[ Truyện Tiếng Anh] Beauty From Love

Author : Georgia Cates

This is an unprecedented moment. I’m awake before Jack Henry, studying his sleeping figure—it’s a fine one—but that’s not what makes this morning a new experience. I’m waking next to him as my husband.


Wow. I did it. I married a man who propositioned me a year ago, asking me to be hispanion for three months. His idea of our pairing deciphered into something much different back then—an offer of nomittal *** in exchange for the time of my life. Translation? I agreed to be his whore. There, I admit it, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made regardless of what kind of label we place upon it. Now he’s my husband—forever mine—and I couldn’t be happier.


No number fourteen for him. Ever.


We began as strangers—as most couples do—but our beginning was so much moreplicated. That simple word makes me giggle each time I hear or say it now. There’s never a time I don’t recall the freakish control my husband displayed when he told me he was a man who didn’t doplicated. Damn, was he ever wrong. I turned his world on its head. To know I hold that power over him makes me feel invincible. And adored.


Some would consider our inception into this whirlwind a perverted one. Even I did in the beginning, but then we became so much more than either of us intended. Now we’re Mr. and Mrs. Jack Henry McLachlan and this is the beginning of the rest of our lives. We’re setting out into the world to write our own story—in stone, never sand.


I look at my husband’s face and see his eyes flutter beneath his lids, a clear indication...

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He rubs his nose up the length of my neck. “Does that mean you won’t get any more since I’m never leaving again? Even if you toss me out on my keister?”

“Sorry. I’m afraid it’s inevitable. I got my hair from Dad and he was mostly salt with little pepper by forty-five. That doesn’t leave you many years with a youthful-looking husband.”

I’m imagining Jack Henry with gray hair in place of his near black. I’m certain he’s going to be like Richard Gere and only get better looking with age. “So when people see us together ten years from now, they’ll think I’m some sweet young thing on the arm of my sugar daddy?”

He’s laughing. “No, they’ll see our swarm of mini-Laurelyns buzzing around us and know I was smart enough to make you mine while I was still young and had a chance with you.”

“Exactly how many children are in a swarm?”

His lips next to my ear, he whispers, “Several.”

I won’t be distracted by the stir his nearness causes in my groin. “‘Several’ is a number that may vary quite a bit depending on who you’re talking to.”

His fingers lace through the nape of my hair and his thumb rubs that spot below my ear. “You once told me you saw yourself with three.”

“Three is a few—which isn’t several.”

“I know but I’d like to talk you into more.” He runs his nose down the length of my neck again and I feel his warm breath on my skin. He knows how much that turns me on. “And I’d like to persuade you into starting on the first one right now.”

He didn’t want a wife or children when we met. Somewhere in the theory of my future, I wanted a husband—which I now have—but I’d like to wait on the children. I want to enjoy us before a baby is added to the mix. “Why are you so anxious? We haven’t been married a full day yet. Don’t you want time for the two of us?” He rolls onto his back and stares at the ceiling. “What’s going on with you and this rush to start having babies right away?”

He sighs and turns onto his side so we’re facing one another. “Dad’s side of the family has a significant history of heart disease and heart attacks. He’s fifty-five and has already had his first episode. His brother wasn’t fifty when he had his first heart attack. I’m afraid that’ll be me in twenty years, so I feel like waiting to start our family is wasting time I could be spending with our children while I’m still young and healthy.”

This is the reason he hoped I was pregnant. He’s afraid of dying young. I had no idea he had this fear bottled inside him. “You don’t know that you’ll have those kinds of problems.”

“You don’t know that I won’t.” He reaches for the back of my neck and pulls my face to his. “Promise me you’ll think about it.”

This beautiful man wants to create a life with me—little people that look like us. Isn’t that what he once told me he saw when he imagined his future with me? I want him to have everything his heart desires—and this is something only I can give him—so how can I not consider it? “I’ll think about it. Promise.”

“Thank you.” He kisses my mouth so lovingly. It isn’t urgent as many of our kisses are. It’s sweet, and he makes me feel so beloved. “I love you so much, L.”

“And I love you but I need you to promise me you’ll share these fears and concerns. I’m your wife and I want to know everything. Your hopes. Your dreams. And especially your fears.” He needs to see he shouldn’t keep these things from me.

He touches his finger to the tip of my nose. “You. You’re what my hopes and dreams are made of.”

I pull him back on top of me. “You know exactly what to say to get into a girl’s panties.”

He runs his hands over each of my bare hips. “I think you’d need to be wearing knickers in order for me to get into them but you’re not, Mrs. McLachlan.”

“Oops.” I cover my mouth with my fingers. “You’re right. Mr. McLachlan took them off hours ago.”

“You never put them back on and now you’re under me, completely naked.”

I bring my legs up and squeeze him closer. “For good reason. Easier access.”

He rubs the back of my thighs, squeezing them. “Easier access. I like that. You should go without knickers all the time.”

“Maybe I will.”

Jack Henry possesses my mouth as I lower my hands down his back until I have two handfuls of his perfect ass. “I love your … bum.”

He moves from my mouth to the side of my face and then on to that special place below my ear. “My bum, huh?” His voice is a breathy whisper. “Is my Yank wife turning Aussie so soon?”

“Maybe.” His mouth creeps down my neck. “Probably. I see no reason to fight it since I’m here to stay.”

I feel a sudden drop in the plane’s altitude. Jack Henry lifts his face to look at me but he doesn’t appear alarmed. “I think we’re descending.” He leans over to take his phone from the bedside table. “Dammit. The flight is right on time.”

A pilot’s voice comes over the overhead speaker. “We’re beginning our descent into Maui so our flight will be landing as scheduled in approximately fifteen minutes. It’s been a pleasure serving you, Mr. and Mrs. McLachlan. Looks like you’ll be having beautiful weather for the duration of your honeymoon. Maui is currently seventy degrees and sunny with a high of eighty-three later today.”

I make my pouty face. “Only fifteen minutes.”

“I know. It’s not enough time for me to do what I want to you. And we still have to get dressed and be in our seats for the landing.” He gives me one last kiss. “We’ll have plenty of time to do everything we want once we’re on the ground. We’re here as long as we want to be.”

