Beauty from Surrender by Georgia Cates Page B

she hasn't been with another man. "Please, look at me."
    I've never been more frightened in my life, but I open my eyes because it's what she's asking me to do. Her face is so serious. I think she's contemplating how to say the words, how to break my heart gently and kill me slowly.
    I stare at her caramel eyes and wait for the verdict as she strokes her hands down my face. "Jack Henry." I hear her say my name and I'm ready to fall at her feet. "There's been no other man since you—not inside my head, my heart, or my body." She reaches for my hand and brings it to rest over her heart. "No other man will ever reside here. It's reserved for you alone."
    I hear the breath I'm holding escape in relief. Words don't have a way of describing the solace I'm experiencing.
    I feel her heart speeding beneath my hand where she's holding it. It's keeping pace with mine perfectly.
    I bring my other hand to her chest and stroke my fingertips across her skin to push the robe away from her shoulders. I lean forward and inhale deeply after I place a single kiss between her bared breasts. She has her own feminine fragrance—despite the scent of my body wash—and it drives me crazy. I can't get enough of it; I've missed it so much.
    I reach for the velour belt around her waist and pull. I part the lush fabric and push it away so I can see her bareness, but simply gazing at her could never suffice. Looking has never been enough when it comes to Laurelyn. I have to touch her. And I do. "You're even more beautiful than I remember."
    I grasp her thighs straddling me and run my hands up until I reach her hips and squeeze. My palm flat against her stomach, I slide it to her chest and back down again.
    I lean forward and take her rosy pink nipple into my mouth and I feel it grow hard as I circle it with the tip of my tongue. She puts her hand behind my head and pulls me closer as she arches her back and drops her head. I hear a moan escape her lips.
    She's naked beneath her robe and squirming against my hard cock. Only the fabric of my pants and undies separates us, but I don't think that will last much longer since it feels like I could potentially split my pants at any moment. I don't think I've ever wanted her this badly.
    In an instant, I'm off the couch and carrying her to the bed, her legs wrapped around my waist as she holds tightly around my shoulders. During our travel from the living room to the bedroom, she pulls her arms out of the robe and lets it drop to the floor.
    I deposit her on the bed and she's entirely naked—except for the diamond star pendant around her neck—and I can't stop the smile that spreads across my face. "You're wearing your birthday gift."
    She reaches up to touch it where it's resting against the dip of her throat. "I haven't taken it off once since the last time you put it on me."
    Bloody hell I love this girl.
    I'm pleases me to no end that she has always kept this piece of me with her while we were apart. I think knowing she wore my gift so close to her heart makes me love her even more—if that's a possibility.
    I lower myself down against Laurelyn and bring our mouths together. I'm desperate to feel her tongue against mine and taste my American girl's sweet lips. She opens her mouth to invite me in and it's better than I remember. Her tongue rolls in waves against mine as they reunite to share an intimate dance they've not experienced in a while.
    My kiss is aggressive because it's been far too long since I've felt Laurelyn. I don't know how to be anything but vigorous when it comes to her. She retreats to catch her breath and I glide my mouth down her neck toward her shoulder. "I love these little patches of freckles. I've missed kissing them."
    She giggles softly and I move my mouth down her chest. Her laughter stops and I hear a sharp intake of air as I suck her breast into my mouth. I hear her groan, "Ohh," as I pull on her nipple until it's hard and elongated. I use my teeth to scrape it gently because