“You… Thank you. God, Ashley, thank you so much. You’re so beautiful and…we’re having a baby. I couldn’t think of anyone I would rather share this moment with,” he said assertively, brushing a lock of hair away from my eyes.
My breath caught in my throat, and I tried to think of some response beyond tangling my hands in his hair and kissing him until we were both breathless. His eyes lingered upon my own, and he brushed his thumb against my lower lip, looking as if there were more he wanted to say. I could only wonder what had him hesitating, but I received my answer when he kissed me again.
It was a sweet kiss, not rushed or forceful. There was passion behind it, but not the wild and frenzied passion I was so used to exchanging with Jensen. It was tender, soft, almost…loving?
“Jensen…” I began, my lip quivering as I realized just how unmistakable this feeling was. Could it be possible that he wanted to be with me…as lovers?
“We have a lot to talk about,” he smiled.
Chapter 15
Ashley
We sat on the sofa in my living room, Jensen holding my hands gently in his own. Where I expected his confidence to slip, he looked as if he had never been more sure of himself in his entire life. I waited with bated breath as he seemed to consider how exactly to express whatever it was he felt. He idly brought my hands to his lips, kissing the back of my knuckles and along each finger.
“Over the months we’ve spent together, trying to conceive this child, I came to a realization. A rather shocking one, one I may not have anticipated.” He paused in his attentive ministrations, drawing me closer until I was all but draped in his lap. “When I told you I was always attracted to you, it wasn’t a lie. I’ve always held a physical desire to be with you, though…admittedly, it was only skin deep,” he explained gently. Hesitating a moment, I glanced toward him hopefully.
“Was?” I repeated, brushing my fingertips along his slightly scruffy jawline. He smiled, leaning into the touch.
“A perceptive one, aren’t you? But you’re right. Now…there’s no denying that what I feel isn’t just lust,” he smiled. My heart pounded in my chest, and I tilted my head to press my lips to his. Jensen ran his hands up and down my back, his touch tantalizing in the most wonderful of ways.
“You…want to be with me?” I asked tentatively, after drawing away just enough to speak. He hummed agreeably, nodding his head and considering me with fond eyes. My first feeling was disbelief, and it was obvious he could see it in my expression. “But, Jensen, you could have your choice of literally any woman in the world,” I argued.
“But I choose you, and you alone. The future mother of my child, and the woman I love. I have no doubt in my heart, Ashley. I love you, in a way I’ve never loved a woman before,” he said gently, pressing our lips together again. I felt like choking up at his earnest confession, and it was somewhat belatedly that I realized I hadn’t yet offered one of my own.
“Oh, Jensen,” I sighed, tilting my head back as he began to kiss a trail down my neck. “I loved you from the start,” I quietly admitted, blushing faintly at his amused laughter.
“You made that rather apparent, my love,” he said, and I could feel his lips curl into a smile against my skin. I huffed a bit indignantly, tangling a hand in his hair and drawing him away from my neck. He gazed at me with an adoring glint in his eye, and I hesitated for a moment before speaking my mind.
“I think this news is worthy of celebration, don’t you?” I said with a sly smile. He perked up immediately at the suggestion, and I couldn’t swallow a startled squeak as he swept me up in his strong arms, carrying me bridal-style toward my bedroom.
“I was hoping you might think so,” he said warmly, gently placing me on my sheets.
I stretched my arms out over my head, languidly arching my chest out, and he watched me with a smile, sitting on the edge of the bed. While I knew he would be eager to get me out of my clothes, he took his time in undoing each individual button on my blouse. His hands were warm, his touch gentle as he meticulously brushed the pads of his fingers against my skin.
“I don’t think I can handle the anticipation,” I whispered needily, trying to aid him in disrobing me. He stilled my hands, looking at me with a playful glint in his eye.
“Oh, but it’ll make it all the sweeter,” he murmured, tracing his fingertips along the edge of my bra as soon as my blouse fell open. It was clear to me in that moment that he planned to gently tease me toward the most blissful experience of my life.
