Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Quint raised his head quickly, turning it toward her ready to snap at her but the words died on his lips when he saw her standing there naked. His manhood responded instantly since it was starving for satisfaction, but it was the ache to hold her, feel her against him that hurt the most. He missed her, but how did he go to her, how did he love her, when she could be the one responsible for Amara’s death?
“Why do you punish me, punish yourself when—”
Anger flared on his face. “When I love you more than I should, more than I have any right to since you could be the one I search for?”
“You have come to know me, Quint. How can you possibly think I would have anything to do with purposely harming another when I am a healer? Is it truly that that disturbs you or is it that you admitted not only to me but to yourself that you love me more than you did Amara?”
He took a step toward her and stopped. “Do not throw my words back at me.”
“Do you regret saying them?”
He ran his hand roughly through his hair. “I spoke the truth yet had no right to.”
“Why? Because you feel you betrayed Amara?”
Quint rushed to stand in front of her. “Enough! I will hear no more.”
“Well, I have more to say,” Shade said and continued before he could order her to be silent. “The only reason you believe you love me more is because Amara taught you what it was to love, to open yourself to it, to embrace it. If you did not love Amara as much as you did, you could never love me as fully as you do now. You may feel you love me more, but it is because you loved Amara that you can embrace our love more generously. You do not betray Amara’s love by loving me, you celebrate the love you had for her and always will. And I am forever grateful to Amara for loving you and opening your heart to love her and for you to be able to love again.”
“Bloody hell, Shade,” he said and grabbed her face in his hands and kissed her.
Shade felt the strength of his kiss deep inside her and felt his wounded heart begin to heal. It was a lingering, heart-pounding kiss or perhaps it felt more intense since it had been too long since their last kiss. It didn’t matter either way as long as he didn’t stop kissing her. Though she didn’t mind when he stopped long enough to shed his garments and drop down on the bed with her.
She sighed and moaned when his hand roamed over her intimately, but she quickly reminded him, “You have been gone from me too long.”
“Far too long,” he whispered, then nibbled at her bottom lip.
She spread her legs, and he settled between them, slipping easily into her, she was so ready for him, and he grew even more excited. Though, he was in no hurry to see it end fast. He wanted to linger in the pleasure, build it, temper it, and build it again until neither of them could stop the pleasure from exploding.
He moved in her slow and easy, stealing kisses as he did, enjoying the way she arched against him seeking to take him deeper, squeeze him tighter. Only then did he move more rapidly and harder against her, forcing moans of pleasure from her. Then he slowed again, easing his thrusts, stealing more kisses, firing her passion.
“I have missed you and have missed this so much,” Shade said between labored breaths.
He kissed her roughly. “Never again. Never again.”
She knew he was promising her that he would never again purposely keep his distance from her, he would never deny her or their love, and it sent her passion soaring.
“I can’t wait any longer,” she called out.
Quint couldn’t either and they exploded in a blinding light of pleasure and love. They clung to each other not wanting to let go until they had no choice. But Quint made sure to take her with him when he rolled off her and he tucked her against him never intending to let her go.
Shade lay there breathless. She wanted to tell him that she loved him, loved how he made her feel, loved what she shared with him, but exhaustion claimed her hard and fast, and she was asleep in no time.
Feeling as if a heavy burden had been lifted off him and more satiated than he thought possible, sleep soon claimed him.
The pain woke Shade, and her hand went to her head. She felt the wetness and realized her wound had opened. She silently admonished herself for not applying more honey to it before she slept. She slipped out of bed as easily and quietly as possible, not wanting to disturb her husband, the day and their lovemaking having exhausted them both.