She couldn’t focus on his tattoos for very long tonight, though. Not when he was also shockingly erect, his shaft already covered with a thin layer of latex. For several moments, she couldn’t tear her eyes from it, could hardly believe anything that big could ever fit inside her.

But when he raised his gaze to hers, she was rocked by what she saw in his dark eyes. Not just desire, but something fierce.

Possessive.

“I shouldn’t do this.” Each word from his lips was raw. Broken. His face was ravaged with conflicting emotions. “But I can’t walk away this time. I have to take you, Sophie.”

“Yes,” she urged him, “take me. Now.”

He was shaking his head, but even as he did, he was letting go of her hands and moving to cup her hips to pull her closer. When he was nearly against her and she was holding her breath waiting for the precious moment when they finally became one, he stopped and gripped her hips so hard she knew she’d have bruises in the morning.

And then he thrust into her, so hard and deep that his name burst from her lips on a cry of the deepest pleasure she’d ever known. Being claimed by the only man she’d ever truly wanted, was a thousand times better than she’d ever dreamed it would be.

She reached up and put her arms around his neck to pull his face down to hers. Their mouths came together in a desperate kiss as she met him thrust for thrust.

“I love you,” Sophie whispered against his lips, causing Jake to still above her so suddenly, so sharply, the sudden shift of his body actually kicked her over the edge she’d been teetering on again since the first moment she looked up and saw him poised to take her.

“I love you so much, Jake.” She wasn’t afraid to tell him anymore. Not now that he’d shown her how he felt about her with his body, worshipped her with it. “Always,” she vowed even as waves of pleasure washed through every cell in her body.

“Forever.”

As if her words of love had broken the dam that held him immobile, Jake moved back into action, pushing into her so fiercely that the top of her head hit the cushioned headboard behind her as he exploded inside of her at the exact moment her name left his lips.

* * *

Of all the things Jake would never forgive himself for, taking Sophie in such a savage way would never be topped. And yet, even as his self-hatred grew inside of him like a festering virus, she was so soft, so sweet in his arms as she slept that he couldn’t stop himself from breathing in her scent, from soaking up her warmth.

Jake was no stranger to hot sex. He’d been enjoying women of all shapes and sizes since he was a teenager. But sex with Sophie had been so much bigger than anything he’d ever experienced, so much more than just sex.

He’d loved her nearly all his life. Loved her so much, in fact, that he tightened his hold on her even as he faced what had to happen next. He never should have let the sight of her beautiful naked body send him all the way over the edge the way it had. But when she’d unzipped her dress and let it fall to the floor, when he’d finally been given everything he’d wanted for so many years, he’d been unable to fight the beast inside of him that wanted Sophie.

Needed Sophie.

Craved Sophie.

The moonlight streaming in through the windows was bright enough for him to see her face as she shifted with him, her soft mouth curving up into a satisfied, contented smile even in her sleep.

What would he give to be worthy of a woman like her?

Jake carefully moved his arms from around her and slipped from the bed. She made a sound of protest, a small frown appearing between her eyebrows, and he thought for a moment she might wake up and catch him sneaking out.

Open your eyes, princess, he silently urged her.

If she called him back to bed, he wouldn’t hesitate to go back to her, to take her again, to repeat what he couldn’t deny were the best moments of his life. Not just watching her come more beautifully than any other woman on earth, but the rare moments of peace he’d felt when he was holding her in his arms.

Instead, she settled deeper into the pillows, wrapping her arms around one and pulling it close. His chest was so tight he could barely breathe as he quietly pulled on his clothes and packed his bag.

It was time to leave. He’d be back in the city in ninety minutes. Less, probably, because he’d likely be the only car on the road at three in the morning.

But all Jake could do was stand in the middle of the bedroom and stare at Sophie. He knew how soft her skin was now, knew exactly what her curves felt like in his hands, could still hear the sweet little gasps and moans she made as she came for him.

Just as he hadn’t been able to stop himself from jumping her when she was naked and offering herself to him in the living room, he couldn’t stop himself now from moving to the edge of the bed and kneeling down. With infinite gentleness, he ran his hand over her hair, then down to her face. She nuzzled her cheek into his palm even as she slept and he had to close his eyes on a sharp pang in the center of his chest.

One day she’d have a husband and kids. She’d belong to someone else, to someone who would love her and take care of her the way she deserved.

But for a few stolen hours, she’d been his.

* * *

Sophie woke up alone in the big bed at first light, still able to feel the imprint of Jake’s hands, his mouth, on her skin. She listened for the sound of the shower running, but the rental house was suspiciously quiet. Maybe, she tried to tell herself as she sat up, he’d gone out for donuts. Because he couldn’t have just left like that, could he? Last night had meant something, she was sure of it. Otherwise she never would have declared her love for—

Her thoughts stuttered, then stopped entirely, when she realized his clothes, his shoes, his bag were all gone.

He’d left her.

Sophie pushed the sheets back and stepped, naked, onto the hardwood floor. The splendor of Napa Valley rolled before her as she stared out the large bedroom window, but she didn’t see the beauty.

All she saw in the glass was a woman who should have known better than to love the one man who wasn’t capable of loving her back.

He’d tried to push her away, tried to convince her to go, but she’d been so sure there was something more beneath his kiss. Something bigger than just desire, a deeper emotional connection than she’d ever had with another man. The kind of love that existed between Chase and Chloe. Marcus and Nicola. Gabe and Megan.

She’d been wrong.

Chapter Nine

Two and a half months later...