Page 16 of The Mountain Man's Second Chance Bride
I slide two fingers inside her, feeling her tight heat clench around me. She cries out, hands clutching my shoulders for support as her legs tremble.
"Mine now," I tell her, curling my fingers to hit that spot that makes her gasp. "You went to all this trouble to find me? To claim me? Well, now I'm claiming you right back."
"Please," she whimpers, riding my hand as tension builds in her body. "Josiah, I need it."
"What do you need?" I demand, my cock straining painfully against my jeans as I work her toward release.
"You," she manages, eyes wild with need.
The raw desperation in her voice snaps something loose in my chest. I withdraw my hand, ignoring her sound of protest, and sweep her into my arms. I bring us back to the bed, where I lay her down with more care than my rough handling moments ago would suggest.
I step back, drinking in the sight of her, flushed skin, heavy-lidded eyes, legs parted in invitation. She's everything I never knew I wanted, everything I never let myself hope for.
"Please," she says again, reaching for me. "Don't make me wait anymore."
"We have to get breakfast started," I say suddenly, a devious idea forming.
Her face shifts from desire to confusion to outrage in rapid succession. "You're joking."
"Am I?" I ask, fighting to keep my expression stern.
"Josiah Stone, if you leave me like this, I swear I'll—"
I cut off her threat with another kiss, unable to maintain the teasing any longer. "Relax," I murmur against her lips. "We haveall the time in the world. I just wanted to see that fire in your eyes again."
Relief and renewed desire flood her expression. "You're terrible."
"And you're manipulative," I counter, lowering myself over her. "Seems we're well matched after all."
She turns toward me, hand sliding down my chest with clear intent. "Then it's your turn."
I catch her wrist before she can reach her target, bringing her fingers to my lips instead. Her brow furrows in confusion as I place a gentle kiss on her palm.
"Not yet."
"Why not?" The genuine bewilderment in her voice almost makes me laugh.
I sit up, putting deliberate distance between us. "I'm still not entirely convinced you've learned your lesson about honesty."
Her eyes widen, then narrow as understanding dawns. "You're punishing me? For not telling you I searched for you specifically?"
"Punishment might be too harsh a word," I say, enjoying the indignation flashing in her eyes. "Think of it as motivation for complete transparency going forward."
"You can't be serious." She sits up, gloriously naked and completely unselfconscious in her outrage. "After what we just did?"
"Completely serious." I stand, pulling on my jeans and buttoning them slowly, aware of her eyes tracking every movement. "You'll have to earn the right to have me inside you."
Her mouth opens, then closes, speechless for perhaps the first time since I've known her. "That's... that's not fair!"
"Who said anything about fair?" I ask, leaning over to press a kiss to her forehead. "You manipulated me, Wynonna Crow. Actions have consequences."
"You've already forgiven me," she accuses, eyes narrowing. "I can see it in your face."
"Maybe," I concede, allowing a small smile. "Maybe not. Guess you'll have to work to find out."
Of course, the anger that gripped me earlier has transformed completely, admiration for her courage, and a bone-deep certainty that whatever brought us together, we belong like this. Her beneath me, her body opening to mine, her heart laid bare.
She crosses her arms over her chest, which only serves to push her breasts together in a way that makes my resolve waver momentarily. "Fine. How long is this 'punishment' going to last?"
