Page 239 of Snaring Emberly
The time we’ve spent together has helped me understand Roman better, along with the past struggles and fears that motivated him to lie.
He told me about the dark days he spent in the judiciary process, having no way to prove his innocence. I learned about the depth of my father’s betrayal and the powerlessness he felt as his family fell apart. Knowing the despair that plagued him during his time on death row brought me to tears.
In turn, I shared stories from my nomadic childhood, the incessant feeling of being hunted, and the constant terror I faced of succumbing to Mom’s heightened paranoia. Those conversations put everything into perspective for Roman, making him commit to always telling me the truth.
He strokes my cheek with a featherlight touch that makes my eyes flutter closed. His seductive voice wraps around my senses like silk. “Let me help induce your labor, baby.”
“What if it doesn’t work?” I whisper.
“Then you’ll get an orgasm that will lighten your mood.”
I crack open an eye, meeting his heated gaze. “And what do you get in return?”
His warm hand stills on my cheek, and he leans in so closely that our faces are mere inches apart. He gazes at me with an intensity that makes my heart flutter, and his warm breath fans against my lips.
“I get satisfaction knowing I made you feel good,” he murmurs, his voice filled with promise. “Do I have your permission?”
My back aches, my feet are swollen, and I feel like I’m carrying the weight of the world. If anyone deserves a moment of pleasure, it’s me.
“Fine,” I say, my pulse quickening with anticipation. “But you’re only using your fingers and tongue.
His grin widens, revealing a set of perfectly white, straight teeth. “As you wish, baby.”
“I can work with that.” I meet his smile with a smirk.
His fingers trail down my neck and glide over my collarbone, igniting sparks across my skin. His lips follow suit, pressing soft kisses against my sensitive skin and causing my pulse to rise.
He reaches the lace cups of my dress. “May I?”
“Please,” I whisper, my heart pounding.
He pulls down the stretchy fabric, freeing my breasts. His kisses continue downward until he sucks one nipple between his lips while his finger and thumb close in around the other.
My back arches in response, and I moan, my thighs tightening. Every nerve in my body comes alive as he rolls one nipple while lavishing the other with gentle licks and soft pulls.
Heat pools low in my belly and the pulse between my thighs pounds hard and fast. I lean back against the backrest, twisting my fingers in his dark hair as I give myself over to his touch.
“Roman,” I say with in a long exhale, my body shivering. “That feels amazing.”
He gazes up at me, his eyes twinkling. “Do you know how much I’ve wanted to make you feel good?”
Panting through my parted lips, I shake my head, not trusting myself to speak. He slides his free hand lower, tracing over the curve of my belly down to where my lace hem gathers at my thighs.
“Every day has been a battle of self-restraint,” he says around my nipple, his voice thick with desire. “But I’m glad I had this time to understand what’s in your heart. Things would have been so different if I’d taken the time to get to know you better.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “Roman, you’ve apologized enough.”
“Never,” he growls against my skin, his breath hot, his fingers sliding between my thighs. “Not until I’ve made things right.”
A sigh slips from my lips. Roman was willing to sacrifice his life to save me and the baby. That’s the kind of grand gesture that doesn’t need words. Every day, he apologizes, and every day, he proves that he’s grown from the man who was blinded by revenge.
He knows I forgave him months ago, even before he rescued me from Galliano’s goons, and he’s apologized enough. After three months of sharing our pasts and deepest thoughts and feelings, he’s completely earned my trust.
“Permission to grovel at your feet?” he asks around my nipple.
“Again?” I ask.
“This time, I don’t think you’ll want me to stop.”