Crime & Passion (39 page)

“I’m the luckiest person in the world,” she
said softly, meeting Donovan’s gaze. “I love you so much.”

He stepped into the water behind her back,
bumping her forward softly with his knees. She complied by
scooching up, water sloshing dangerously close to the edge of the
tub as Donovan sat down.

Madeline sighed with contentment as his
powerful legs surrounded hers and she leaned against his chest.

“I’m the lucky one,” he said, wrapping his
arms around her stomach and crushing her tight against him.

She craned her head back and he closed in for
a kiss. It was soft, tender. A touch she’d never felt from him
before. He sniffled and broke off, turning his head away.

In the candlelight, Madeline saw the drops of
water on his cheeks—they didn’t come from the bathwater. She
reached up and brushed them away, getting his face more wet in the
process. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

“I’m just grateful.” He heaved a heavy sigh.
“I’ve been alone for such a long time. Even with all the dates, the
different women every week, I’ve been so lonely.”

Madeline clutched his forearms in her hands,
not saying anything. Talking about his past women wasn’t ideal, but
somehow she felt he was sharing something important, something he
needed to tell her.

He dropped a kiss into her hair. “Until I met
you, I really thought I was destined to be alone forever. Maybe it
was punishment for not saving Madison or penance for killing Benny.
I don’t know. Every relationship felt empty, meaningless.”

He fell silent and Madeline tried to think of
an appropriate response. “I don’t think it works that way,” she
finally said.

“I know that’s true now.” He pressed his
cheek into the top of her head, as though he couldn’t get close
enough to her. “Lindsey said if I married her, I’d learn to love
her. That’s why I agreed to the engagement in the first place.”

Madeline nodded, more to encourage him to
continue than anything.

“But Lindsey was wrong, and I realized it a
few weeks later. Love can’t follow marriage, at least, not for me.”
He paused and Madeline held her breath, waiting for him to
continue. “Once I found you, everything fell into place. You’re the
woman I’ve been waiting my whole life to find.”

Madeline melted at those words. Warmth filled
her heart until it felt like it would burst. “I’m so glad you found
me.” If the scars from Suzie were the price she paid to have
Donovan, she’d gladly do it all over again. She rubbed her hands
across his thighs where they rested on her legs. “I think I knew I
loved you that first day too, I just didn’t want to admit it.” She
chuckled. “You came on so strong and were such a ladies’ man. I
tried to hate you.”

“God, I was such an asshole. Barging in here
like I owned the place and going in your bedroom without
permission.” A laugh shook his belly, moving her up and down. “It’s
a wonder you saw any redeeming qualities in me.”

“Well, you did bring me tea.” She turned to
kiss his cheek. “And you brought to my mind a great hunting cat,
the way you fiercely paced around—strong and dangerous. I tried to
deny it, but I found that very exciting. I’m surprised
you
persisted. I was quite rude.”

“I knew you didn’t mean it.” He sat up
straighter, forcing Madeline upright and away from his chest. After
twisting her hair in his hands, he pushed it over her shoulder. “I
guess if two souls are meant for each other, they see through the
defenses the other puts up.”

Donovan kissed her shoulder blade and cupped
her breasts in his hands. As he tweaked and twisted the hard
points, a ripple of pleasure raced through her torso, concentrating
between her legs.

His teeth and lips traversed her back and
shoulders, and her body tightened with the thrill of him. Madeline
never knew how sensitive her back was, but she wondered if she’d
climax just from his kisses. At the same time, she wished it would
go on forever, that he would never stop.

As his mouth found the tender spot at the
base of her neck, he stopped exploring the topography of her back.
His tongue went to work and he sucked powerfully. Madeline’s ragged
breaths puffed out, quick and shallow, and she dug her fingers into
his legs. She knew he would mark her, but she didn’t care. It felt
too good.
He
felt too good.

She took his hand in hers, guiding him across
her stomach and between her legs. His fingertips brushed against
her needy spot and he sucked harder on her neck. Spasms of pleasure
zapped through her and her heart pounded.

“Oh, Donovan,
yes
.”

He slipped one finger inside her and another
stroked her most intimate place. Madeline pivoted her hips, bracing
her feet on the rim of the tub and arching her back.