My mouth fell agape as he dipped his fingers beneath my bra, taking a moment to just feel me without the distraction of sight. He ghosted his thumb to my nipple, and it was all I could do to keep from pleading for him to stop teasing. I simply relaxed, my eyes fluttering shut as I enjoyed the sensual attention.
Unclasping my bra, he set it aside as if it were made of the finest silk money could buy before splaying his hands across my chest. He moved purposefully, seeming intent upon exploring every inch of me that he had not properly worshiped yet. I couldn’t deny that it was the most erotic experience of my life, especially with the way his eyes seemed to be drinking me in like fine wine.
Ducking his head, he flicked his tongue out against a nipple, tracing it in circles around the straining bud. What he wasn’t teasing with his tongue, he was tracing soft patterns with his fingertips. It was a light touch, just enough to send shivers down my spine.
“Kiss me,” I implored, and he seemed all too willing to oblige.
He drew away from my nipple, kissing along the plane of my chest, up my neck until he reached my lips. He worked his lips with a passion I’d never felt before, and though sex with Jensen had always been good, I never could have dreamed of what it was like to be together as lovers.
“I love you,” I whispered as he drew away, and he looked down at me with a fond smile.
“I love you too, my princess,” he quietly replied, tracing his hands down my sides until they stopped at the waist of my skirt. He teased his fingertips along the edge of the fabric, and I giggled softly at the sensations before he curled his fingers in the waistband and pulled the skirt down, down off of my legs. I was all but bare, with my panties being the only article of clothing left on me. I sat upright a bit, nudging him away gently.
“Rather unfair that you’re still fully clothed,” I pouted, reaching out to fiddle with the buttons of his shirt. Deciding to take a more assertive role, I pushed him on his back, straddling his waist. He watched quietly, a glint in his eye as I slowly undid every button on his shirt. I slid it off his shoulders, leaning in to kiss the patch of skin above his heart. He shivered at the touch, and I knew I had to be doing something right.
It was something of a relief, not having to worry about making it a purely physical connection. The love I felt for him guided each of my movements, kissing down his chest, nuzzling my face against the bit of fuzz toward the base of his abdomen. He rolled his hips up, urging me to continue, and I smiled up at him as I kissed his bulge through his pants. His manhood twitched in appreciation, and his lips were parted in a breathy gasp.
“Oh, how the tables have turned,” I said teasingly, shifting off of him so that I could slide his pants and briefs off simultaneously. He sighed in relief once his length was freed from the confines of his clothes, and I smiled, leaning down to press a kiss to the head of his manhood. He tensed his hands in the sheets, and I slowly wrapped my lips around him, lowering my head to take him into my mouth.
The taste of his skin was salty, with a hint of bitterness. I took him as deeply into my mouth as I could, moving my head back and forth purposefully. He tensed beneath me, but before I could bring him to sweet release, he tugged me upwards. I smiled cheekily, sliding the damp patch of my underwear against his length as I was drawn into a kiss.
“You’re the sexiest woman on the planet,” he said decisively, his eyes hazy with pleasure. I knew that my expression must’ve mirrored his as he slid a hand between us, slipping my panties down
my hips. I shifted to tug them off, straddling his waist once more. This time, however, there was nothing separating us.
It could probably be said that there was nothing more intimate than trying to conceive a child. I certainly hadn’t known just how different it would feel knowing that he actually loved me. I wanted to shout it to the heavens, praise the powers that be for my good fortune, but there were more pressing matters at hand.
I reached between us, lining him up at my entrance. He rested his hands on my hips, his touch gentle yet encouraging as I lowered myself on top of him. A shuddering breath pulled itself from my lips, and I began to move with as much control as I could muster.
