An Improper Ever After (Elliot & Annabelle 3)

“Because they don’t know you.” She links her fingers with mine. “You care so much, you have to fake it.”

I chuckle to disguise how unsettled her observation makes me.

She gives me a look. “Laugh all you want while I count the ways you care.” She shifts, bringing a knee onto the couch. “You’re kind to Nonny, which you wouldn’t be if you didn’t care. You’re sweet to Elizabeth and worry about her.” I open my mouth, and she immediately wags a finger. “Uh-huh. No. You don’t get to deny it when you told me before dinner about how worried you were about her.”

I snap my mouth shut.

“And you voided the contract between us, making what we have real. A man who doesn’t care wouldn’t have.”

I raise my free hand and rest the palm against her face. She leans into my touch, her eyes on me.

“You have a big, generous heart.” Her warm breath fans against my skin. “Otherwise I would’ve never fallen in love with you.”

Her faith in me humbles me. Her love for me slays me.

And I know I love her.

No other woman will ever touch me the way she does. The things I felt when I first laid eyes on her—I called them lust. But now I recognize they were fate.

I press my cheek against hers. “I love you, Annabelle Reed.”

She trembles slightly. Then lays a hand over mine and slowly pulls back so she can look at me. Her green eyes shimmer, and she’s so beautiful it hurts.

“Elliot,” she breathes out, and a stunning smile curves her lips.

I can’t help it. I cover her mouth with mine. Her fingers dig into my hair, and I taste her sweetness, breathe in her loveliness.

And I feel so damn free.

After placing her arms around my neck, I grab her ass and stand up. Her shapely legs wrap around my hips with surprising strength. Without breaking the kiss, I carry her to our bedroom. Still without breaking the kiss, I manage to get her dress and bra off. She helps by toeing off her shoes. Her mouth is as desperate as mine. We finally break away to get my shirt. I fling it over my shoulder at the same time I kick off my flip-flops and pull my pants off with rough hands. My fingers unsteady, I divest her of her panties.

She stands before me, flushed and fully nude. I take in the beauty of her body—the gentle slopes, the gorgeous breasts and tiny waist that flares out below. My heart beats erratically, and at that moment I finally understand why all those songs about doing anything for the one you love are so popular.

I would kill for my wife. But at the moment, I simply gather her up and lay her on the bed

.

Her flame-red hair spreads around her, and I try to control both my breathing and the lust raging through me. I’ve never wanted a woman the way I want my wife right now.

“Elliot, I need you,” she murmurs.

“I need you too.” I kiss her again. Go slow, idiot. Don’t ruin it by rutting like an animal.

Very deliberately, I run my fingers down her neck and shoulders, then caress the plump underside of her breast. Moaning softly, she arches into my touch—oil to my fire. I nuzzle against the tender skin at the crook of her neck and very gently stroke her tight nipple.

“My god, Elliot…” Her smooth legs move restlessly against mine.

“Let me make it good for you, beautiful.”

I pull the nipple into my mouth, sucking strongly. She cries out, her fingers digging into my hair, her spine arching. Her legs widen in silent invitation, but, with supreme control, I ignore that. I want her mindless with pleasure and crying out my name. I want her to know nothing matters but us—what we have, what we can have.

I let go and watch the wet tip of her tit bead tighter at contact with the cool air. My mouth wraps around the other nipple, while my hand travels along her taut stomach. The muscles jerk, and I stroke her firmly, quietly communicating I will take care of her.

“Elliot, you’re killing me,” she moans.

I laugh darkly against her. “Good.”

Gripping my hand, she drags it down between her legs and presses it against her slick folds.