what was in her heart. “But I will, and I am.”
For several long seconds, Reaux stared at her, his eyes darkening with emotion. Then he shook his head. “I should’ve told you. Right away. Soon as I found out.”
“Hey, I get why you didn’t.” She gave him a soft smile. “We were having a night. First one like that for the both of us in a long time. It was beautiful and perfect and fun. You wanted to be happy. You wanted to see me happy.”
He pushed away from the desk, came over to her, knelt down in front of her. “I’m so sorry about Tate.”
Tears pricked her eyes. Those damn tears. But at least they were coming now. Healing her as Reaux had said. Helping her see the truth. See the love and happiness and future she could have if she embraced it. “Thank you,” she said, reaching for his hand. “For looking. For getting answers for me.” She threaded her fingers with his. “They may not have been the ones I wanted. But at least I know.”
Reaux’s eyes blazed into hers with heat and intensity. “I love you, woman. You and the cub. I want you as my family.”
She couldn’t speak. Tears only.
“Please don’t kick me out of your life again,” he uttered. “My puma’s fiercely tender heart can’t take it.”
Never, she mused. You’re mine.
And I’m yours.
It was time to show him.
She released his hand. Silently, she stood up and went to the door. With a quick flick of the wrist, she locked it, then turned back to face him. Slowly, sensuously, she started to take off her clothes. She hadn’t planned this, but it was right. So right.
Reaux had come to his feet and was watching her with hooded eyes. With every piece of clothing she removed and tossed over the chair, those eyes darkened. “Here?” he asked, his tone husky and thick with need.
“Can you think of a better place?” she asked, grinning as she slipped out of her bra and panties and stood before him naked.
The snarl that answered her was terrifying. And sexy. And so Reaux she shivered.
He came at her like a predator—the predator he was—scooping her up in his arms and taking her mouth under his. He kissed her hard and hungry, and like he hadn’t seen her in a year. And Karen melted into him, giving herself over to his intensity. He tasted like heaven, sweet and mysterious, and when his fingers pressed into her skin and his tongue invaded her mouth, a gasp broke from her throat.
“That’s right, Karen,” he snarled against her lips. “You’re mine. Say it. Tell me.”
“All yours, Reaux,” she uttered, her skin on fire, her sex clenching and wet.
He kissed her again, a punishing kiss that had her crying out softly, had her gripping his shoulders. She wanted his clothes off too. Needed to feel his skin, against her hands, under her nails. On top of her as he thrust deeply inside of her.
“Goddess, I’ve thought about this,” he uttered, biting at her lower lip, then suckling it deep. “You, naked in my arms. The scent of your pussy in my nostrils.”
His words, so graphic and honest, sent her body into a panic. Heat coursed through her, and she tried to yank at his clothes. Off. Off. Off.
Get inside. Get inside where it’s warm. Where you belong.
Feeling her urgency, he chuckled darkly, hungrily, then set her down on the rug. Above her, the skylight blasted her with warm sunlight. Around her, the green freshness of the bayou lulled her. In front of her, standing at her feet, naked… Cut and chiseled and so long and hard, her mouth watered. God! Goddess! Whoever had created this creature…Reaux. Her body shook with need and anticipation. Mine, she mused possessively, her eyes taking in every inch of him. All mine. Forever.
And then he was down, crouched like the cat he was, starting at her ankles, kissing his way. Karen gasped with each warm, wet press of his lips. The inside of her knees, up her thighs, then pausing for a moment to lap at her wet pussy. Instantly, she spread her legs. Giving him better access. A soft growl exited his throat as he licked her. Slow, drugging licks that sent fire roaring through her.
“Please,” she begged, knowing that with just a few more laps to her sex, she was going come. “Please, Reaux. I want you inside of me.”
He growled his response, but did as she asked, moving