“I never dreamed it could be this good,” I murmured, moving my hips slowly. He could do little but gasp, obviously resisting the desire to plow into me. “You surprise me more with each passing day. I can’t imagine it getting any better than this,” I continued, all the adoration I felt for him spilling from my lips unbidden. He looked simultaneously touched and aroused, reaching up to caress my cheek as I began to move more rapidly against him.
“God, Ashley. I’m so close,” he murmured, his jaw tensing as he began to roll his hips in time with my own. I braced myself against his chest, tossing my head back as I shifted the angle slightly. His entire length filled me, brushing against all of the most tantalizing places at an agonizingly sensuous pace.
“I’m close, too. Oh, Jensen. Oh,” I gasped, slamming our hips together a final time as my inner walls flexed around him. I clenched up as I came, digging my nails into the flesh of his broad chest. He moaned, a low and appreciative sound as he finished inside of me, and I all but collapsed on top of him as I came down from my high, entirely spent.
“You’re so beautiful like this,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around me. I settled comfortably against his chest, blushing at the compliment.
“I love you,” I mumbled against his skin, aching to hear him say it one more time.
“I love you too, darling,” he said, unknowingly obliging me.
With thoughts of our future together swirling in my mind, I drifted into a peaceful slumber.
It was a bit soon to think of marriage, but…
Maybe I’d be his blushing bride yet.
Chapter 16
Ashley
Though I’d spent my share of time entertaining the thought of being Jensen’s girlfriend, I never could have anticipated what the real thing would be like. I told him we could try to keep things professional in the office, allowing him to hide our relationship if he chose, but he seemed not to care who saw our blossoming love. Loving kisses and gentle touches to my stomach became routine in the office, and if he could’ve had his way, he likely never would have spent a moment away from me.
There was still work to be done, however. While I was comforted by the idea of not having to raise our child alone, I wanted to bring something to the table. Something beyond, well, carrying our child. My rapidly growing stomach made it increasingly difficult to remain seated at my desk, as much as I tried, and I spent some time just trying to relieve the pain in my back from the extra weight I was carrying.
It seemed strange that I was gaining so much weight so very quickly. I could only attribute it to the fact that Jensen had been treating me to special dinners whenever possible. We’d been to each of the most expensive restaurants in town, though that night he planned to take me to the place it had all started, the Cerf Blanc. My heart warmed at the thought of revisiting the place our relationship had unofficially started. I planned to have the same thing I’d had that first night, minus the champagne of course.
Jensen had made the reservation weeks ago, booking out the entire restaurant to be our private love den for the evening. He’d had to pull some strings, but I was excited about the prospect of having the whole place to ourselves. He treated me like nothing less than a princess, and though it was a strange shift in my day-to-day life, I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.
Finding myself pacing my office in anticipation, I paused to reach into my desk drawer to retrieve the jar of pickles I’d brought from home. The crunchy dill spears were one of my most intense cravings, so I was reluctant to go anywhere without a jar. I shoveled them into my eager mouth, humming in pleasure at the taste.
Without realizing it was time to leave for the day, I began to hum cheerfully under my breath as I ate, swaying from side to side in giddy excitement.
“Aren’t you cute?” Jensen asked suddenly, and I was so startled I nearly dropped the jar in my hands. I turned wide eyes upon him, my cheeks flaring with embarrassment.
“You shouldn’t sneak up on me like that,” I said balefully, tucking the jar back into my desk drawer. Jensen chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched me fidget around the office. While we were somewhat past the point of me having to be at my sexiest at any given time, I still didn’t want to seem outright frumpy.
“I didn’t sneak, darling. It’s time for our dinner date,” he said warmly, stepping toward me to offer his arm. I pouted a bit, looping our arms together and allowing him to lead me out of my office. I couldn’t be too angry faced with the prospect of food even more delicious than my beloved pickles.
“Oh, I didn’t even pay any mind to the time,” I mumbled, walking alongside him to the elevator. Once we stepped inside, he drew me in for a sweet kiss and I almost shrieked. “I smell like pickles,” I whined, trying to push him away. He grinned cockily, licking his lips teasingly.