Donovan’s mouth was forced off her neck.
Undeterred, he fastened onto the top of her shoulder, using more
teeth and raising her excitement to fever pitch as heat clenched
her lower body.

The feel of his bulging erection pressing
into her back reminded Madeline she was doing nothing for him. She
wanted him...needed him inside her. She sat up, breaking the
contact of Donovan’s mouth and grabbing his hand to stop its
motion.

“Maddie, what’re you—”

“Shhh...” She twisted awkwardly until she
faced him and kneeled on the bottom of the tub, straddling him and
trapping his thighs beneath her. Madeline stroked his rigid shaft,
still delighted by the size of him. The water flowed through her
fingers, making everything slippery and somehow more exciting.

Donovan sank lower into the water and closed
his eyes. “You feel so good.”

Madeline rose out of the water and scooted
higher onto his body. She ran her hand up the length of him and
guided him to her entrance. Donovan’s fingers spasmed against her
hips as she relaxed her legs and lowered herself onto him,
accepting his erection inch by inch. He filled her to capacity and
an involuntary gasp escaped her lips.

The fuzzy hair on his chest begged to be
caressed and Madeline rubbed her hands against it. She caught his
flat nipple between her thumb and forefinger and pinched it softly.
Donovan groaned as it puckered and he stroked his hands along her
sides.

Madeline grasped his shoulders and flexed her
thigh muscles to push herself away from him, relaxing once more to
pull him inside her. The feeling of power as she controlled the
rate of their lovemaking thrilled her further, and she established
a fast rhythm amidst their heavy breathing and soft moans.

Donovan’s fingers slid between them,
fluttering against her over-stimulated core and bringing her to a
near-frantic state. The excitement was too much to bear. A powerful
orgasm descended on her and she cried out her ecstasy, thrusting
her pelvis against him to take his entire length once again.

Donovan moaned, his breath coming out in a
harsh pant. “Move. I can’t wait. I’m not wearing a condom.”

“No. Don’t stop.” She met his eyes and shook
her head, continuing to rock her pelvis against him. “I want all of
you.”

He closed his eyes, moaning once more. “I
love you, Madeline.” He strained his head up to cover her mouth
with his, groaning into it.

She flexed away from him, bearing down to
take his hardness again and again.

Donovan yelled out and clutched her against
his body, moaning into her ear as his heat poured inside her.

Madeline relaxed against him, her shaky
thighs no longer able to support her weight. She nuzzled into him.
“You’re the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life too.”

***

Donovan helped Madeline dry off, sneaking in
more kisses and caresses under the guise of his ‘help.’ He stroked
her belly and smiled at her. Was it possible they conceived a child
on their first try? He couldn’t believe when Madeline didn’t stop
things. It was a satisfying thought, knowing she pushed aside her
desire for the perfect white wedding. She wanted his baby with or
without that commitment of marriage.

He slipped into clean sweatpants, unable to
keep the smile off his face. Even if she wasn’t pregnant yet, they
had plenty of opportunities to try.
As they say, half the fun is
in trying.

The sun had set while they were in the
bathroom, but Donovan thought ahead and left a lamp on in the
bedroom, set to low.

Madeline walked out first, stopping in her
tracks and turning to face him. “Did you do that for me?” she
asked, pointing to the tea service and flowers sitting on a tray in
the center of the bed.

“I hope it’s still warm.” He winked at her.
“I didn’t think we’d be such a long time in the bathroom.”

She grinned. “Well, if it’s any consolation,
I think you managed to fulfill all my wishes.”

“Maybe not all of them.”
Not yet, anyway,
but soon.

Madeline rubbed her hand across her stomach,
smoothing the purple robe against her flat belly. “You might
have.”

Thoughts of the tea service momentarily
forgotten, he placed his hand across hers. “That’s a bit
frightening and exciting all at the same time. I hope I’m a good
father...I mean, whenever we get pregnant.”

“You’ll be perfect.” She kissed the end of
his nose and rubbed her hand up his back. “You have such a big
heart, and all any kid needs is love.”

