Bound by Bliss (Bound and Determined #2)(113)

“Is not my pleasure your pleasure?” He stilled, his eyes seeking hers, seeking the answer to his question. “And I think if you are patient, your pleasure will come. Don’t you, my love?” he whispered against her skin, his breath a cooling wind over her hot damp skin.

He’d called her “my love,” and for the second time. Despite all the wonders running through her body her mind stopped and caught his words. Did he mean anything by them? “You said that before,” she said.

“Said what?” His head lifted and she could tell he’d sensed her sudden distraction.

“You called me your love.”

“Yes.”

“Just yes?”

He leaned back, his eyes catching hers and holding them. “I am not sure what you want me to say.”

“Do you mean it?”

He continued to stare down at her.

“Do you mean that I am your love?” she asked when he did not answer.

He blinked. “Of course I mean it.” He lowered his head again, nuzzling at the side of her breast.

It was hard to breathe. He meant it. How could he possibly mean it? “What do you mean you mean it? You can’t love me.” The fear began to build again.

He raised his head again. “I don’t know why you seem surprised. Why do you think I wanted to marry you?”



“For the land. Oh, don’t roll your eyes. I know it wasn’t the land. I guess I’ve never quite understood why you wanted to marry me. Maybe I thought I was the easy choice.”

He muffled a laugh against her breast, the vibrations running through her, straight to her core.

“Fine. I am not easy. I never pretended to be. I just don’t see why else you would want to marry me.” Could he hear the nerves in her voice? And what did she want? She didn’t know which terrified her more, that he would love her—or that he didn’t.

Pushing up on his arms, Stephan rolled to the side and stared up at the canopy, his voice serious. “I married you because I love you. I suppose I’ve loved you as long as I can remember. I know I never considered marrying anyone else since you planted the idea in my mind when you were twelve. I am trying to decide if I am insulted that you did not realize it. Although you probably did and just pushed it back in your mind.” He rolled back and stared at her. “I do know how the idea of love terrifies you. And I can’t believe we are discussing this now. No, not easy, indeed.”

Was she terrified of his love? Bliss let her eyes drift closed and considered the question. The answer had always been yes, but now, lying by Stephan’s side, the answer was not so easy. The fear was there and yet she felt warm inside, safe, protected—and free. Love was a trap and yet Stephan’s words freed something within her, or perhaps allowed her to free it. If he loved her then…The anxiety that had gripped her began to release its hold.



It was all too much to think about.

She opened her eyes and stared up at the underside of the canopy. “You love me.” She said it simply, as a fact.

“Yes.”

She pulled in a deep breath, letting her breasts rise up, watched as his eyes tracked the movement. “Then I suppose we should get on with this bedding thing. It would be rather embarrassing to still be virgin at sunrise.” Did he hear all she did not put into words?

He chuckled. “I do believe I can promise that will not be the case.” He rolled back toward her, his lips finding her nipple and beginning to suckle.

Desire shot through her. The man really was much too good at that.

A long shudder ran through her.

“I thought you were going to be still.” He raised his lips, denying her the pleasure of his touch.

“But…”

“No buts. If you move, I will stop. Let us see just how obedient you can be, my love.” There was no mistaking the extra emphasis he placed on the last before he lowered his lips to her again, nipping at her lightly.





Chapter Thirty-one


Don’t move. Don’t move. She needed to move. Don’t move.

She pressed her fingers tight, feeling the bite of the pearls against her skin.

Don’t move.

His lips continued to work one puckered peak as his hands moved to play with the other. He pinched at the tip, plucked it.

So good. So very good.

Her hips rose from the bed.

He pulled back instantly.

Her body throbbed with need and want.

Was he counting in his head? She wasn’t sure how she knew, but certainty took her. Closing her eyes, she waited.

When he reached some magic number, his lips returned, softly teasing. And then his fingers, but this time one hand trailed down her belly, stopping to circle her navel before proceeding lower. When he caught her curls between his fingers and pulled she had to curl her toes to keep from moving. When his fingers moved lower, separating her, she tensed her thighs—as hard as she could.

When he stroked her, his calloused finger moved right where she needed it. She lifted from the bed.

He stopped.

Again she felt the counting. She closed her eyes and waited. Deep breath. Deep breath.

His lips came back to her nipple softly, sweetly. She let herself relax. This she could handle.



His other hand cupped her breast, the palm abrading against her. Felt good. Felt so good. Yes. There was tension, but it was bearable.