The Reluctant Wife: Chapter 24

He pulls out and stays poised at the rim of my slit again. This time though, he kicks his hips forward and buries himself inside me in one sweet move. Tendrils of sensation flare out from the point of contact. Liquid heat shoots through my veins. I dig my heels into his back, feeling the muscles bunch and flex as he begins to fuck me in earnest. Each time he sinks inside me, he hits that secret spot deep inside of me. A place where only he has been. The friction is devastatingly stimulating and so very intimate. Sweat beads his forehead, and not once does he look away.

This connection between us is so personal, it heightens my awareness of him. Of how he’s watching me closely every time he sinks into me, how he varies the angle of his hips to hit my clit, how he balances himself on one arm to keep most of his weight off while still pinning me with his cock and his hips, and those long, deep, smooth thrusts like a dance we’ve choreographed before. Vibrations shudder out from we’re joined and curl in on themselves. That familiar tightening in my lower belly signals I’m going to climax. Again. Yet he continues to drive into me. And the next time he impales me, that pressure inside me shoots up and out to my extremities.

He holds my gaze, pushes in again, then growls, ‘Come with me.’

He plunges into me, and the climax crashes over me. The orgasm builds up my spine and bursts in a shower of sparks. I hear myself cry out as if from a distance. And yet he hasn’t closed his eyes; neither have I. He holds my gaze and, with a hoarse cry, follows me over the edge.

I feel him grow even more hard inside me. His shoulders shudder and he lowers his forehead to mine. A bead of sweat slides down his temple onto my cheek. For a few more seconds, we stare at each other.

‘Wow.’ I swallow. ‘That was⁠—’

‘Incredible.’ One side of his mouth quirks. He presses his lips to mine. A butterfly wings brush of a kiss. Then he kisses the tip of my nose, and my eyes before he pulls out.

He falls onto the grass next to me. His chest rises and falls, his breath coming in pants. For a few seconds, we stay silent. As my heart rate returns to normal, the sounds of the waterfall creep into my consciousness. Then, he sits up. I open my eyes to find him pulling off the condom. He ties it off and slips it into the pocket of his jacket. Then, he rises to his feet and holds out his hand. I take it. He pulls me up. For a few seconds we survey each other. Then he pulls some stray leaves from my hair and smooths it down. His touch is soft. And so gentle.

It makes me feel even worse. I swallow down the ball of emotion in my throat and glance away. ‘I look⁠—’

‘Thoroughly fucked,’ he says with satisfaction.

I flush further. The pride in his voice is so damn arousing. I’m so aware of his naked body and his strong presence. It makes me want to sink into him and forget about my responsibilities. If I burrow into him further, perhaps, I can hide from the fact I’ve been promised to another? It’s not as if I have any fondness for my betrothed, so I don’t think I’m cheating.

Besides, it’s more of a financial commitment than emotional. Ryot probably won’t care either way. Will he? Taking in the possessiveness in his eyes, a shiver of apprehension climbs up my spine.

To mask my thoughts, I bend, pick up my jeans and slip them on, then my sweatshirt, before pulling on my socks and shoes. I stuff my wet underwear in the pocket of my jeans and my phone in the other. When I look up, it’s to find he has also finished dressing.

He holds out his hand. ‘Come ‘ere.’

The command in his voice insists I obey him. My legs seem to carry me to him independent of my instruction. I place my palm in his, and he pulls me close. He searches my features, then cups my cheek, and before I can protest, brings me in for a kiss. Instantly, I melt against him. I can’t hold out against the feel of his lips against mine and the scrape of the calluses of his fingers against my cheek.

‘You all right?’ he whispers against my mouth.

I nod. Once more, his tenderness is my undoing. To my shock, I sense tears well up and swallow them away. Self-pity? Really? I’ve never given in to feeling sorry for myself. So why am I feeling so confused? This discombobulated. It was just sex…wasn’t it?

He senses my bewilderment, and his forehead furrows. ‘Losing your virginity is a big change. It’s okay to feel emotional about it.’ When I don’t reply, he sighs. ‘You can talk to me. I’m not going to pass judgement, I promise.’

