Into the Light (The Light, #1)(73)

“Is there anything else?”

Her lip blanched as she concentrated. “I think I fell asleep during Father Gabriel’s teaching. I didn’t mean to,” she added quickly. “It’s that we woke early.”

I couldn’t stop the smile that crept across my face at her childlike honesty. I kissed the top of her head. “That would make four, unless you have more to add.”

Her hand flinched in mine at the number four. I knew what she was thinking: four transgressions equaled twenty lashes. Releasing one hand, I led her toward the stairs. “Let’s go upstairs.”

She didn’t fight or beg; instead her shoulders sagged and she willingly walked toward our room. As we reached the top step, Sara said, “Jacob . . .”

“Yes?”

“I understand why you’re doing what you’re doing. I’m not asking for leniency, but I want you to know how truly sorry I am.”

The redness on her cheeks and neck had nearly faded.

“Sara, it’s time to prepare.”

Nodding, she sat on the bed and removed her boot. When she stood and her black-and-white-striped skirt fell to the floor, I marveled at her calm. It was as Father Gabriel taught: once she’d given her transgressions to me, they were no longer her concern. As she pulled her sweater over her head, my pretense disappeared.

My gaze roamed her beautiful body, covered only by her bra and panties. The last remaining evidence of her accident was her cast. Other than that, her flawless skin glowed under our bedroom lights. I stepped closer, wanting to brush her arms as I had her sleeves, needing to touch her.

This time she didn’t step away; instead her face inclined as my chest met hers.

“Though your answer won’t change my decision, I want to know”—my arms ached to hold her, yet remained still as I completed my question—“do you believe you deserve correction?”

After only a moment’s hesitation, she replied, “I love and trust you. If it’s your wish, I accept it. If you choose otherwise, I’ll accept that too.”

My arms no longer obeyed. They wrapped around her and pulled her to me. With my lips against her hair, I said, “I had no intention of punishing you.” She melted into me. Lifting the tips of her hair, I continued, “This wasn’t supposed to happen. It wasn’t Father Gabriel’s decree. You’ve had enough reminding for one day. My dearest wife, I don’t think you need any more. Do you?”

Moving her head from side to side against my chest, she said, “Thank you. I’m still very sorry.”

As I lifted her chin, my body ached for her. “No more apologies. You were wronged; you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“But—”

I brushed my lips against hers to stop her rebuttal. However, instead of stilling her words, the connection served as a release. The desire I’d kept corralled for too long raged like a wildfire. Its flames consumed any remaining semblance of willpower. My grasp moved to the back of her neck. Only briefly did I think about the long blonde locks that were no longer there. They didn’t matter. My only thought, my only need, was to get closer to Sara, to feel her warmth beneath me, to take what God and Father Gabriel had given to me. To please her in the way I’d never done.

Moans filled our room as she pressed her body toward mine and began undoing the buttons of my shirt.

Though I ached at the confinement of my jeans, I wouldn’t hurt her any more, not today, not after all she’d been through. “Sara, what about your ribs?”

Sliding my shirt over my shoulders, she reached for the hem of the thermal beneath. “Please, Jacob.” Once she’d stripped my chest, her petite hands roamed my shoulders, arms, and torso, seeing what her eyes couldn’t.

I unfastened her bra and gently pulled it away, freeing her small breasts. As I palmed one of them, her nipple beaded, and I decided their size was perfect. Holding her hips tightly against me, I bent down and sucked the hardened nipple. Her whimpers encouraged me as she wove her fingers through my hair.

It was as she reached for the buckle of my belt that I regained a small bit of control. Stopping her hands, I said, “Sara.”

“Please let me unbuckle it. I want to associate your belt with more than pain.”

Fuck!

I released her hands and watched as she unlatched it, pulled it from the loops, and dropped it to the floor. Her smile melted my heart while at the same time sending more blood to my already engorged erection. It wasn’t until she released the button and zipper of my jeans that I sprung from the confines of my boxer shorts.

“Oh, Jacob,” she purred as she grasped my width and ran her hand along my length. My heartbeat soared when she dropped to her knees.

“God, you’re amazing,” I remarked, “but I want you to stand.” Reaching for her hands, I helped her up. As she stood, our lips collided and our tongues danced. “Trust me, I’d love that, but I need to be inside of you. It’s been so long; I don’t think I could hold back.”

Her grin was the trigger to my explosion. I’d never make it in her sexy mouth. Taking her hand, I led her to the bed and removed my boots. In record time I littered the floor with my clothes.

“Now,” I said with a smirk as I turned toward Sara.

Her chest rose and fell in anticipation as she scooted back against the pillows.