He kisses me chastely and gets up. He’s naked, his back to me as he stands, searching through the suitcase for a change of clothes. I take a few seconds to admire his physique. He’s so beautiful. And all mine.

I get up and walk over to grab something to wear. I opt for the first outfit I find since the clock is ticking. A strappy floral sundress with a fuchsia cardigan packed right on the top. It should look lovely with the lei I’ll be given when we land.

We’re dressed with clean faces and freshly brushed teeth when we buckle into our seats. We have maybe one whole minute to spare, but I plan on indulging in a long, hot bath—hopefully with Jack Henry joining me—once we arrive at our hotel. I hope our suite has a huge shower to accommodate both of us because I have lots of naughty things I want to do to him.

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He holds my hand as the plane touches down and I’m immediately relieved. I grew a little more accustomed to flying while touring with Southern Ophelia but I’m still happier when my feet are on solid ground. “Have you visited Hawaii often?”

“Yes. Quite a few times.” He brings my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “I’m glad your first time is with me.”

I wonder what brought him to Hawaii. A family trip, perhaps? Maybe business. Or possibly pleasure with a companion. A pang of jealousy strikes within. I wish I wasn’t on my honeymoon thinking of such things but I’m curious by nature. “How many times have you visited?”

He answers immediately, “A lot. I couldn’t even take a guess at a number. Dad spent the year working like crazy but he’d take off for two weeks after harvest season so we could come here. It’s my mum’s favorite getaway so she’d bring us even when Dad was too busy to come. We always stayed at the same house—it felt like my second childhood home.”

“So you were always with your family?”

“No. I came once without them.”

“You came alone or with a friend?” I shouldn’t ask since I might get an answer I won’t like.

“Friends.” Plural. What does that mean? Friends, like the ones everyone has or the kind of friends only he has? I mean had.

He’s laughing but I’m not. “Friends?”

“Well, I guess drunken college buddies is probably a more accurate description of the company I kept the time I came without my family.”

Oh—that I can handle. “You and your pals came here to party?”

“Yeah, but only once during break. The guys wrecked the place and the owner was furious. The damage wasn’t minimal. Mum paid for it but threatened to beat me within an inch of my life if it ever happened again.” He’s grinning. “I knew she wasn’t kidding so I never brought them back.”

“I bet Margaret wanted to beat your ass.”

“There was definitely some smacking with a purse. She loves to do that. She knows it doesn’t hurt but it sounds like it does so she enjoys it. And it’s dramatic. She did that to me in front of my mates. God, I was humiliated. But of course, that’s why she did it.” I’m laughing as I imagine my mother-in-law clobbering her college-age son with her handbag in front of his friends. “Have you seen her in action? She should’ve been a professional boxer. She can get at least three good licks in before your brain has time to register that you’re being smacked.”

I love Margaret so much. She’s going to be the best mother-in-law I could ever wish for. I could stand to learn a thing or two from her. “I’m going to have her teach me her moves.”

“Baby, please don’t. I can’t take any more unnecessary roughness. Unless you want to get unruly with me in the bedroom.” He leans over to kiss the side of my neck and my skin instantly prickles while something stirs deep within my belly. He loves doing that to me.

“Down, boy. We’re not at the hotel yet.” He leans back and I can tell he’s fighting a grin. “What? Are you up to something, Mr. McLachlan?”

“Maybe, but it’s a surprise, Mrs. McLachlan. One I can’t wait to show you.”

The car stops only moments before Jack Henry’s warm hand squeezes mine gently. I recognize the sound of an opening car door. I’m guessing the driver is probably waiting for us to get out. “Can you see anything through your blindfold?”

That’s right. My husband has blindfolded me in the car, not the bedroom.

“No. Not a thing.” And I can’t. All I see is total blackness and it’s disorienting. But not as much as what we’re doing now. It’s becoming more and more evident that we aren’t at a hotel. This is something entirely different.

I feel him slide across the seat away from me as he tugs on my hand. “This way, love.”

I step out of the car and hear waves in the distance as I breathe in the salty air. We’re at the beach and I’m confused. I don’t understand why he’d bring me here directly from the airport instead of checking into our room so we could take a hot shower after our long flight. It’s too early to swim. And I’m in a sundress, not a swimsuit.

These are the thoughts of a nagging wife so I hastily put them away. What do I have to complain about? I’m married to the man of my dreams and he treats me like a queen. I could do much, much worse.

“Walk this way.” I take a few baby steps in the direction he’s pulling me. I can’t see but it feels like he’s walking backward as he holds both of my hands. “Don’t be afraid, L. I won’t let you fall. Ever.”

I don’t doubt him for a moment. “I trust that you won’t, but I have an innate instinct telling me I will so it’s hard to ignore.”

“Not much further.”

It’s not sand I’m walking on. It feels firm, like concrete or asphalt, but I take about twenty more steps before we stop. “I’m taking your blindfold off but I want you to keep your eyes closed until I tell you to open them.”

“Okay.”

He removes my blinder and the sun shines directly on my face. I feel its warmth against my skin and see its brightness on the other side of my closed lids. “You can open them.”

The breeze from the ocean blows a strand of hair into my face and lodges itself in the slit of one my eyes. I shake my head to make my hair fall over one shoulder. When I straighten, I look before me and see a magnificent beachfront home.

I wait for him to say something—give me an idea about what we’re doing here—but he doesn’t. “Is this where we’re staying?”

“Yes.” He’s beaming, appearing so proud of himself. Maybe he’s pleased he has pulled one over on me because he has. I completely expected a honeymoon suite in one of Maui’s finest hotels but this is so much better. “Do you like it?”

Now I’m the one grinning like the Cheshire cat because I know this means we don’t have to be quiet. We can lose control without the fear of being heard by others. “Are you kidding me? It’s breathtaking. Who wouldn’t love it?” I wrap my arms around him and squeeze his middle. “This is going to be so much better than a hotel.”

“This is it—the house I was telling you about. My vacation home as a child.”

Oh my. I can’t believe he brought me to the place he thought of as his second home while growing up. “Oh, Jack Henry.”

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“It wasn’t possible for me to come to Maui with my bride and not stay here.”

He would’ve been so limited on time when planning our honeymoon. I can’t believe a place like this would have a vacancy. “Then we’re incredibly lucky it was available for rent on such short notice.”

