her throat increased his excitement. With a racing pulse, he kept his thrusts slow and steady, ignoring the need to ram into her and satisfy the magnificent, torturous lust building inside him.
“Oh, Abe, sweetheart, I love you so much,” she breathed, her hips joining his rhythm and her legs wrapping around him as she approached her climax.
He knew by the rasp of her breath and her frantic squirming that she was about to come. Increasing his pace, he managed a few more fast, hard thrusts before orgasm washed over him at the same moment he felt her erupt in pulsations of pleasure.
Angela cuddled against him, stroking his chest while he ran his fingers through her hair.
“This has been the nicest night of my life,” she said.
“Mine too.”
Gazing at the ring on her finger, she asked, “How does Angela Forbes sound?”
“Sounds great to me.”
“Have you ever asked a woman to marry you before, Abe? Don’t answer that. I don’t want to know.”
“No, Angela. You’re the only woman I’ve ever asked to marry me.”
“Really?”
He nodded and kissed the tip of her nose. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever felt this close to. I’ve never been good at making relationships last, even friendships. Don’t get me wrong. In the Corps we’d die for one another, but it’s not like what you and I have. This is… I have no words for how I feel about you.”
“I know what you mean. When I’m with you, I feel good inside, like you’ve touched a part of me I didn’t even know existed. I had lots of fantasies about what it would be like when Mr. Right came along, but they were all childish compared to what we have.”
“I hope I can make you happy, Angela. You and Polly.”
“You will. I hope I can do the same for you.”
“You already make me happier than I ever thought possible.”
She cupped his face in her hand and drew a deep breath. “Just…”
“What?”
“Just be safe wherever you go, whatever you do.”
He held her gaze. “I love being a Marine, Angela.”
“I know. I’d never ask you to give it up. You’d only end up resenting me.”
“I could never resent you.”
Smiling, she kissed his lips. “That’s sweet, Abe, but you could and you would. I’m smart enough to know it. It’s more than a job to you. It’s part of who you are. I’m proud of what you do.”
“Thanks, darlin’.” He squeezed her tighter. “That’s good to know.”
It was true. She admired Abe and men like him. The Corps meant as much to him as she did, and asking him to give it up or whining because he decided to stay wouldn’t be fair. From the moment they’d met she knew what he was. She didn’t have to stop him that first night when he was going to leave because he wanted to kiss her, nor did she have to write him that letter when he’d left her after that incident in the basement.
“So tell me, Master Sergeant.” She straddled his hips, her hand splayed across his chest as she gazed into his eyes. “Do I get one of those weddings with Marines lined up on either side of me, drawing their swords?”
“If that’s what you want.” He ran his hands up her sides and cupped her breasts. Amusement gleamed in his eyes as he bucked a bit, his hardening cock rubbing against her. “Speaking of swords, I got one right here that can use a special kind of sheath.”
“Maybe I can help,” she purred.
“Darlin’, I believe you’re the only one who can.”
Angela’s eyes closed with pleasure as she curled her fist around his cock and guided him deep inside her warm, waiting pussy.
Chapter Eight
Two weeks before the wedding
“I think that looks just beautiful.” Patricia Franco gazed at Angela who stood in front of a full-length mirror wearing her wedding gown. It was cream-colored satin with a long train decorated with pink seed pearls that matched the pearls sewn along the edge of her veil. “Sweetheart, Abe is such a lucky man.”
“I can’t wait to marry him, Ma.”
“I
Geremie Barme
Robert Barnard
Lexxie Couper
Brian McClellan
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Philippa Gregory
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Anthony Doerr