Page 43 of Temporary Wife Temptation

Garrett pulled her back into his arms and kissed her. She hadn’t seen him all day and she’d missed him. She parted her lips and pressed herself to him, making him groan and slide his hands up the back of her shirt. Familiar heat spread through her and she had a second before losing all rational thought.

“Um, Garrett?”

He grunted and lifted her up onto the counter.

“Garrett.” Natalie laughed and squirmed in his arms. They needed to talk about the Yami Corporation situation. It was ridiculous for him to carry all that weight by himself. “We need to talk. I want...”

He didn’t seem to hear her and continued trailing kisses down the side of her neck. By the time he reached her collarbone, she couldn’t remember what she’d wanted to talk about. She wrapped her legs around him and whispered the only words she could form. “I want you.”

“Good.” His voice rang with arrogant satisfaction. He cupped her breast with a possessive hand and something fierce burned in his eyes before he kissed her with heat and desperation. When he filled her, she cried out, marveling at how whole she felt, and never wanted to let go.

After the storm passed, Garrett lifted her down from the counter. He was bare chested and she wore nothing under her oversize T-shirt. She plucked her panties off the floor, not bothering with her jeans. When her husband reached down for his shirt, she kicked it away with her foot. “You’re fine. It’s casual Friday at the Song penthouse.”

“Is that so?” A wolfish grin spread across his handsome face as he folded his arms across his naked chest.

Her eyes glazed over as she ogled his bulging biceps. Gah. Natalie hurried to the opposite side of the kitchen counter so she wouldn’t jump him. Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her she’d been putting together dinner. Yes, a woman cannot live by sex alone. She needed pizza.

Garrett chuckled under his breath as though he knew her inner struggle of pizza versus sex. “Have a seat. I’ll finish the salad.”

She sat on the counter stool and made herself comfortable. Natalie decided there was nothing better than watching her shirtless husband cook for her. They chatted comfortably, warm laughter punctuating their conversation.

This was happiness. Unshed tears pricked her eyes and her lips curved into a tremulous smile. So this is what it feels like to be whole. Love swelled to the brim and lapped perilously at the edge of her heart. Unable to hold back any longer, she opened the dam and let it spill over.

“I love you.”

“Could you pass the salad?” Natalie asked in a small voice.

“Sure.” Garrett passed her the salad bowl, careful not to let their fingers touch.

“Thank you.”

The conversation at the dinner table was scintillating. It might’ve had something to do with him all but ignoring her declaration of love. Her words had brought something fierce and hungry to life inside him, but he’d smothered it ruthlessly. What else can I do? He could never give her what she wanted. What she deserved. He shut his eyes and mind against the torrent of emotions threatening to breach the walls of his heart.

“Garrett.” His eyes flew open at Natalie’s whisper. “You don’t need to worry. I haven’t forgotten our agreement. I’m not asking anything of you.”

“Hush.” Garrett shut out what her words implied. She deserved more but he was going to hold on to her—letting her go would wreck him. He brought her hand to his mouth, kissing each knuckle before placing a lingering kiss on her palm. Her lashes fluttered and her lips parted in response. Without warning, he scooped his wife off her chair and headed upstairs, taking two steps at a time.

“What are you—”

“Hush.” Blood pounded in his ears. His panic fueled his desperation. Mine. He laid her down on the bed, then ripped his pants off with rough impatience. She watched him with sad, wide eyes, and his heart slammed against his ribs. “Your turn.”

He reached around her and pulled off her T-shirt with shaking hands. When he reached her hips, he linked his fingers into her lacy underwear and tugged it down. Then she was naked before him, and she was perfection.

Garrett lowered himself, covering her body with his. Molten heat flared at the contact. He claimed her mouth, sucking and nipping, drinking in her intoxicating taste like a man starved. She writhed under him, and everywhere her body touched his, a fire started. As he explored her, she made those small sounds of passion that never failed to drive him mad. He slid one hand down her silken curves. A guttural groan tore from his chest when he found the hot, moist warmth of her center.

“Look at me.” When her eyes focused on him, he gave himself to her the only way he knew how. “Do you see what you do to me?”

“Yes.” She whimpered and grasped his buttocks as he pulled his fingers from her.

“I can’t get enough of you.” Unable to hold back any longer, he surged into her. “I’ve never wanted anyone like this before. Only you.”

“Please, Garrett.”

“You’re mine.” Wanting to prolong her release, he slowed his rhythm even more. “Tell me you’re mine.”

“I’m yours.”

Her words slashed the last of his control. He raised himself on his arms and drove into her again and again until she screamed his name, her internal muscles clenching around him. His hips bucked once, twice, then he shouted his own release and collapsed over her.

---