He beams before turning me so I’m facing the house. Behind me, he snakes his arms around my waist and pulls me tight against him, his mouth next to my ear. “I own it, L. I bought it for you. It’s your wedding gift.” I turn my face toward him and his stubble grazes me. “I want to spend the rest of our lives making happy memories here with you and our children.”

Omigod. Best. Husband. Ever.

2

I once thought I didn’t want a wife and kids but it was because I hadn’t met the right person. Everything is different now—I’m married to the perfect woman and I can’t wait until she becomes the mother of my children.

I’m glad L asked me why I was anxious to begin our family. I’m not sure I would’ve ever been brave enough to volunteer that information. Fear. It’s not something a man likes to admit but that’s the beauty of my relationship with L. I can tell her anything.

She turns in my arms and kisses me between words. “You. Are. Amazing.”

“I’m glad you think so since it seems you’re stuck with me for the rest of our lives.”

“Happily stuck by choice. There’s a difference.”

I watch the sun dance on her face as the palm tree leaves above move in the breeze. A shorter strand of hair at her temple has escaped her grasp and I tuck it behind her ear. “Are you truly happy?”

“It isn’t possible for me to be happier than I am in this moment.”

I grasp her face and look into her golden-brown eyes. I see her sincerity and know her words are true. She didn’t marry me for any reason other than her love for me, so Laurelyn Paige Prescott McLachlan is a woman to be treasured. “Nor could I.”

I lean down to scoop her from the ground and she squeals. “I think it’s time I carried my bride across the threshold. I want you to see the rest of the house.”

I turn the knob and gently push the door open with my foot. L is like a wide-eyed child. I return her to her feet and her head oscillates slowly as she takes it all in.

The floor plan is open so she’s able to see the living room along with the kitchen and dining room. She says nothing and I can’t tell if she likes it or not. “What are you thinking?”

“How much I love you,” she says, propelling herself into my arms for a kiss. “You take care of me,” she says against my mouth. “No one’s ever done that before.”

It’s a shame. She should’ve been cared for by loving parents. But she wasn’t, and it’s shaped her into the person she is today. I don’t know how she’s not utterly damaged but she’s the complete opposite—the strongest person I know. I wonder who she would’ve been if they’d treated her the way they should have.

I give her a quick kiss and take her hand. “Come. I want to show you the rest.”

I begin with the five smaller bedrooms and work our way toward the master suite. I ask her to close her eyes. I cover them with one hand and use the other to lead her into the center of the room. I like this grown-up game of peekaboo. “No peeping.”

“I’m not. And I don’t have X-ray vision so I can’t see through flesh and bone.”

“True.” I take my hand away once she’s facing the bed. “Okay. Open your eyes.”

She softly gasps as she scans the room—our newly remodeled master suite. “I was only able to have this room and one other remodeled since the purchase was so rushed. Do you like it?”

“I love it. I couldn’t have chosen anything more perfect.” She turns in my arms and slides her hands up to my shoulders. “Or ***ier.”

This is my first time seeing it as well and I’m pleased with the results, although it’s very different from our bedroom at Avalon. This is a lot girlier, yet not emasculating.

It’s lighter. The walls are pale beige, almost white. It’s going to reflect the morning sun even with the drapes pulled, so I doubt there’ll be much sleeping late in here. I don’t mind because I’m an early riser, but it could be a problem for L. She loves her sleep.

There’s fabric and upholstery everywhere. Coordinated shades of pale blue, beige, and cream dominate; plenty of candles wait to be lit. It smells heavenly—much like the red currant L loves so much. I don’t have to work hard to imagine what this bedroom suite will look like lit up tonight or how beautiful L will look illuminated by candlelight.

I’m so glad she approves. “I think the designer did a great job. I gave her full control. The only requirement was that she make it romantic.”

“Mission accomplished.” L walks toward the bed and runs her hand down the post. I wonder if she thinks I made a special request for that. I didn’t, but I admit it’s a very nice surprise. “This is absolutely amazing. Makes me want to stay in bed all day—with you.”

“Then I believe I owe Miss Rutledge a bonus for a job well done.” I take her hand and lead her toward the small sitting room currently occupied by a chaise with a side table. It’s not a huge area but it’ll suffice for what I have in mind. “I was thinking this would make a perfect nursery. It isn’t big but I think it’ll hold a crib and changing table. Maybe a rocking chair in the corner.”

She’s quiet as she looks around the room and I fear I may have pushed her too hard, too soon. That’s not my intention at all. I don’t mean to press her. It’s only been an hour since our conversation—and she told me she’d think about trying to have a baby—so I need to back off before I anger her.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think of how that sounded until I heard myself saying it.” I pull her into my arms and kiss the top of her head. “I’m sure I’ve bombarded you with the baby-making talk but I promise I’m not ignoring your need to think it over.”

“It’s okay. You’re being honest with me about what you want and the reason why. I could never be upset with you about yearning to start a family with me.” She twists in my arms so we’re facing one another. “The baby-making part doesn’t scare me. We’ve had a lot of fun practicing, but I worry about the after part. We’ve had so little time together.”

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An hour isn’t even close to long enough. She needs way more time to sort this out. “I think it’s a good idea to put the baby talk on the back burner for now.”

“Agreed.”

I kiss the side of her face. “I have something else to show you.”

We walk the hall toward the other remodeled room. “This is a vacation home and it often houses two families, so it has two master suites.”

“Another romantic getaway?”

I laugh inwardly. “Not exactly.” I grasp the knob. “Close your eyes.”

“This is becoming a habit for you.” She does as I tell her so I open the door and lead her into the second master suite. “You can open your eyes now.”

Her eyes are wide as she assesses her surroundings. Mirrored walls. Overhead lights. A stage. A pole.

She’s grinning so I take that as a good sign. She walks up the steps onto the stage and runs her hand up the golden brass. “Wow. This room is a little presumptuous on your part, Mr. McLachlan. One might assume you have an obsession with pole dancers.”

She has no idea.

I join her on the stage and place my hands on her hips, pushing her backward until she’s pressed against the brass extending from floor to ceiling. “I have an obsession with one.”

