Absolution (Honor Guard 1)

He lifted her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. The bed had been disassembled, but the mattress lay on the floor. He laid her gently on it and lowered himself to cover her body. His weight pressing against her made her heart feel whole again. She’d missed him so much, even more so than when she’d kicked him out. Knowing she loved him—and he still loved her—had made their separation unbearable. She’d never let go of him again. Groaning, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

He brought his mouth to hers but hovered a mere breath away. “Are you sure you’re ready? I can wait—”

She grasped his neck and melded her lips to his. His tongue thrust between her lips, and he cradled her head in his hands. She tore free, smiling up into his green eyes. “I love you. There are no doubts.”

Growling, he crushed her lips beneath his, his hands fumbling with the hem of her shirt. He removed his mouth from hers long enough to rip the shirt over her head, and then nibbled on her lower lip before licking the sting away.

“God, I love you,” he whispered hotly in her ear. Removing her bra, he fondled her left breast while his lips closed over her right nipple.

Happiness twined with desire inside of her, making everything in her world shiny and perfect. She groaned and arched her back, tugging at his hair.

He lifted his head, and scowled. “Ow, that hurt.”

She rolled him onto his back, straddling his hips. “Well, I’ll have to make you feel better.”

Smirking, she yanked his shirt over his head and massaged his auburn locks. Closing his eyes, he sighed. When she licked his nipple, he jerked, groaning and threading his fingers through her hair. She treated the other nipple the same while she dragged her nails down his chest. Moving her hands lower, she unbuttoned his waistband, fumbling in her haste to peel his pants off. Once he had nothing but boxers on, she cupped his penis and massaged him until he squirmed beneath her.

“Eva!” he cried out, hands fisting.

She shot him a grin, slinking down his body while making sure to trail her br**sts along his chest and down his belly. Releasing his c**k from his boxers, she licked the tip, savoring his moan of delight, and closed her lips around his shaft, sucking while massaging his balls. When he lurched off the bed, she held his chest down with her free hand. Strong fingers laced into her hair and tugged. She stroked her tongue in circles around his sensitive tip.

“Fuck,” he mumbled, “I need to be inside of you. Now.” Picking her up, he tossed her onto her back, taking care to be gentle with her even though he looked as if he would explode it he didn’t have her that instant. He practically shredded her jeans in his haste to be inside her.

Once she was naked, he removed his boxers and stood above her. Her breath caught as his eyes took in every inch of her body. She held her arms out and, with a wicked grin, he leapt on her, crushing her lips beneath his and thrusting into her in one deep drive. She whimpered into his mouth, and wrapped her legs around his hips, meeting him thrust for thrust until she tensed and an orgasm exploded through her.

When he left her, pulling from her embrace and away from her body, she cried out in dismay. He hadn’t come. Why would he withdraw from her before he’d climaxed?

Rising up on her elbows, she realized he wasn’t finished. He lowered his head between her legs, stroking her with his tongue. Pure pleasure made her mewl and dig her nails into the mattress. He gripped her hips and pulled her closer to his mouth, unwilling to let her escape his sweet torture. The pressure built inside her until, with a small scream exploding from her, she burst against his mouth, sagging to the mattress. Wonder washed through her, along with love. She couldn’t imagine life without him by her side. Never again.

Joseph rose above her and brushed her clitoris as he entered her. She dug her heels into the mattress, trembling. With a surprised shout, she climaxed again.

“Jesus, Eva. I’m gonna come,” he moaned, plunging into her a few times before he threw his head back and came inside her.

She groaned, trailing her fingers over his back, enjoying the feel of his weight on top of her. His breath fanned her ear, and she smiled. After a few minutes, he raised himself on one elbow, studying her expression. “You look awfully pleased with yourself.”

She traced a finger along his eyebrow. “I am. I’m beyond happy. I have you back. No one’s shot at me in the last week. Life’s good.”

He slid off her.

“Hey, come back!” she protested.

He shook his head and grabbed his pants, reaching in his pocket. Eva chewed on her lower lip, watching him strut back to her naked. The velvet box perched between the fingers of his hand. His muscles rippled as he lowered to the floor on one knee, and his face held a touch of vulnerability she’d not often seen on him. He always seemed so sure of himself and what he wanted. To see him so nervous made her love him even more.

She gulped in air and held it, scrambling to sit up cross-legged on the bed. Closing his eyes, as if to steady himself, Joseph flipped open the lid of the box. Eva released her breath in a loud whoosh at the sight of the gorgeous ring resting within. Tearing her gaze from the treasure, she witnessed an even more mesmerizing sight—the love and tears in Joseph’s eyes.

“I know I can be hard to handle. Bossy at times. An ass at others. But one thing I’ve always been good at is knowing what I want. And getting it.” He paused and steadied himself, never breaking eye contact with her. “I had everything in the world I could ever want. I didn’t realize how much of that included you until you were gone. I ask you to be my wife, and in return I vow to be forever faithful. I will never leave you, Eva, or break your heart. All I ask is for you to wear my ring and love me in return. Will you be my wife?”

Her love for him swelled, making her laugh in joy. He’d actually asked her to marry him after all they’d been through in the past few months. He loved her—needed her. And, God, she needed him, too. Everything seemed to fit perfectly into place, all the pieces snug and tight.

Her life had come back together. She could breathe again.

She burst into tears and launched herself into his arms. He fell backward, the box holding the ring skittering across the floor. She kissed him full on the mouth, and cradled his cheeks with shaky hands to look down into his eyes.

“Yes. I will be your wife! And I will give you all those things and more. I promise!”

He rolled her beneath him on the cool floor. Leaning up on his elbows, he placed a kiss on her forehead. Reaching above her head, he grabbed the box and removed the ring from it, placing the band on her left ring finger.