Big Easy Temptation (The Perfect Gentlemen #3)(118)

Her tears flowed freely. She hadn’t really mourned three years ago, she realized. She’d shoved her pain down and tried to act as if his marriage didn’t matter. Even after pictures of Dax and Courtney had appeared in magazines, she’d shrugged and shoved her hurt deep down.

“You gave her my ring.” She’d hated that.

He stopped and shook his head. “No. I did not. Holland, sweetheart, why would you think that?”

“You had it in your pocket when you left that day.”

He dragged her into his arms, his warm skin surrounding her. “And it stayed there. Even when I was drunk off my ass, I was smart enough to stop at a jeweler and buy her ring because the family ring was meant for you, not anyone else. Look at the nightstand.”

She glanced over his shoulder and there sat a red velvet box. Her ring. “You brought it.”

“Yes,” he whispered into her ear. “I’ll carry it around until you say yes and let me slide it on your finger, which is where it has always belonged.”

She breathed him in and made her choice. She couldn’t make any other choice. He was the love of her life.

“Make love to me, Dax.”

“I will never refuse that command. Holland, are you on the pill? Because if you aren’t, I’m going to have to sneak out and scrounge up some condoms from god knows where.”

She had to laugh at the idea of Dax running to the Secret Service to ask for condoms. It would be a very Perfect Gentlemen thing to do. Her body heated at the thought of not wearing any protection beyond her four-times-a-year shot. “We’re covered. I also had a checkup and I’m perfectly clean.”

She let her hands roam over his skin. There was something sexy about him being naked while she was clothed. He was here for her pleasure. Her comfort and protection, too, but tonight was definitely going to be about pleasure.

“I haven’t had sex with anyone else in a year,” he admitted. “I’m clean. Can I take you, sweetheart? Nothing between us. I’ll be faithful to you. For the rest of my life. I don’t want another woman. Only you.”

“A year?” It was inconceivable. Dax had a crazy sex drive. He would be on her at least twice a day. He was always trying to get inside her.

“Yes. After we split up, I only slept with one woman and only a handful of times.”

“Courtney.” It was easier to say her name now. They would never be friends again, but some of the toxic feelings had faded. That was a relief, because there had been pain on all sides.

“Yes.”

“You didn’t cheat on her?”

“No. I was cheating on you. That’s the hard truth. I know that’s my true sin.”

She forgave him, finally and fully. “Don’t do it again.”

His eyes were solemn as he lowered his head. “Never. I’m yours. Everything I am and everything I have is all for you.”

She bridged the slight distance between them, rising up on her toes to press her mouth to his. Passion flared, hot and quick. But it had always been that way between them. All she had to do was think about him and her body softened for him.

She kissed him, covering his mouth and tangling her tongue with his. He granted entry, pulling her against the hard length of his body. He was so warm, her man. It was right this time and she intended to stay with him for the rest of her life.

Their tongues played, gliding along each other in a silky slide. Her hands explored the strong muscles of his back. She let them slide down to his backside and cupped him, rubbing her body against his. His cock reacted, twitching between them.

“You’re going to kill me tonight, aren’t you?” Dax smiled as he kissed her nose and cheeks.

“I’m going to take what’s mine.” He was her man and she would have him any way she wanted him.

They would always have this push and pull. Giving and taking. When he needed control, she would yield to him, but on nights like this, she would take him and show him what it meant to be her man.

He shuddered. “I’m yours. You should definitely claim me. Otherwise, I’m going to be very lonely. I’ll sit outside your door just wearing nothing. It could cause a scandal.”

She couldn’t have that. “Get on the bed, Captain.”

He stepped back, giving her a spectacular view of his sculpted chest, not to mention that monster cock that stood at attention. “Your wish, my command.”

His stare never wavered as he spread his big body across the mattress. All that delicious, gorgeous man was laid out for her delectation.

This was the rest of her life. All she had to do was say yes and they could love and live and play together. They could have a family. They could have a whole life of adventure.

She watched him as she unbuttoned her blouse and let it fall to the side. “I love you, Dax. It’s always been you. I was afraid. I still am, but I’m not going to walk away this time.”

“You’ve got nothing to be afraid of.” He held out a hand as she slipped out of her shoes and slid her slacks to the floor. “I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure you’re safe and happy. It’s all I want.”

“All?” She had to ask because one specific part of him looked as if he wanted more.

“Semantics,” he replied. “Love and happiness is what I want to share with you. And that gorgeous body on top of mine? Yes, I want that from you, too. God, you’re beautiful.”