She reaches for the button of my jeans and pulls it free. She looks down—and so do I—to watch her skillful fingers push the zipper of my pants down. Then her hands are inside the waistband of my boxer briefs, shoving them down. “I may have my own obsession.” And like a scene worthy of any man’s ***ual fantasy, L drops to her knees before me.

Oh God. My wife is so smokin’ hot. How did I get so lucky?

She looks up at me from her knees, the same way she’s done countless times before, and it couldn’t be ***ier. Until I see her tongue stroke me from base to tip. I want to close my eyes and become totally lost but I can’t stop watching her mouth on me. It’s too ****ing hot.

She goes through a series of motions. Fast. Slow. Soft. Hard. I can’t predict what’s coming next and I ****ing love it.

She’s at it no more than a minute and I’m almost ready to come because she’s too damn good at this, but her mouth isn’t where I want to come. I tap the top of her head. “Stop, L.”

She does and I help my wife to her feet. My hands go fishing beneath her dress where I grasp her almost nonexistent knickers and drag them down her legs. She steps out one foot at a time and kicks the two white lacy triangles aside. She sheds her cardigan and pulls her dress over her head before chucking it across the stage. She’s left wearing only her bra and heels, though not for long. The bra is going, but not the heels. Those stay.

I step back and behold the lovely sight of my bride. Laurelyn is absolutely the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe I get to call her mine forever. I’m a fortunate man.

She gives me a come-hither motion with her finger and I obey. I have no choice because I’m hers to do with as she pleases. This woman owns me completely. “Inside me. Now.”

She reaches over her head and grasps the pole tightly. She lifts her lower body to wrap her legs around me and I understand the position she has in mind. My girl is strong. Most women don’t possess the physical strength it takes to do the things she’s capable of on a pole. “This is new. I like it.”

She frees one hand and pulls my face to hers for an urgent kiss, and I’m again made aware of the physical power she possesses. “Wrong. You’re gonna love it,” she whispers as she sinks down, pushing me deep inside her.

I groan with pleasure and grasp her bum so I can move with her in perfect rhythm. I thrust hard and she matches me evenly. My girl does me ****ing proud but it doesn’t last near as long as I’d like. She brought me close to the edge using her mouth so I’m ahead of her. I know I am. She gave me a huge head start so I slow down—I’m not crossing the finish line without her.

I bring my fingers around to her most sensitive spot. I rub it in no particular order, the way she did when she went down on me. Fast. Slow. Soft. Hard. And I know when her breathing picks up that she’s close. And then it’s over for me as I explode inside her. “I. Love. You. L.”

I’m buried deep inside her and she has no reply for me, but I know why. I feel the ripple of her body tightening around my **** and know she’s too preoccupied with her own climax to respond.

When it’s over for her, she lets go of the pole and wraps both arms around my shoulders. “I love you too,” she says, kissing my mouth. She holds on tightly, trembling. I’m guessing it’s overuse of her muscles since she hasn’t had a workout like that in a while. “I think I’m a wee bit out of practice. I’ll be feeling the results of that little trick all week.”

I don’t want her sore on our honeymoon. There’s way too much I want to do with her.

“You should take a soak in the tub. It’ll help relax your muscles and then I’ll give you a massage when you’re out.”

She looks up at me so adoringly and stretches on her toes to nuzzle my nose. She isn’t tall enough so I lean down and meet her halfway. “Mmm. I was right. You’re definitely the best husband ever.”

“I’m just getting started, babe. You haven’t seen anything yet.”

I carry her to the bath—not because I don’t trust her legs—but because I want to. I set her down and make her sit on the vanity stool. She laughs and says I’m being ridiculous but I don’t care. I can never overdo it when it comes to her comfort.

I turn on the water and the room quickly becomes a sauna. “Check the water to be sure it’s not too hot for you.”

She gets up and walks over to the tub to dip her fingers under the stream. “Perfect.” She slips off her heels, which managed to stay on during the transport here, and she’s instantly at least three inches shorter. “Will you soak with me? I wasn’t the only one exerting my body.”

I had planned on checking in at the vineyards while she soaked but how could I possibly decline an invitation like that? “Absolutely, but let me get your body wash and shampoo first.”

I return with her bath supplies and shed my pants, which somehow didn’t manage to get removed during our ***ual escapade. We step into the tub together. I sit first, per our routine, and then L lowers herself gracefully as ever into her usual spot between my legs so she can lean back against my chest. I revel in the simple feel of my beloved’s skin against mine.

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This is how life should be. No more emptiness in three-month affairs with women I don’t care to know. I can’t believe I once found—whatever the right word is—in what I used to do. It certainly wasn’t happiness or fulfillment. I don’t have a label for it. L is my everything and there’s no going back. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I run my hands along her hips, massaging them under the water. I feel something stuck to one of them. It feels like a sticker and the corner pulls up more and more as I rub so I give it a yank.

She gasps and I immediately know I’ve done wrong. “Jack Henry!”

Oh hell. I think I’m in trouble. “Should I have not done that?”

“No. You shouldn’t have.”

“I’m sorry, L.” I hold up the flesh-colored square and she goes pale. “I thought it was some kind of sticker accidentally stuck on your bum. What is this?”

“It was my birth control patch.”

“Oh.” She’s going to think I took it off on purpose because of the baby talk. She’s probably going to be pissed off at me the rest of our honeymoon—or cut me off so she won’t get pregnant. ****. “I didn’t know. I swear. Do you have another one to put on?” I move to get out of the tub. “I’ll get it for you right now.”

She stops me by grabbing my hand. “I have one left but it’s for next week. I’ll be short one week of hormones so that’s probably as good as not wearing one at all.”

“Please don’t be mad. It was a stupid move but I didn’t know.”

She relaxes against me again and I breathe a sigh of relief. “It’s okay. I told you I started new birth control so I’m sure you assumed it was the pill. I guess I should’ve told you what kind so we’d be on the same page.”

I didn’t know the ramifications of my actions but it doesn’t stop me from feeling as though I’ve wronged her. “I told you I refused to wear condoms on our honeymoon but I will. I deserve that for being stupid enough to yank off that patch without asking what it was first.”

“Baby, it’s okay. You don’t have to do that. Rubbers aren’t fun for you or me. I used a spermicide as backup last night. We’ll just use that the next couple of weeks and I’ll restart the patch next month. I hadn’t been on it long anyway.”