“Does it matter I didn’t have any examples? I
don’t really remember my parents and after that...” He
shrugged.

Tears misted her eyes and Madeline turned in
his arms, pressing her body against his. “The fact that you’re
worried about it tells me you’ll do just fine.”

He sighed with relief, her belief in him
shoring up his courage. “Well, I’ve also had Jeremy’s influence
since moving here.”

“See? So you’ll know exactly what to do.”

“We should teach our kids to call Jeremy
‘Grandpa.’”

She nodded emphatically. “I think that is a
great idea.”

“You’re the best, you know that?”

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
“Yes.”

Donovan laughed and kissed her forehead. “Why
don’t you pour our tea before it gets any colder? I’m thirsty after
all that exercise.”

“Did you remember to take the leaves out this
time?” She looked at the tray and wrinkled her nose. “It’s going to
be kind of hard to drink otherwise.”

“Didn’t you hear? I studied the art of tea
while you were in that coma.” He kissed her cheek. “I bet it’s
better than you could make.”

“Really?” She arched an eyebrow. “You mean to
say I should’ve put you on tea duty the last two weeks.”

Donovan shrugged, trying to hide his
excitement as his pulse quickened. “Drink this and see what you
think.”

Climbing carefully onto the bed, Madeline
tucked one leg beneath her. She grabbed the cup nearest her, turned
it upright, and then removed the cover from the teapot. The
light-brown liquid still steamed as she poured it.

Madeline set the tea pot down and turned
slowly to hand him the full cup. “What you waiting for? Get up here
so we can drink our tea and cuddle.”

“I’m waiting to move the tray, and then I
definitely want to cuddle.” He set his tea on the nightstand next
to the bed as Madeline’s hand rested on the other upside down
cup.

Donovan took a deep breath and fell to one
knee. Madeline turned the cup over and lifted it from the tray. The
diamond she uncovered glinted in the lamplight.

A loud gasp came from her and she laid the
cup on the bed, not moving for several seconds. As she picked the
ring up, Donovan didn’t miss the way her fingers trembled. She
twisted on the bed, holding it out to him, her hand jittering
crazily.

“Is this...” Her eyes widened and Donovan
heard her suck in a breath. Her eyes misted over and she blinked
rapidly. “I thought...what...”

At least he’d taken her by surprise. Donovan
took her hand in his, noting his was shaking nearly as hard as
hers. There was no reason for him to be nervous. She was going to
say yes—she
had
to say yes. His life was about to change,
all for the better.

“Maddie.” His voice came out in an
undignified squeak rather than the sexy growl he’d hoped for. He
cleared his throat, trying again. “Madeline...we’ve done everything
about as backwards as we could, but I want to do things right from
here on out.”

He took the ring from her, slipping it onto
her left ring finger. The gold band reflected the soft lighting of
the room and the diamond was perfectly suited for Maddie’s slender
finger.

Her eyes flicked between the ring and him.
She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue and swallowed
audibly.

“I don’t want to spend another second of my
life without you,” he continued. “Will you be my wife?”

Tears glittered in her eyes, slipping down
past the edges. Madeline smiled and it was the most beautiful smile
he’d ever seen. She leapt from the bed and the tea service rattled
alarmingly. Donovan didn’t have time to worry if it spilled as
Madeline pushed him to the floor.

She climbed on top of him, covering him in
kisses. “You were right,” she said, laughing against his mouth.
“That was better than anything I’ve ever made.”

She flopped next to him, leaning half on him
and holding her left hand out in front of their faces. She tilted
it from side to side. “It’s beautiful,” she said. “Exactly what I
would have picked out for myself.”

He chuckled. “Does that mean you want to keep
it?”

“What do you mean?”

“You never officially answered my
question.”

She ran her hands through his hair and smiled
again. “Being your wife will make me happier than I ever dreamed
possible. I love you so much. Of course I’ll marry you!”

Donovan rolled over and hopped off the floor.
He laughed for no reason at all as he helped Madeline to her feet,
just happy to be with her. Luckily, the tea service hadn’t spilled
and he moved the tray to the top of the dresser. He lay down and
Madeline crawled next to him, curling up to fit perfectly against
his body.