He chuckled. “Now, who’s grumpy?”
She started to protest, but he was right.
Taking a deep breath, she said, “I want you inside of me.”
He grinned at her. “I love making you talk dirty. Tell me how.”
Ten different things came to mind—his fingers, his cock, his mouth.
“Any way I can get you,” she demanded.
His hands drifted down to her ass, and he cupped her. Then, his fingers spread her open and plunged inside. She could feel her desire leaking out of her.
Rowan lifted his head and whispered in her ear, “My little fighter is so ready.”
Then, it was a dance of elegant domination as his hands roamed over every inch of her body. Her breasts were heavy and tingling. Her legs were shaky with want of release. He nibbled on her breasts, played with her clit, teased her ass.
Then, when she thought she would explode, he said, “Ride me.”
It was just like him to take her to the brink and then let her race to the finish line. She shakily sat up on his stomach, her knees bent on either side of his hips.
Grabbing his hard cock, she jerked him slowly, softly until he demanded, “Harder.”
She complied with a wicked smirk. Without any preamble, she raised herself over him and leisurely sank down onto him. There was resistance and a slight burn as she seated herself fully. Then, she sat, her eyes wide, as she acclimated to his girth.
He pushed himself to sitting and framed her face with his hands. “You okay?”
The new position stretched her more. She waited for the warmth to return, for the unmitigated heat to spark back to life. But when she didn’t answer, he started his torturous explorations all over again. The discomfort faded, and she wanted to move. When her hips kicked forward and back, Rowan kissed her again. Then, he granted her the greatest gift. He let her take control.
Rowan stroked Juliana’s back, reveling in the aftermath of their lovemaking. Just when he’d thought he’d tapped out on his feelings for her, she dug in deeper, bringing more love to the surface. He’d had no idea he had the capacity for such a romantic undertaking. But with this woman, it seemed his reserves were truly as wide as the galaxy. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
She sat up abruptly. “Is your leg okay?”
Rowan smiled. “What leg?” he teased.
Juliana smacked him lightly on the stomach. “Seriously?”
“Seriously,” he said, “it’s fine.”
Rowan had had a decent doctor’s appointment two days before. The feeling in his lower leg wasn’t returning as quickly as they liked, so it was possible the nerve damage was permanent. But even as he’d heard the words, it hadn’t felt like the end of the world. He didn’t know what he was going to do with his life, but for now, he was content to try to figure it out.
“Do you want to live here?” Juliana asked.
Rowan didn’t really care where they lived. They had a plethora of estates to choose from now. His family’s legacy was another thing he would have to deal with. It was a conversation he and Juliana would need to have. He couldn’t keep the lands and titles. It just didn’t feel right. Nico had called him a rebel, and maybe he was. He wouldn’t begrudge Juliana her legacy, but he also didn’t have to accept his.
He sat up and leaned against the headboard. “When Nico took me to the doctor, we talked about this house. He told me what he wanted to do, and I knew it was the perfect place for us to begin our life. I made him take my house. So, while it’s not an even trade, he’s not homeless.”
“I’m glad you did that.” Juliana stood from the bed. “Can I give you your groom’s gift now?”
His brow furrowed. “Groom’s gift?”
“Yes. You gave me a gift—a perfect gift. And I have something for you.”
He studied her, not liking the mischievous look in her eyes. “Aye,” he said, more out of curiosity than excitement.
She pulled on a robe. “I’ll be right back.”
Rowan watched her leave, content. But after some time passed, he began to wonder if she was coming back. When the clicking of his dogs trailing her down the hall broke the silence of the house, he relaxed. Juliana opened the door. In her hands was an elaborate basket. The dogs were going crazy, whining and jockeying for position.
“Foos!” he chided them.
They calmed somewhat, but their excitement was palpable.
Juliana finally made it to the bed and placed the basket down. She stood back and said, “Since I kind of stole your girl, I thought it only fair you had your own.”
A tiny head with huge German shepherd ears popped out of the basket, as if they had rehearsed it. Rowan sat in shock. The puppy, however, was not to be ignored. She climbed out of the basket and made her way over to Rowan. He pulled the sheet up over his lap to protect himself seconds before the pup plopped down in his lap. He held her aloft and peered at her, taking her measure.
“She’s a good lass,” he finally conceded. “Has she a name?”
Juliana looked smug. “Of course.”
“Well?” he said, his eyes leaping between his new baby and Juliana.
“Padmé.”
“Another queen,” he quipped, loving her choice.