Droplets of rain hit my face, but I ignore them. That he’s so understanding only makes it worse. Also, I am so embarrassed because I feel like I misled him. ‘Can we talk about something else please?’ I beg.

He searches my features, then nods slowly. ‘I’ll let it go. For now.’

‘Thanks?’ I begin to pull away, but he doesn’t let me.

‘You’re going to be okay, Princess. I’m going to keep you safe.’

‘So, you’ll stay, despite the fact that we slept together?’

He nods.

‘You’re not going to leave me because you feel your judgement is compromised?’

His gaze grows serious. ‘My decision-making capacity is bound to be influenced by the fact that I have…feelings for you, but I’m going to have to deal with them.’

My heart somersaults into my throat. It’s the second time he’s referred to his feelings for me. Oh. God.

This is terrible. I mean, it’s amazing that he has feelings for me. I do too, for him. But…this is getting so complicated. ‘There… There’s something I need to tell you, I⁠—’

The raindrops increase in intensity. He looks up, then takes my hand in his and pulls me along. ‘Let’s get out of here first.’

‘But I… I… I’m enga—’ I have to run to keep up with him. My breath comes in pants. I’m unable to speak and have to focus on not tripping.

By the time we reach the back door to the house, we’re both soaked. He pulls me under the awning. We look at each other and burst out laughing. For a few seconds, our gazes meet. That familiar bubbling sensation squeezes my belly. My pussy begins to throb. The heat in the air turns the raindrops on my skin into steam. A current of need invades my blood stream.

I sway toward him, and he slides his hands down my waist to my butt. His hands squeeze my ass cheeks. I shiver. And when he draws me up on tiptoe, I go willingly. He lowers his chin and presses his mouth to mine. I part my lips, and he deepens the kiss.

I close my eyes and give over to that drugging feeling only he can elicit in me, when suddenly, I’m free. The next moment he’s turned around, so I’m hidden by his broad back. There’s no mistaking the tension that emanates from his big body. He pulls out the phone from his jeans pocket, glances at it, and swears.

“What is it?”

He doesn’t reply. Instead, he pulls open the backdoor and urges me in. “Stay there.”

“Wait, what?”

He shuts the door after me, but not before I notice the gun in his hand. My heart sinks into my stomach. Did he spot something on the security cameras connected to the app on his phone? Through one of the windows, I spot him heading around the house and toward the front door. I head through the house, and when I reach the front door, I crack it open enough to see what’s happening. A car drives up the driveaway and parks in front of the house. Then the driver’s door opens, and a very tall, broad-shouldered man steps out. By his resemblance to Ryot I guess it’s his brother? What’s he doing here?

My question is answered when the door to the front passenger’s seat is flung open. A familiar figure exits the vehicle.

Oh no! My heart sinks from my stomach all the way to my toes. My pulse rate shoots up. I knew I should have told him about my upcoming nuptials sooner. Now, it’s too late. Now, there’s nowhere to hide.

Spine straight. You’re a princess. And I’ve gotta face the music. I can do this.

I fling the door open and walk out, just as Ryot steps on the patio.

The next second, Ryot pushes me behind him. I peek around his broad back to find the man whose calls I’ve been avoiding, holding up his hands. Ryot points his gun at him.

“D-Dont shoot,” he stammers, his chin trembling.

Oh, no! This can’t be happening. “Ryot!” I grab his bicep. “Please, lower your gun.”

Ryot glares at the man standing in the driveway. A nerve pops at his temple. ‘Who’re you?’ His body is rigid. There’s tension radiating from him. I can feel the coiled muscles under his skin. So hard. So strong. So… Mine. And soon, he’s going to hate me.

I step around him. ‘Hello Gavin,’ I say with resignation.

That seems to get through to Ryot, for he stiffens. He still doesn’t take his gaze off the other man. “You know him?” Then, he puts his arm out to prevent me from approaching the other guy.

‘I do.’ I nod.

‘No matter,’ Ryot growls. ‘Don’t come closer. Not until I’ve checked out your background.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous; I’m her fiancé.’