Page 115 of The Exception

Istared at Lily, marveling at the strong, confident, resilient woman who was my wife. My equal. My heart.

When she’d said,I think I love youearlier, I’d known she was making an offhand remark. And yet, I wanted to pretend she meant those words. That she loved me.

I am so screwed.

“Mm.” She ran her hands up my chest. “I like you like this—all growly and protective. It’s hot.” She unbuttoned my shirt.

“You’re hot,” I said, yanking off my shirt as fast as possible.

I pulled her to me, crushing my lips against hers. There was nothing slow, methodical, or calculated about my movements. I was raw heat and passion ready to explode, and she matched my energy, my desperation. I couldn’t touch enough of her fast enough.

“Everyone has it wrong about you,” she said when we broke apart so I could peel off her clothes.

“What do you mean?” I tugged at her shirt, buttons flying in the process.

“Hey!” She scowled. “I liked that shirt.”

“I’ll buy you another one,” I said between kisses. “I’ll buy you as many as you want.”

She rolled her eyes even as she pushed my shirt off over my shoulders. “You aren’t cold or heartless. If anything, you have such a big heart that you feel too much.”

I… How had she?

She placed her hand over my heart. “You’re a good man, Graham Mackenzie.”

“I—” I tried to swallow past the lump in my throat. “Thank you.”

“Now, are you just going to stand there, or are you going to join me?” she teased, snapping me out of my thoughts. She was naked, and I reveled in the sight of her.

“Get in,” I rumbled.

For once, she obeyed. I kicked off my pants and followed her into the tub. Warm water sprayed over my skin, and my body sighed in relief.Damn.It was glorious after too many days of cold baths. She was right; heating the water with the kettle was a pain in the ass, so I rarely did it for myself.

I closed the shower curtain and guided her foot to the edge of the tub. I went to my knees, gazing up at her like a supplicant before an altar. “Beautiful.”

She peered down at me, so full of love and desire that it nearly stole the breath from my lungs.

I inhaled deeply, trying to steady myself. “Laisse-moi te plaire.”I was commanding. I was pleading.Let me please you.Not just with my body but with my everything.

She cupped my cheek. “You do please me,mon amour.”

The moment felt fragile and beautiful, like the first bloom of spring. It filled me with a sense of hope and excitement as I glimpsed a vision of our future. Of the life we could build together.

She clutched my shoulders, urging me closer. “Please, Graham.”

I didn’t have to be asked twice. I nuzzled her mound. Hot water cascaded down our skin, filling the bathroom with heat to rival our own. The more I lapped and licked her clit, the more her grip on my shoulders tightened.

“Yes,” she panted. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”

It turned into a chant, my name a benediction on her lips and music to my ears. Until her legs were shaking. Until she came undone, screaming my name.

I stood, gathering her into my arms and just holding her close. Letting her catch her breath, though my heart pounded just as fast as hers. Our bodies were slick, and our mouths were locked. Our kisses teasing. Tasting. Breathless. She was so goddamn perfect.

“I need you,” I rasped, grabbing her ass and holding her even tighter. It was as close as I had come to admitting the truth.

I needed this woman in my arms, in my bed, in my life.

I worried about telling her. Worried she didn’t feel the same. But then I’d remember the way Lily would look at me. The way she’d touch me. And I’d think it couldn’t possibly all be an act.

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