I’m lucky. She could seriously be giving me **** right now. “Thank you for not being angry with me.”

“There’s nothing to be angry about, McLachlan.”

“You say that now but what will your feelings be if you end up with a bun in the oven because I ripped that thing off your arse?”

She leans her head back and tilts her face to kiss my chin. “I would think it takes two to tango and it’s meant to be.”

3

I’m confused. I’ve always associated dark sand with unattractiveness but this isn’t. It’s … breathtaking. “Black sand.” I hear the surprise in my own voice. “This isn’t at all what I expected to see on a Hawaiian beach.”

Jack Henry laughs at me, apparently entertained by my astonishment. “It’s another reason I love this place so much. It’s different from the beach at my Auckland house. Polar opposites.”

I rake my toes through it. “Had I known it was black, I wouldn’t have expected much so I’m glad you didn’t mention it.”

He prepares my lounger, spreading a towel across the cushion. “The lava of an erupting volcano rushes into the ocean and it cools when it hits the water. The waves force it back onto the beach and that’s why the sand is black.”

I sit on the chair. “My husband, the environmental scientist. Who knew?”

Jack Henry repeats the same process on the second lounger and then joins me. He’s wearing my favorite sunglasses and I can see my reflection when he looks my way. “So this little piece of heaven is your private beach?”

“It’s our private beach, Laurelyn. Everything of mine is now yours. You’re going to need to get used to that.”

I unfasten the back of my bikini top and allow it to drop. “Then it’s okay for me to do this?”

“Damn, L,” he laughs while scanning the property for prying eyes. “It’s ours, and it’s private, but that doesn’t stop the occasional beachgoer from stumbling across here.”

“Well, I guess they’ll think they’ve happened upon a topless beach.” I toss my bright red top over and it lands on Jack Henry’s chest. “Because I’m not putting it back on.”

“Damn rebel.”

“Damn right.”

I lie on the lounger, basking in the sun. I love the outdoors; it’s still the only place where I feel completely free. As a child, going outside was my only escape from her. My mom was always hungover—except when she was high—so the house was forever dark, dreary, and cold. I wasn’t allowed to open the curtains for sunlight. The brightness hurt her eyes and prevented her from sleeping all day so she could party all night. Lifting a window for fresh air was out of the question since it allowed her precious, frigid air con***ioning to escape.

Those were bad days. Bad years. I don’t want to think about those times and ruin this perfect moment. The weather is beautiful and I’m soaking in the sunshine. I have my man by my side; therefore, I want for nothing. Everything in the world is right.

“You’re doing some serious thinking over there.”

How can he possibly tell? I turn to look at him. “How do you know?”

He points toward my thigh. “You’re tracing the infinity symbol on your leg with your fingertip. It gives you away every time. ”

I didn’t realize I was doing that, but he did. He always does.

“What’s on your mind, babe?”

Do I brush the thoughts of my childhood away, keeping it to myself so I don’t ruin this perfection? Or do I put it out there so Jack Henry can know a little more about the wretched past that makes me who I am today?

He already dislikes my mom. I’m certain this will only add fuel to his contempt—but he’s straight up asking, so it doesn’t feel right to keep it from him. “When I was a kid, the outdoors was one of my only escapes from my mom when she was high or hungover. I feel my freest when I’m in the sun.” He doesn’t reply and I’m pretty sure it’s because he’s fuming. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I’ve ruined this beautiful moment.”

Beauty from Love
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Our loungers are side by side, close enough that my hand is within his reach. “You haven’t ruined anything.” He strokes his thumb across the top of my hand and it finds its way to my wedding ring. “I’m your husband so I want to know everything. The good and the bad.”

Most of the good has happened since I met him but what about the ugly? Is he really ready to hear that stuff?

“I want to ask you a question about the wedding.”

Sounds like he’s preparing me for something bad. He never tells me he’s going to ask a question. “Okay.”

“Why did you let your dad walk you down the aisle? He’s never been a father to you so I don’t understand how you felt like he deserved that honor.” His voice is oozing with contempt for the sperm donor.

I didn’t wimp out, if that’s what Jack Henry thinks. I’m done with flaking. There’s only one reason I allowed Jake to do it. Irony. “Think about it. He claims me as his daughter and his first official act as my father is to give me over to you—a strong, honorable man who will always take care of me. I thought it was quite fitting.”

“Huh,” he says. “I was worried your mother guilted you into doing it but I should’ve known better. That’s not who you are.”

“She thinks she convinced me. I choose to let her believe that but I have the pleasure of knowing otherwise.”

“My wife, the satirist. I’ll know better than to ever cross you.”

“You will if you know what’s good for you.”

“I’m not mistaken about what’s good for me. It’s you, L. Always you.”

Oh, sheez. Hearing him say that almost makes my bikini bottom melt away.

I get up and take his hands. “You think I’m good for you, huh?” I pull so he knows I want him to slide to the foot of the lounger.

“I know so. No doubts.”

I grin as I push my thumbs inside the band of my swimsuit and shimmy out of it. “I know something else that’s good for you.”

I kick out of the red fabric at my ankles and step closer to Jack Henry. He grabs my ass and I squeal as he pulls me closer. He watches my face as he slides his hand between my legs. “And I also know what’s good for you.”

He rubs his hand up and down, back and forth, in an exquisite torture, before gliding his fingers through my slick center. Yet I know what he’s doing when he avoids my most sensitive area, the spot where I crave his touch most. It’s purposeful on his part because he wants to feel me ride his hand. And I give in because I have no choice.

I grab his wrist and guide his hand upward while rocking my hips against it. I’m worse than any petted cat. And I’m pretty sure he loves it. “More,” I plead.

He crooks his thumb and rewards me by stroking my clit. “My girl is greedy.”

He has no idea.

My head is spinning because I want him so much. “I want you inside me when I come,” I tell him while reaching for his swim trunks. He makes no haste in helping me get them down and then I crawl over him. I sink down hard so he’s deep inside me and he returns his hand to its previous task. “Is this what you want?”

He knows it is. “Yes!”

I move up and down, sliding him in and out, gaining unrestrained pleasure as his hand rubs my clit. I arch my back and thrust my breasts forward as I hold his shoulders. “I want to feel you come all around me, L.”

And I do.

