Heart of the Devil (The Forge Trilogy #3)(19)

We both dry ourselves, and I follow him into the bedroom. When I stop by the bed, I turn to face him, my emotions raw. I drop the towel, baring myself to him, revealing a woman who needs to be reassured by the touch of her man.

“I need you. My hands on your body. Your taste on my lips. Your breath against my skin. I need to feel you. Feel that you’re safe and everything’s going to be okay.” The words tumble out of me, and I don’t even know if they make sense.

Jericho’s gaze heats, and he strides toward me. On his face, I see the same ragged emotions reflected—lust, longing, and possessiveness. “Whatever you need, I’ll give it to you.”

“No, I want to give it to you.”

He crosses the room and delves his hands into my hair, skimming them down my back as I memorize every plane of his body with my palms. Skin to skin, we slant our lips against each other’s. One step at a time, I turn us until Jericho’s legs hit the mattress.

His darkened gray gaze lifts to mine as I urge him to sit. His hands circle my waist as he brings me closer until I’m straddling his legs.

“The only thing I wanted was to get back to you. That’s all that mattered.” Jericho’s voice is hoarse, and my heart clenches as I lower my forehead to his.

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t have done to get you back. Nothing.”

Moving slowly, I press kiss after kiss on his forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, and finally, his mouth again. Damp locks of my hair trail over his skin, and I lose track of time as I memorize his face with my lips.

When his grip tightens, I stare down into dark gray eyes filled with the same desperation overwhelming me.

“I need my wife.”

“Yes,” I whisper, my voice ragged and raw.

His hands close over my upper arms, and he guides me until his cock slides between the slick folds of my pussy. “You feel that? I’m real. Alive. And yours. Take me. I need to be inside you.”

“God, yes.” There’s nothing I’d rather do more than worship him. Show him how much I love him.

Shifting on his hips, I slide against him, positioning the head against my entrance. His muscles twitch beneath me, and his reaction urges me on.

My tongue slides along his earlobe, and he inhales a sharp breath.

“You’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”

Covered in the stubble he can never seem to be rid of, his shadowed jaw shifts.

“You’re far and away the most gorgeous and incredible woman I’ve ever known. I—”

“This is about you. Not me.” I push down, taking half his cock inside me.

“I don’t deserve you, Indy. Not for one single second.” Jericho’s words come out strangled.

“But you’ve got me anyway.” I slide down the rest of the way, taking him balls deep.

His hand fists my damp hair, and his groans are music to my ears. He moves back on the bed until I’m kneeling over him.

“You’re so fucking beautiful.” He reaches up to stroke his knuckles along my cheek. “Ride me, Indy.”

“It would be my pleasure.”

I rise up and push down again, reveling in the ribbons of exquisite sensation that flutter through my body as his thick cock stretches me. There’s nothing between us . . . except my fear that he’ll never love me like I love him.

I can make him love me. I can.

With every shift of my hips, I focus on his beautiful face and heavy-lidded stare.

He’s my everything.

My head rolls from side to side, and Jericho’s nostrils flare as he lowers his back to the bed.

“Closer. I need you closer.” His palms slide around me, urging me down until I’m flush against his body. His fingers cradle the back of my head until his lips crush against my mouth.

“You’re mine, Indy. Mine.”

Lifting his hips, he powers into me from below, and each stroke sends me closer to the edge. My fingers curl the sheets as he grips my ass with his other hand, angling my hips so he can go deeper, with the possessiveness I crave.

The words I’ve been holding back bubble to my lips as my control snaps and my orgasm bears down.

“Jericho—”

He throws his head back and roars my name before I can say I love you.





16





Forge





Indy drifts off to sleep after I clean her up. From the doorway of the bathroom, I stare at the woman in my bed. The one I don’t deserve. The one I’ll never deserve.

I’ve never cared about the methods I used to acquire anything in my life. The ends have always justified the means. But this time, I fucking care.

She gave me a gift tonight, and what have I given her in return?

Manipulation. Hidden truths. Enemies.

I fucked up. I thought I could control everything, and I was wrong.

After dressing, I slip out of the bedroom and head to my office. Indy will sleep for hours with the dark curtains blocking the already rising sun, but there’s no chance of rest for me. I don’t deserve that either. Not until I have answers.

Federov’s words haunt me as I shut the door soundlessly and make my way to the desk. Yuri Pallovich’s wallet lays open on the wood, mocking me. Telling me I fucked up. I shouldn’t have ever allowed Indy to be in danger. That’s on me, and I’ll never forgive myself for it.