Fever (Breathless #2)(92)

His lips twisted ruefully. “You have me there. And you’re right. For me it was enough to see it around your neck and for me to know what it meant. But you’re correct. It could never mean what it should until you recognized and accepted its true meaning.”

“It’s important to you,” she said, not as a question but as a statement of fact.

He nodded. “It is. But perhaps not for the reasons you think. It’s not that I’m this ass**le who has to mark you as a possession. The simple truth is I like seeing it around your neck because I gave it to you and it’s a symbol of your gift to me.”

Her eyes widened. “I hadn’t considered it from that perspective.”

He smiled. “No, you’re still convinced that you give me nothing, that you have nothing to give. But that’s not true, baby. You’ve given me the most precious gift I’ll ever receive. Yourself.”

Tears glittered brightly in her fierce blue eyes. Then to his surprise, she reached back to unfasten the choker. She let it slide from her neck and then held it out to him.

Panic took hold and he stared wordlessly back at her. Was she rejecting it?

“I didn’t know what it meant before,” she said, still holding the choker out to him. “I want you to put it on when we both know what it means.”

His chest nearly exploded as it tightened and swelled. His hand shook when he took it from her fingers. He pushed himself upright to his knees and then he said, “Get on your knees, baby. Kneel for me here on the bed.”

She positioned herself in front of him, so achingly beautiful with her tousled hair and sleepy eyes. Eyes that were full of something he didn’t dare hope for. Love.

He held the choker so she could see it spread in his hands. Then he met her gaze.

“Will you wear my collar, Bethany? It’s not only a symbol of my possession. It’s a symbol of your gift to me but also my gift to you. I will absolutely cherish and protect you. See that your every need is met. Your body will be mine, but mine will also be yours. I will love and adore you with everything that is me.”

“Yes. Oh, Jace, yes,” she breathed.

He slipped the choker once more around her neck. It was all the more sweet this time because as she’d said, now she knew its significance. She accepted it and him. Could he possibly ask for more than this?

He fastened it and then ran his fingers around to the front, touching the diamond teardrop so it dangled just so. Then he leaned down and claimed her mouth, his tongue finding hers in a heated rush that made him dizzy.

“I love you, Bethany.”

“Jace!”

But he wouldn’t allow her to cry. Not in his bed and not while he held her. He wanted only her happiness and as long as he had the power to keep those tears at bay, he’d do so.

“Make love with me, baby. Again and again. This time with us both knowing that you belong to me heart and soul.”

Her arms wrapped around his neck and she pulled him toward her until she folded beneath him, falling back on the mattress. He went with her, pushing her firmly into the bed, his mouth devouring hers, his body covering hers.

“Never felt like this for a woman,” he murmured against her skin. “Never before. Never will again.”

“Jace,” she whispered, a husky catch in her voice. “Love me. Please.”

“I do. I will. Love you. You never have to ask for that, baby. It’s yours. I’m yours. That’s never going to change.”

He kissed his way down to her br**sts, tonguing one nipple into a rigid peak before turning his attention to the other. He licked and then sucked, loving the excited hum that emanated from her. Her entire body went taut beneath him and she arched into his mouth.

Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling and then holding him firmly against her breast.

He smiled. “My baby likes that?”

She groaned. “The only thing I love more is when you have your mouth down . . . there.”

Still adorably shy. He loved that about her. How hesitant she was when it came to telling him her wants and needs.

“Never let it be said I didn’t make every effort to satisfy my woman,” he purred as he moved down her body.

He spread her thighs, opening her sweet pu**y to his gaze. He traced a finger down the delicate folds, opening her wider so he had access to the swollen, pink flesh. It glistened with her moisture and his dick went even harder as he imagined her taste on his tongue.

He licked roughly, swiping the entire pad of his tongue over her entrance and up to her clit. He swirled delicately around the velvety nub and then carefully pulled it between his lips with a light sucking motion.

She bucked beneath him, arching, her fingers diving into his hair to hold him in place. He feasted on her. Eating, licking, sucking, sliding his tongue inside her, f**king her with liquid strokes.

He couldn’t get enough. He’d never have enough of her taste, the sensation of her, silky and sweet against his lips. He loved how she trembled beneath his touch, her little gasps and breathy sighs. Never had he imagined being so gutted over a woman. He hadn’t lied when he’d told Bethany that she held immense power over him. Far greater power than he’d ever wield over her. Because without her, he had nothing.

Without her, his money, wealth, prestige, none of it meant a damn thing. She didn’t believe herself worthy of him because he had material things she didn’t. But what she gave him was sweeter, was without price or measure.