I feel those familiar quivers squeezing Jack Henry while he’s inside me. Seconds later, I recognize the telltale rhythmic quivering and know he’s met his undoing before I ever hear him groan my name.

Nothing beats both of us coming at the same time.

He grabs my face and kisses me hard. When he finishes, he presses his forehead against mine. I think he loves doing that. I know I do because it makes me feel so adored. “You and I are going to have an amazing life together. I’m going to make certain of it.”

“I know.” And I do. There’s not a bit of doubt in my mind. “Wanna go skinny-dippin’?”

“With you?” He sucks my bottom lip into his mouth and then lets it go. “Absolutely.”

I lean closer to the mirror as I apply eyeliner. Jack Henry slinks up behind me to sneak his hand up my sundress and down my panties. I stop lining my eyes and look at his reflection. I’d like to be irritated with him but I can’t be when I see his crooked grin. “You must know this is a good way for your wife to lose an eye.”

“What?”

“Sneaking up to put your hand down my panties while I have a stick near my cornea is never a good idea.”

He palms my bare cheek. “We’ve been here twelve hours and haven’t christened our honeymoon bed yet.”

Good grief, I married a horny bastard. “We consummated our marriage in the sky. We did it up against a pole as soon as we got here. And then got naked at the beach and did it again. We managed all of that in less than twenty-four hours. The bed will have to wait until we get back from dinner.”

“I love the way you say we did it instead of saying we had *** or we ****ed.” He slides his hands around to my belly and sucks my earlobe into his mouth. “It makes you sound so sweet and innocent.”

I’m sweet because I’m not going to let him get a raging hard-on when I already know we’re not christening that bed right now. “No.” I swat his hands away. “We have reservations in forty-five minutes and we’re not going to be late because you messed up my hair and makeup wallowing me around in that bed.”

He sighs but knows I’m right. “Okay.” He leans around and watches my face in the mirror as he presses his partial erection against my bottom. “But I’m only backing down because I plan on ****ing you like a champion as soon as we get back.”

“All right, McLachlan.” I rub my bottom against him since he wants to play like that. “I look forward to being ****ed like a champion.”

He grinds against me. “Mmm … I love hearing you say things like that. Turns me on.”

I could say a lot more but I won’t because it would just end up with us in that bed and I need to finish getting ready. “I love you but you’ve gotta go away so I can finish.”

He holds his hands up in surrender. “I get it. I’m leaving you alone.” He kisses the side of my neck and growls. “But only for now.”

“I’ll hold you to that promise later.”

Beauty from Love
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We arrive at the restaurant and a hostess escorts us down a path lined with lit tiki torches through a garden with waterfalls and tropical foliage. I realize we’ll be seeing a dinner show—a luau—when we’re led to a table with a stage and stunning oceanfront backdrop. I’m not at all surprised to be seated on the first row, obviously the best seats available. My man doesn’t do second rate.

The sun dances just above the water’s surface. We’re seated at the perfect time to watch it set.

I reach under the table for Jack Henry’s hand. “Nothing could be more romantic than this.”

He leans over and kisses the side of my neck just below my ear. “I thought our first night in Maui should be a tra***ional one.” He gestures toward the empty seats next to us. “Which means we’ll share this table with strangers. It’s the way it’s done, I’m afraid.”

“It’ll be fun.”

“Maybe. But if they know what’s good for them, they won’t put wife swappers at this table.”

“Definitely not.” I remember the way Jack Henry put swinger Chris on his ass when he expressed interest in ****ing me. Those were such different times for us. “I don’t need my husband punching anyone in the face tonight.”

“I might not mind an indecent proposal from some swingers.” He moves his hand to my leg and strokes it. “I seem to remember a mighty fine reward for coming to your defense.”

“The compensation is the same if you don’t get into a fight. You’d just be making extra work for yourself.” I grab his hand from my leg and bring it to my mouth for a kiss. “And busted knuckles.”

“Oh. Well, in that case, no sucker punches tonight.”

“Thank you.”

Our tablemates—a husband and very pregnant wife with three young boys and a toddler girl—fill our table to capacity. I have spent much less time around children than Jack Henry but even I know this is going to be entertaining.

His eyes immediately hone in on this picture-perfect family and he slips his arm around me. He gives my arm a slight squeeze and I’m pretty sure I can accurately guess what he’s thinking—that’ll be us one day. And it will be. It’s not a question of if, but when.

“Hello,” the couple says in unison as they assist their children into their seats.

“Hello.” We mimic their greeting.

The wife settles the baby girl into a high chair. “We didn’t realize we’d be seated with anyone but we’ll try to keep the circus to a minimum. Won’t we, boys?”

The boys do a fair job of ignoring their mother so I take that as a bad sign and a likely indicator of the free show to come.

“It’s okay. We’re used to kids.” Jack Henry looks at me and shrugs. It’s a half-truth because he’s very used to children. Me … not so much.

“You must have left yours at home?” the husband asks.

“No. We don’t have children yet. We’re here on our honeymoon.”

“Then congratulations are in order.”

“Thank you.”

We continue the small talk with the couple briefly before the server brings our first round of mai tais. “Wow. That’s beautiful.” It’s a tall, stemmed glass curved in the center, the dark rum collecting in the bottom. Each is garnished with a tiny umbrella, pineapple slices, and cherries with a lovely purple orchid next to a sprig of mint leaf. I can smell the liquor as soon as it’s placed in front of me. I’ll need to show restraint so I don’t get wasted.

“I must admit I don’t feel very masculine with such a pretty drink in my hand.” Jack Henry holds his glass toward mine for a toast. “Here’s to us and a very long and happy life together.”

I touch my glass to his. “Thank you for making me your wife.” I lean over and a place a kiss against his lips.

“Yuck! That’s so gross. I may throw up.” I hear gagging noises from one of the boys across the table, followed by a chastisement and apology from his mother.

I silently pray this isn’t what we have to look forward to during the entire dinner but I soon discover it’s only the beginning. The boys’ antics alternate between booger picking, booger eating, making fart sounds—some, I question the authenticity of—a stunning display of controlled chaos.

Jack Henry squeezes my hand as he leans over to whisper in my ear. “They’re little boys trying to get the attention of my pretty girl. Ignore them or it’ll get worse. Trust me.”

