Page 43 of The Only Heart that Matters

It shouldn’t come as a surprise. Over the years, I’ve seen him shirtless more times than I can count. But this… Well, nothing quite compares to the vision before me, and I doubt anything ever will.

It’s clear he uses the weights I saw in his loft. His body screams strength. Thick thighs, a broad chest, and corded muscles beneath intricate tattoos running up his forearms to his broad shoulders fight to steal the focus from his hard length, but his handsome face and the way he’s looking at me are what draw my attention.

Standing before him in nothing but my heels and his tie, I twist Granny’s ring around my finger, not sure what to do next. In the barn, hidden by the dark of night, I was bold and took what I wanted. Now, here in the blinding light, I feel exposed and uncertain.

He closes the distance between us, covering my hands with his to stop the incessant spinning of my ring.

“Let me show you just how beautiful you are.”

Mesmerized by his words and his gentle touch, I simply nod in reply.

Trusting him to take control, although I’m not sure I’ll ever understand what he sees when he looks at me, I let him guide me to the bed. He releases one of my hands, and circles one of my nipples with a fingertip before cupping my breast. Dropping my other hand, he moves behind me, the heat of his body setting me on fire when he whispers in my ear.

“You. Are. Magnificent.”

Standing in the middle of his bedroom beside his bed, the same one I’ve been calling my own for the last week, with nothing to cover me, I gasp when I catch my reflection in the wood-framed full-length mirror I’ve used every morning this week to get ready.

Angus’s larger body frames mine from behind as he presses against me. His knuckles glide over the side of my breast and down my side until his arm wraps around my waist.

His gaze is fixed to mine in the mirror when he speaks in a low velvety smooth voice. “I want you to watch me worship you. I want you to see what I see.”

Fear creeps in. I’m not sure if I can do this. “Angus, I--”

He steals my words before I can get them out. Releasing me to turn my face, he kisses me until I’m dripping for him. His tongue caresses mine while his calloused hands explore the curves of my body. I am lost to him. Hands fumbling behind me, I run my fingers over his skin. He is all I feel. No insecurity, no guilt, no fear.

Just Gus.

When he pulls his lips from mine, he moves so he’s standing in front of me. Needing to touch him I rest my fingers over his heartbeat. The steady rhythm under his skin calls to me. On instinct, I move my hand to press my lips to his chest.

“I’m going to worship you.” He places his finger under my chin tilting my head, so I meet his eyes leaving only a breath of air between us. His tongue flicks out over my top lip. “And you’re going to watch.”

This time I don’t protest, closing my eyes as he kisses down my neck.

“Open your eyes, beautiful.”

My fingers run over his short hair, enjoying the feel of his lips on my skin, ignoring his demand.

“Eyes, Mia. If you want me to continue, you will open your eyes.”

Hesitantly, I blink them open, not willing to give him up just yet.

“Good girl,” he purrs against my throat.

God, the view of him in the mirror as he goes back to kissing my neck is magnificent. His tattooed back, the hard round globes of his ass, and his muscular legs should be illegal.

As his lips move across my collarbone, my attention snags on my face. My lips are swollen from our kisses, my cheeks rosy with intoxicating lust, my eyes full of need. Whatever it is he’s doing looks good on me.

Bending lower, he sucks one of my nipples into his mouth, trapping it between his teeth. The sting from his bite sends an electric jolt through my body, waking any nerve endings that weren’t already activated. Watching his mouth on one breast, his hand on the other while his tie hangs between them, feels like an out-of-body experience. Like I’m watching a different couple in the mirror. His tanned skin against my pale body is absolutely gorgeous. I burn this into my memory, never wanting to forget a moment.

His mouth drifts to my other breast, giving it the same awakening sting. My back arches, pressing into his mouth, my body begging for more. My red nails scratch over his shoulders and down his tattooed arms. The sight is heady, heating me from the inside out.

“You watchin’?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” He swings his tie over my shoulder. “Don’t take your eyes off that mirror, Mia.”

His arms reach around my back and hold me steady as he kisses his way between my breasts and down my stomach. My breasts hang heavy, the tight pink buds of my nipples begging for more attention. He slowly lowers to his knees, his hands dropping to my ample ass.

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