Claim (A Dangerous Man 3)

She wants to leave.

I feel a knot tighten in my stomach. I reach out for her, gathering her into my arms. “Stop.” I can hear the plea in my voice. “Stop.”

She holds on to me, clutching me tightly. I bury my nose in her hair, breathing in the essence of her. This is what I want, to feel her like this, to know that she knows that she’s mine.

I stroke her hair, listening as her breathing slows.

“Why did you marry me David?” She asks shakily.

I pull back so that I’m looking into her face. “Because I wanted you,” I say truthfully. “I wanted you the moment I saw you standing outside that little shop in that small town, looking so lost and alone. I wanted your innocence, your beauty,” her lips are trembling. Distracted, I kiss her gently at the soft corner of her lips. “I wanted your body Sophie, I wanted to see your face when I make you scream my name.”

She sways, her body pressing against me. “You didn’t have to marry me,” she says quietly, “You already had me.”

As if once would ever be enough. “And then I wanted no one else to ever have the pleasure. Understand that Sophie, You are mine.”

Her lips are parted, inviting me. My body responds without holding back. I kiss her, tasting the sweetness of her lips.

I undress her in a hurry, and tear off my clothes as fast as I can. The bed is too far away, so I carry her to one of the armchairs, kneeling between her parted legs. Then she takes me in her hand and guides me inside her slickness, her eyes closed, and her lips parted in an expression of ecstasy. My breath hisses out of my chest, and I almost explode. The fever of desire engulfs me, and I plunge in deep, going insanely, pleasurably mad with each thrust. Wanting her is like a fire in my blood, and it doesn’t let go until I’m utterly spent, and barely able to carry her to the bed.

We lie side by side, her head resting on my shoulder while I stroke her hair. I have never felt like this with anyone else. It’s crazy and scary at the same time.

“You know, I owe you a honeymoon.” I say.

She turns to me and smiles. “Yes, somewhere that would ‘blow my mind’.”

“Is there anywhere in particular you would like to go?”

She sighs. “I’d go anywhere with you.”

In that moment, I’m totally, irrevocably hers. I lean over and kiss her until I’ve tasted every corner of her mouth.

“I think I know just the place.” I say when I pause for breath.

She smiles. “I thought we were going out for dinner?” She doesn’t sound too eager.

My eyes skip to rosy nipples, erect and asking for my attention. What dinner?

“Forget dinner.” I say decisively.

And then I make her forget.

Chapter Seven

“You’re a changed man, and it’s about time.”

The memory of Carlo’s words, spoken when his family spent an afternoon with Sophie and me in Florence, is accompanied by vivid memories of the two-week holiday, lazy days in the sun, making hot sweet love in every single room of my spacious villa, and just enjoying each other’s company.

I turn to look at her, sitting beside me in the back of the car, Sophie looks beautiful, her figure perfect in a beautiful blue evening gown, and her face serene, showing no signs of the fact that we just made mind-blowing love in the apartment before setting out for the charity event we’re attending. Around her slender neck, the stones in the necklace I had made from one of her designs sparkle fiercely, reminding me of the few instances when I’ve experienced her temper.

As if she can feel my eyes on her, she turns to look at me, wide green eyes drawing me into their depths.

For a second, I can’t quite catch my breath.

I do feel like a changed man. I feel like I’ve been given something that I don’t deserve. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and every single moment, I’m terrified by the fear that I’ll lose it.

That I’ll lose her.

I give her a small smile and turn away, busying myself with looking out of the windows on my side. Steve is driving, quiet as usual. I wonder what he would say if I told him that I’m afraid.