He knows children. I don’t so I take his advice. The night seems to take a turn for the better once I no longer appear preoccupied by the mischievous boys. And the fire-knife show holds their attention, preventing any further performance out of them.

I’m in the midst of clapping for the fire-breather when one of the performers comes into the audience and grabs my hand to take me on stage. I’m surprised because I didn’t see it coming but I should’ve known. Shows like these always select people from the crowd to participate in the performance.

I turn to look back at Jack Henry and see him grinning and clapping as I walk away from the table. He probably volunteered me and paid them to put me in a string bikini so I could dance on stage for him. Horny bastard. I’ll get him for this if I find out he’s behind it.

I’m quickly given directions about my performance while shoved behind a divider to change into an orange bandeau top and green hula skirt. I come out and costume designers surround me—and the others pulled from the audience—to place flowers around our heads and ankles. I’m handed two feathered rattles. “The girls will demonstrate the motions. There will be a series of hand, hip, and foot motions. They’ll introduce them slowly, one at a time—nothing complicated. All you have to do is mimic what they show you.”

My man is so gonna love this.

4

I watch the show with much enthusiasm but not because of a particularly spectacular performance. I’ve attended countless luaus. Although this one is quite good, it’s L’s performance I’m anxious to watch.

The audience members are led onto stage and L is the last one. That places her right in front of our table.

The people range in age from young children to, well, old as dirt. She’s definitely the hottest one in the bunch. I’d say that about her even if she weren’t my wife.

The hula dancers position themselves in front of the audience participants and demonstrate the first motion with their hands. Laurelyn mimics it slowly. Gracefully. Perfectly. They incorporate the hips next and I’m mesmerized by the way her body moves. I think she’s better than her demonstrators. The foot motion is last but I’m already lost in her sensual motions when she peeks over her shoulder at me as she turns. Her body language is unmistakable. She’s gonna let me **** her ever how I choose.

Beauty from Love
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My wife is hotter than hell. Every man—and woman—here knows it, including this guy with the wife and four-point-five kids sitting across from me. He’s rarely taken his eyes off Laurelyn since the moment they were seated at the table. Surely, his wife has noticed, or maybe she hasn’t since he completely turned the childrearing over to her so he could ogle my wife’s tits.

This guy is blatantly staring and it is pissing me off, but I remind myself these aren’t swingers in a club. This guy’s here with his family but he should show respect toward his wife and mine.

I take a cleansing breath and exhale slowly. I’m letting this go because that’s what mature men do. And it’s what L would want from me.

When the show is over, Laurelyn returns to the table, changed back into her sundress. I rise and pull her chair out for her. “You didn’t get to keep the costume?”

“Sorry, McLachlan. They made me turn it in.” She leans over and lowers her voice. “But I’m sure we can come up with something for later.”

Oh yeah. I’m definitely buying this girl a hula costume for the bedroom.

Everyone at the table resumes watching the show—except the ogler. Laurelyn has no idea she’s being violated and I’ve had enough. No husband should have to watch some dick salivate at the sight of his wife’s chest. “They’re a great pair, aren’t they?”

He turns at the sound of my voice and goes pale when his wife asks, “What was that?” His eyes become large as he reaches for his drink. “I said they’re a great pair.” I point at the kids sitting to the left. “Your older boys get along well while the younger son entertains the baby.”

“Don’t let those two fool you,” she says as she gestures toward the rambunctious boys. “They’re a handful. They don’t always get along so well.”

The show ends and I waste no time in leading L toward the car ahead of the crowd. “Wait. I need to go to the restroom.”

I look at the horde around us and know they’re all headed in the same direction. “We’ll be at the house in ten minutes.”

She shakes her head. “My bladder will explode if we get stuck in traffic.”

“I really want to beat this crowd out of here so I can get you home and fulfill my promise.” She crosses her legs and makes a face to convey agony. “But not at the cost of an exploding body part.” I swat her bottom and she yelps. “Go—but hurry—because I have plans for you, Mrs. McLachlan.”

I’m waiting for L and see our dinner companions as they’re leaving. “Did you enjoy the show?” I call out as they walk by. I would never bring his indiscretion to his pregnant wife’s attention, but I can’t resist making the bastard squirm a little. He deserves that much.

He busies himself with one of the children, pretending to not hear me, so his wife answers. “We did. And you?”

“Loved it. It was Laurelyn’s first luau so she especially enjoyed it.”

“Laurelyn. What a pretty name. I’ll have to remember that one when this baby comes—that is, if it’s a girl. We didn’t find out.”

I hope it’s a boy. I don’t want this guy to have any lasting connection to my L. “I’ll tell my wife you said so. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

“You too.”

Laurelyn walks up from the opposite direction of the restrooms and is wearing that mischievous grin I love so much. “What have you been up to?”

She holds up a large shopping bag. “I wanted souvenirs.”

We both know what’s in that bag so I can’t wait to get her back to the house to play dress-up. I grab her hand and lead her toward the area where our driver is to pick us up. “Where’s the fire?”

“In my pants.” That earns me a giggle from my bride but I’m not amused. I’m horny.

We’re out a little earlier than expected, so I’m grateful when I see our driver waiting at the curb in a black Town Car. “That’s us with the hazards on.” I’m used to Daniel’s reliability so it’s nice to have someone do a good job of filling his shoes. Our temporary driver keeps up this kind of service and he’ll earn a nice, fat bonus at the end of this assignment.

“What’s with the hurry?”

I wave the driver off and open the door for L. “I’ll tell you when we’re in the car.”

She’s a woman so she doesn’t get it. I know what’s in that bag and what she’s going to look like in it. She’s going to dance for me—only me—in a hula costume. Probably with nothing underneath. The anticipation has my **** hard as rock.

The car pulls away and I know I have at least ten minutes until we make it home, probably longer when you take traffic into account so I’m in pure misery. I bring her hand to my erection. “This is the hurry. I’m in agony because I want you under me so badly.”

She leans up and removes her cardigan before spreading it over my lap. “If we don’t do something about this, you won’t last a minute once we’re home. I don’t think either of us wants that.” She moves her hand up and slides it down the front of my pants. She grasps my **** in her hand and her thumb strokes the tip, spreading the moisture already there. “I think a little pregame show is in order so we savor the real thing later. Don’t you agree?”