“You taste like them too, but I’m not complaining. My little pickle princess,” he said cheekily.
I groaned, slapping at his shoulder in an attempt to get him to stifle himself, though he didn’t oblige. He continued to pepper kisses all along my cheeks, acting like he was going to capture my lips in a kiss before shifting his face slightly to blow a raspberry on my chin. I squealed indignantly, unable to stop the giggles once they started. He looked pleased with himself, and as much as I wanted to slap him, the urge to kiss him was stronger.
“You’re so silly. I never would have guessed,” I said quietly, considering him with a fond smile. He shrugged his shoulders, offering me a sly wink.
“I’m just as surprised. I’ve never had as much fun as I have with you,” he admitted, tugging me out of the elevator as we reached the ground floor. I allowed myself to be gently pulled, falling into step beside him as we exited the building. “Wait on this bench. I’ll come pick you up and then we’ll be on our way,” he said quickly. I parted my lips to argue, but God only knew how tiring it was to walk with the extra weight I was putting on. I resigned myself to sitting on the bench, resting a hand on my stomach.
When he pulled up in front of the building, he leaped out of the car and rushed to open my door for me. I grinned unabashedly, sliding into my seat and fastening my seatbelt. Jensen fussed over me for a moment longer before rushing to get back in the driver’s seat.
“Don’t want to miss our reservation, do we?” I teased, knowing it wasn’t exactly pressing that we got to the Cerf Blanc right on time. We had it booked for the entire evening. Just the same, he pressed the pedal to the metal as we raced down the back streets to the restaurant. “This isn’t the kind of T-bone I was looking forward to,” I yelped as we passed in front of another car in a blur. Jensen looked chagrined, slowing down for the rest of the trip. I reached out to grab his hand, smiling gently.
“I suppose I can’t drive like a madman once our child is here,” he sighed, pulling into the parking lot. The only other cars in the lot were those of the servers, kitchen workers and various other staff.
“It’ll all be worth it, right?” I prompted, winking before getting out of the car. He chuckled, walking slowly toward the entrance so I could properly keep up.
I grabbed his hand just before we stepped inside, and we were swiftly led to the best table in the entire restaurant. It was just in front of a stage where live music occasionally played and surprisingly, Jensen seemed to have arranged for that as well
. I watched with barely contained interest as the musicians stepped on stage with their instruments.
My heart skipped a beat as they began playing a rendition of my favorite song, a ballad from the early eighties. The man singing had the voice of an angel, and I couldn’t help but tear up as I tried to express my appreciation to Jensen.
“You didn’t have to do all this,” I whimpered as he stood from the table, offering me his hand.
“I vowed to myself that I would treat you like royalty. Would you do me the pleasure of having this dance, princess?” he asked smoothly. His eyes glinted, and I couldn’t deny that I was struck by how absolutely charming he was. I gripped his hand, allowing him to guide me in a close and intimate dance in time with the beat of the music. I rested my cheek on his shoulder, allowing my eyes to flutter shut.
Every time I was sure things couldn’t get any better, Jensen seemed to go out of his way to disprove that notion. It was as if I were living in a fairy-tale world where absolutely nothing could go wrong. I was aware that there could be missteps along the way, but I was confident that the two of us could get through anything as long as we were together.
“I want to stay like this forever. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect moment,” I said quietly. Jensen chuckled, extending me into a twirl before drawing me in close again. He rested his chin on top of my head, and we swayed slowly from side to side as the song began to trail off into the final notes.
“Well, the way I see it, we have the rest of our lives to make moments as perfect as this, my sweet pickle princess,” he said teasingly. I laughed out loud, pushing away from him and slipping back toward the table as the band segued into another song.
Protect Me - A Steamy Bodyguard Romance (You Can't Resist a Bad Boy Book 5) Page 34