Joanna's Highlander (Highland Protector #2)(66)

“As ye wish, lass, but know this and know it well. We’ll not be leavin’ this bed until ye swear ye’ll let me love ye every day of the week and twice or more on Sundays.” He pumped harder, arching his back as he slammed into her.

As her moans grew louder, he thrust faster. This was a battle. A battle for the woman he loved. Before he lost complete control and spilled himself inside her, he managed to speak one last time and he prayed she knew just how much he meant every word.

“Ye’ll find I’m a verra selfish man, Joanna, and I’ll ne’er share ye with anyone or anything.”





Chapter 22


Grant was by far the best body pillow she’d ever had. She snuggled tighter into the crook of his arm, pillowing her head more comfortably into the dip of his shoulder as she wound a leg around his and draped one arm across his chest. Perfection.

“Ye wouldna have this in Chicago.” Grant traced his fingertips back and forth across her back, occasionally dipping down to lightly squeeze the cheek of her ass, then affectionately swat it. “Five nights alone in a cold bed versus seven nights sleepin’ in m’arms. Why would ye wish for such?”

How could she make him understand why she needed to do this? She could already tell he thought he’d won and changed her mind after a night of the best lovemaking they’d ever had. The bedroom door was still locked. He’d sworn he wouldn’t open it until she promised not to leave and she still hadn’t said those words. And she wouldn’t. She was still going. Grant just didn’t know it—yet. I’ve got to convince him to give this a chance. I can’t pass up this opportunity to straighten out my life so we can enjoy our future.

“I love ye, Joanna.” His voice had grown softer, his tone laced with emotion. “I love ye so much it scares the everlovin’ hell out of me and I’m not one to be afraid of anythin’.” He shifted, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as he tightened his arms and held her closer. “I want ye t’be happy, but I canna bear the thought of ye leavin’ me—not even for a day.”

“I love you more than you’ll ever know,” she said. How could she make him understand that just because she was going to Chicago, it didn’t mean she was giving up on a life with him? “I’ve never felt so…content…so safe.” She pushed up on one elbow and looked down into his eyes. “You’ve given me a peace I never knew existed. I can’t describe how happy you’ve made me.” He’d given her hope for the kind of life she never thought she’d have. That’s why she was brave enough to take this job that would help her straighten out her past messes that were her responsibility—not his.

Grant smiled, slid his fingers up her neck into her hair, and pulled her down for a gentle kiss. “I love ye, dear one. And our life will only get better. I swear it.”

Joanna pecked another quick kiss to the tip of Grant’s nose, then slid down to rest her head on the center of his chest. There was something innately comforting about the sound of Grant’s steady heartbeat thumping in her ear. Damn, I love him.

But as much as she loved him, as much as she wanted a life with him, she still needed to grab hold of the opportunity that fate had seen fit to drop in her lap. She hadn’t had many get-out-of-jail-free cards gifted to her in this life. She wasn’t about to waste this one.

But what about Grant? He’ll be hurt so badly. Not for long, she argued with herself. She’d been battling with that damn voice ever since Lilian Tasker made the offer. Guilt had attached itself to her like some blood-sucking demon that wouldn’t let go. How can I do this to him?

Trying to sort through the dilemma, she mindlessly traced a fingertip around Grant’s nipple. Round and round the tightening button, she worked through her thoughts, mesmerized by the contracting movement of the dark, rosy nubbin.

“If ye keep doing that…” Grant didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t have to, because she felt the proof of his warning growing long and hard against her stomach.

She pushed up from his chest, slid down, and straddled his legs. Taking his hot, velvety hardness in one hand, she slowly massaged up and down. “You are insatiable,” she said as she bent and raced the tip of her tongue around the rim of his cock’s head.

“Only with you, m’love. Only with you.”

Joanna bent and licked the length of his shaft, then sucked him into her mouth as deep as she could. Grant’s entire body flinched and tightened beneath her. She sucked harder and faster while pumping the length of him she couldn’t fit in her mouth.

Grant arched his back and groaned. His scrotum tightened in the palm of her hand. He was about to lose control. “Ride me, I beg ye,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “Gi’ me yer heat!”

He didn’t have to ask twice because she needed him just as badly. Joanna climbed up his thighs, hovered over his cock for a hot second, then rammed herself downward. She almost came immediately but clenched against it. No. Not yet.

“Ride, lass, ride!”

Joanna rocked slowly at first, then gained speed, gyrating hard and fast until Grant roared out a stream of Gaelic and arched upward, lifting them both off the bed. As he shuddered and pumped inside her, Joanna spun into her own orgasm, screaming out with the exploding bliss that wouldn’t be contained.