She flexes her fingers into my skin. “Sorry, but yes there is. And there’s no way you could ever make me do anythin’ I didn’t want to do anyway, but I’ve been thinkin’ about this all week.” She lifts her head, gently nipping my bottom lip. “Iwantthis, Jude. I wantyou. We don’t have to go all the way, but I need?—”
I swallow her words with my mouth, dipping my tongue inside and pouring everything I feel for her into the kiss. Her answering whimpers light my whole being on fire, even more so the moment she pulls us closer together.
“Please,” she begs as I drag my lips along her jaw to bury my face in her neck.
“Anythin’, Em,” I rasp, “anythin’ you want. Can’t deny you anythin’.”
She runs one of her hands along my back, her nails raking over my shirt, sending jolts of pleasure through me. When she tangles her fingers in my hair, gently pulling the strands, it sends a bolt of pleasure straight through my core.
Her hooded eyes lock with mine when I move back to her lips. “Kiss me, hubby. Don’t ever stop.”
Knowing I will never deny this woman anything, I take her mouth again, losing control as soon as our lips touch. With just a kiss, Em is already stoking a fire deep inside of me that’s threatening to consume meandspeed this whole situation up past the point of no return.
Not wanting to rush this, I try to dial down my hunger for her, switching from scorching hot to soft, slow, and gentle. Yet even with me trying to draw this out, the taste of Em on my lips and the feel of her everywhere has already changed the makeup of my being forever.
I’m a livewire that needs her touch…her kisses… I just need herwithme.
Any other time in my life, this would terrify me. With Em, it invigorates me.
“Jude?” she asks as we try to catch our breath.
Bracing myself on one arm, I run my knuckles ever so slowly over the soft skin of her cheek, loving the way her eyes flutter closed as a low-frequency buzz vibrates between us.
My heart has other plans as it beats against my ribs like a battering ram, seemingly fighting its way out of my body and into hers. With her hand resting between my pecs, a slow-growing smile curves her perfect pink lips as she hums happily, pinning me with a stare so hot I swear it could incinerate me on the spot.
Then her grin turns mischievous right before she wraps her legs around the back of my thighs, locking us together and forcing a low guttural growl to claw its way out of my throat.
Slamming our mouths together again, I let go of that last single thread of self-control I was clinging to, wanting her more than ever before. I should’ve known there was no way in hell I’d ever be able to stop once we started.
“Maybe we should…” I try, one last time, albeit half-heartedly. She nuzzles my neck, peppering my skin with small sucks between her plush lips. “Take a breather...” I rush out though there’s absolutely no intention behind the words.
In fact, I couldn’t sound less certain if I tried.
“If that’s what you want,” she whispers, moving to my ear and raking her teeth over the skin.
“I’m thinkin’ you shouldn’t ask me what I want,” I say between pants. “If I had my way, I’d take you to your bed, strip you bare, and worship you from head to toe with everythin’ I’ve got.” The fact I managed to get those sentences out is a miracle in itself.
Her shoulders shake with a half-giggle half-moan before she relaxes back against the couch cushion, pausing her onslaught and gazing up at me.
I want to have her look at me like that for the rest of our lives together.
Already missing her lips on mine, I lean down and touch my lips to hers once more. “Kissin’ you is what dreams are made of. Every time, you turn me into a caveman who needs you more than my next meal.”
“Lucky for me, you give as good as you get, hubby. And just sayin’, if youwerein the mood for neckin’ for a little while longer, I’mdefinitelyon board with that decision.”
My lips twitch. “Oh you would, would you?”
“I must insist.” She squeezes her thighs tighter around me, holding me hostage… though I’m more than willing to be kept by her. Forever, if I had my way. “Because if you’re tryin’ to be a gentleman and thinkin’ weshouldn’tkeep makin’ out, then I’m tellin’ you you’re wrong. I want this, Jude. I wantyou. And I really want to–”
She doesn’t get any more words out because moments after I growl, “fuck it,” I growl, setting about not only giving my wife what she wants but also making sure she never has a reason to doubt just how much I want her.How much I’ll always want her.
So, for the rest of the night, in her living room bathed in flickering fire light, my wife and I forget the rest of the world exists and simply enjoy each other. Touching and tasting. Loving one another without words. And when the time comes she whimpers my name for the first time as she drowns in pleasure and I do the same just from the sight of her, I feel like the luckiest man in the world.
Afterwards, wrapped up together in a cocoon of blankets on the couch and with Em sleeping peacefully in my arms with apeaceful smile on her face, I know there’s nowhere else I ever want to be. Especially not away from my One.
I love my family and cherish all of the holidays we’ve spent together, but this year with Em is by far the best Thanksgiving ever.
Letter from Henley to Marion.