“I couldn’t agree more.” I lean my head back against the seat while L pumps her hand up and down. “God, you’re the best wife ever.”

She leans over to whisper in my ear. “I wish there were a divider. Remember all those naughty things we did in the back of that limo?”

How could I forget? Those were some of the best moments of my life. I grab her head and bring her ear to my mouth. “Hell, yeah. I remember it all. Every touch. Every kiss.”

“You want to know what I remember?” She pumps faster as she talks, bringing me closer to the climax I need so badly. “You exploding inside my body, claiming me. You rubbed your cum into my skin, marking me like an animal, as if I was your possession for no other man to look at. And I loved it.”

That’s it. The first spasm begins, and then the others, followed by a full-on explosion. She doesn’t stop until her hand and my boxer briefs are a wet mess and then she kisses the side of my face. “That’s my boy.”

She takes her hand out of my pants and opens her handbag to fetch a tissue. She wipes her hand and then passes a clean one my way. “Tissue?”

Beauty from Love
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“Thanks.” I take it from her and ease it down the front of my trousers. “Isn’t my girl the prepared one?”

“Looks like I’d better be in case I need to do that again.”

I can’t lie and say it won’t happen again, not with the way she makes me want her.

After we’re back at the house, she has me wait in the bedroom while she gets into character. She’s playful and it’s only one of the many things I love about L.

I’m lighting the last candle in the room when she calls out through the cracked bathroom door, “Close your eyes.”

She likes to do this—have me shut my eyes while she gets in place. It’s all about staging for her. “Yes, ma’am.”

I’m sitting on the edge of the bed and hear the sound of a ukulele begin. It takes several seconds before I recognize the familiar tune of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” coming from her phone.

“Okay. You can look.”

I open my eyes and L is completely decked out in hula gear, feathers and all. Her top is a yellow bikini and it’s lovely against her freshly sun-kissed skin. Her skirt and headpiece are red, yellow, and black. Her long dark hair cascades over both shoulders and she’s the most beautiful hula girl I’ve ever seen. I imagined something similar but the reality is so much better.

She’s mimicking the dance she was taught at the luau, and the raging ***ual urgency I expected isn’t there. This type of dance leaves me feeling much different than when she pole dances for me. There’s something surreal, and so very sweet, about the slow sway of her arms and hips to this particular ren***ion of the song. She looks so pure and deserving of much more than what I promised her I would do when I got her home tonight.

“This is the only Hawaiian song I had in my music library.” She doesn’t miss a beat in her rhythmic dance as she talks.

“Baby, it’s perfect.” And it truly is. It does something to me I can’t explain.

“Each move has so much depth, every dance its own story.” She makes coordinating flowing motions with her arms. “One of the girls backstage told me this is symbolic of a tree swaying in the breeze. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

She has no idea. “It certainly is.” No woman has ever made it look so lovely.

She dances another minute and then shrugs. “That’s it. I got nothing else. I wish I had more of a show for you.”

I put my arms out for her. “Come here.”

She walks to me and I wrap my arms around her waist to pull her close. I put the side of my face just below her chest and she cradles my head with her arms. I feel so much more for this woman than I ever thought possible. My love for her makes me ache deep in my chest. I never want to find out what it would feel like to lose her. “I love you so much, L. I don’t ever want to know the pain of not having you in my life.”

She leans back and tilts my face upward. “I love you and I’m not going anywhere. I’m here as long as you want me to stay.”

I feel like I’ll smother if I don’t have her. “Swear you’ll never leave me.”

She smiles and it feels like a rush of breath expanding my lungs in a moment of suffocation. “I will never leave you.”

“We’ve had a change of plans for christening our bed.” I reach for her phone and pass it to her. “Put that song on repeat and forget what I said earlier. I just want to make love to you—as slowly as you’ll let me.”

She smiles as she thumbs the phone’s screen. “I’m glad you like the song. I wasn’t sure about it.” She puts her phone aside and slides her hands over my shoulders.

“I love it.” It makes me feel good about us. “Dance with me.”

We sway in the middle of our bedroom. I’m in a completely different mindset than earlier. I know L likes my filthy mouth occasionally, but I use it far too frequently. I’m too much of a ****man with her at times. I should touch her gently and speak sweetly to her more often. She’s a treasure—my precious one—and I’d be wise to always treat her as such.

The song comes to an end before beginning again but I’m done with dancing. I take L’s hands in mine and lead her toward the bed. We stop when the backs of my legs hit the mattress and she unbuttons my white linen shirt before pushing it from my shoulders to the floor.

I take the floral wreath from her head and place it on the nightstand before I smooth her stray hairs. I twirl a lock of her long hair around my finger and marvel at how soft it is. “You are so beautiful.”

She blushes and drops her face. It’s still surprising to me how she can be so strong—even seek a career in the spotlight—yet she doesn’t know how to take compliments. I’m certain it’s because she never heard them while growing up. Or from that fool, Blake.

I place my hand under her chin and lift her face. “You better get used to hearing compliments because I plan on telling you often how gorgeous and loved you are.”

5

My eyes are closed and I’m listening to the sound of the waves. I’ve only been awake for a few minutes but the resonance is hypnotic so I’m drifting back into slumber when the bed shifts. My eyes pop open when the bed sheet slides down my body and I feel Jack Henry’s kisses against the bare skin of my lower back. “Are you awake?”

“I am now.”

He runs his hand over the valley where my spine curves inward. “Have I ever told you how much I love this dip?”

Is he kidding? Only like a bazillion times. “I believe you may have a time or two.”

His wet tongue glides upward and I bow reflexively, sending my bottom up from the bed, hitting him against his chest. My hair prickles as goosebumps spread from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. No matter how many times he does this, my body reacts the same. “Good grief. You’d think I’d become immune to that at some point.”

His palm slides up my thigh to my cheek and he rubs it in a circular motion. “Please don’t because I’ll never tire of seeing your body arch like that.”

I relax beneath his touch and his talented hands knead the muscles of my back as they make their way to my shoulders. I haven’t said anything but my body is rebelling after our frolic against the pole yesterday. A massage is very welcomed. “Mmm … you can stop doing that sometime next week.”

His fingers knead in circles and, again, my body erupts into chills. “So you like that, huh?”