Page 104 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

“See, that’s what I’m talking about. You’re too inside your head. You can’t accept a compliment without questioning it.” He placed another kiss to her shoulder. “You’re the smartest person I know. Your legal ideas are brilliant, yet you’re very humble about them. You’re infinitely patient with Calleigh and Mira—always putting their needs first.

“You always consult me on anything to do with the household, knowing I want to feel I’m contributing. You laugh over spilled milk and never raise your voice.” He splayed his hand across her stomach.

Ah.He was making love to her with his words. He was pulling her away from all the negative thoughts crowding her mind.

The next move would have to be hers. She grasped the waist of her pajamas and pulled them down, then tossed them over the side of the bed.Yes. She was naked and yet not panicked.

Oh, the luxury in being spooned tightly against him. His hand, previously anchored below her breast, leisurely explored. First across her abdomen, then along her hip. Slow circles along her thigh.

“I love that you have the strength of your convictions. You stand up for those who can’t do it for themselves. You give them the ability to believe the world can be a good place. You make the world a safer place with both your words and your deeds.”

His hand dipped lower, running along the seam of her clamped thighs. She wanted to open them, she really did. Still, something held her back.

“You have the sexiest body I’ve ever seen. I could touch you all day and never get tired.”

He made her feel sexy. He made her see that the flaws were in her mind and not really there.

“When you go to work every morning, done up in those professional suits, I want to ravish you. Pull your hair down and run my hands through it. When you come home and change into your jeans, I get to admire that beautiful ass of yours. When you change into your pajamas, all I can think about is stripping them off you.” He pressed his lips against her shoulder and his lips curved into a smile. “I have lascivious thoughts about you at the least opportune moments. At night, I live in perpetual horniness.”

Yet he never said anything. Never acted upon his attraction. Never showed her any unwanted attention. The back of her eyes burned with unshed tears. He was the best man she’d ever met.

She turned on her back and touched her fingers to his jaw, encouraging him to kiss her. “I’m ready.” Brave words said on a breathless whisper.

His gaze on her intensified, as if trying to discern the veracity of her statement.

The moment spun out, and she worried she’d done something wrong. When he moved in for a kiss, relief washed over her. She hadn’t misread the situation. As his hand slid lower, she was ready.

This time, when his hands ran along the seam of her thighs, she allowed her legs to open. At the second pass, her knees fell outward. By the third pass, she arched her pelvis upward, seeking relief from the strange feeling snaking through her.

When he touched her intimately, electricity jolted through her. She lost all ability of rational thought as he moved his finger against her. Embarrassment warred with lust, and lust won by a mile. Her body was reacting to feelings she’d believed impossible.

His stubble rasped against the sensitive skin behind her ear.

“Let go.”

The whispered words ricocheted through her like a gunshot.

And she did exactly that.

Chapter forty-one

Rustyheldhiswifeas the tremors from her climax continued through her body. Her responsiveness had been breathtaking. When she let go of that steely control, she’d flown—enjoyed the pleasure he offered.

When she began to think too much, he despaired of ever getting her back to the place where rational thought had no place and hedonism reigned supreme. Not that an orgasm had been the goal. Pleasure’d been the journey he promised her, and hopefully, she’d enjoyed that part of it.

A thrill ran through him. She believed herself incapable of reaching a physical and psychological place that’d allow her to orgasm, and now she knew otherwise. Would this change the dynamic of their relationship? He didn’t have an easy answer. He’d been sincere when he said he’d forgo intercourse if it kept her with him—because he’d walk across hot coals if it kept her with him.

She took a long, deep breath, letting it out on a shaky exhalation. Her heartbeat was slowing from its galloping pace.

“So that…that’s what all the fuss is about.”

Oh, thank God.Pulling her back into his embrace, he shielded her body with his. His protective instincts kicked in, pushing him to hold on as tightly as he could. Still, he forced himself to remain calm because he didn’t want to scare her.

She placed her hand over his and pulled it under the shelf of her breasts. “Thank you seems so inadequate.”

“Thank you isn’t even necessary. It was my pleasure, trust me.”

“What about your pleasure?”

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