparkling majestically. “Even though it’s size giant, I won’t take it off.” It was a symbol of their commitment to each other.
He kissed her temple, gentle and sweet and almost boyish. “Are you hungry, wife?”
Wife. Was there a more beautiful word? “I’m starved, actually. Husband.” Oh, yes. That one. She might never get tired of saying it.
“Me, too,” he said, his voice going low, “but I doubt we’re talking about the same thing.”
“Well, are we talking about sex?”
He gave a bark of laughter. “Yeah, but your body needs to heal before that particular appetite can be sated. A fourth time.” He hugged her tight and rolled, then rose from the bed. “Cover those dangerous curves, woman, and I’ll take you to the diner next door.”
“Yes, sir.” Long locks of hair tumbled down her shoulders as she sat up. Her body still ached, and her heart...well, her heart had yet to calm down. In all the futures she’d imagined for herself, she’d never seen one like this.
Muscles flexed as Kane gathered his weapons, his underwear, slacks, and a shirt. His hair was rumpled, his gaze heavy-lidded and sexy. Naked, barefoot, he padded into the bathroom and showered with the door open.
When he emerged on a cloud of steam, wearing the very clothing he’d gathered, he crooked his finger at her. “Your turn.”
The tension he’d sported all these weeks was completely gone.
Smiling, Josephina walked past him—naked. He moaned, his eyes locked on her, as if in pain. She brushed her teeth and showered, then dressed in the hated maid uniform. “I’d rather wear the curtains,” she grumbled as she joined him by the door.
“We’ll go shopping after we eat.”
A short time later, she was sliding into a booth in the back of the diner, Kane across from her. The place was packed with old school charm, the tiled floor black and white, the walls covered with fifties memorabilia.
“Do you have enough money to pay for your breakfast?” Kane asked as he studied the menu.
“No.” He’d left her bag in Séduire.
“I guess you’ll have to find a way to pay me back. Waffles aren’t free.”
“Hey. We’re married. You insisted. That means whatever you have is mine.”
His lips twitched at the corners. “So you now agree that we’re married?”
“Answer a question for me first,” she said, wanting to tease him the way he teased her. “Are you loaded? I mean, the stories say you are, but I just want to be sure before I pledge my life to yours.”
“I’m more than loaded. Torin could turn anyone into a billionaire.”
“I knew there was a reason I liked him. But to answer your question, yes, I agree. Your money and I are one.”
He stopped trying to hide his grin and dazzled her with a display of pearly whites.
I’m so falling for this man.
A waitress wearing a poodle skirt approached their table, making Josephina feel less conspicuous in her gown. The woman had a notepad and pen at the ready.
“Can I take your...uh...” She locked eyes with Kane and her words tapered off. She fluffed her hair. “Hi. I’m Claudia. My friends call me Claude.”
Uncomfortable, he tugged at the collar of his shirt. “We’d like—”
The building began to shake and the patrons to gasp. The ketchup bottle resting on the side of the table shattered, every glass shard arrowing toward Josephina, several even slicing into her arm. Blood beaded over the wounds.
Kane muttered a curse, threw down his menu and stood, pulling Josephina to her feet. “Come on. We need to leave.”
“Disaster?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
“Wait,” the waitress called.
He ignored her. The moment they stepped outside, a car slammed into another car directly in front of them. Impact tore a scrap of metal from the wreckage, tossing it at Josephina’s head. Had Kane not jerked her to the ground, she would have been decapitated. But he did, and the piece cut through the diner window.
Glass shattered. Cars honked. People shouted obscenities. Footsteps pounded as bystanders raced away.
Forcing her to stand, Kane’s grip tightened on her, the pressure almost enough to snap her bones.
“What do you need?” she asked. “How can I help you?”
Silent, he led her inside their hotel. The building was tall and well kept, with plush carpets and pretty paintings on the walls. There was a chandelier overhead, though nothing as grand as those in the Fae palace.
“Kane?”
He remained silent as they stepped into the elevator, strode down the hall and finally entered their room.
“Talk to me, Kane. Please.”
“You’re going to stay here.” There was a grim quality to his voice, and he wouldn’t meet her eyes. “Leave and you’ll regret it. And don’t open the door to anyone. In fact,” he said, withdrawing a gun from the waist of his pants, “do you know how to use one of these?”