Chapter 90

All the air had been snatched from my lungs the moment I saw James standing in the doorway. My body instantly reacted to him in a way that had me gladly moving across the room to stand in front of him. When he pressed his lips against my own, I knew I was lost.

I knew I wanted us to take things slow, but God help me...I needed him. I needed to feel closer to him than I had been for the past several days.

The pull within my chest hummed and yanked to the point of feeling unbearable. I was tempted to act on my impulses as a means of easing the ache in my chest as well as between my thighs.

James had been so generous and amiable in giving me the space and time I needed for myself. He hadn’t been harping about the schedule and he certainly hadn’t been greedy with the small intimate touches.

It seemed like whenever he got the chance, James would find a way to show me his affection. Resting an arm around my shoulder, pressing a chaste kiss to my head, pushing hair back from my face, and even caressing the swell of my stomach.

I found myself falling for all of it and deeply wanting more. James must have sensed that longing because when he darkened his gaze and secretly told me to follow him out into the hallway, I got to my feet without a second thought,

And there I was, firmly pressed against the wall while James continuously spread a trail of hot kisses down my neck. The tips of his fingers brushed against the inner side of my thigh, causing my breathing to grow ragged.

“James,” I gasped.

He husked and growled deep from within his chest. “My perfect mate...How long have you been feeling this way? Hm?”

The pads of his fingers brushed over the dampened patch of my underwear, making me push my hips forward.

“L-Long time,” I whispered. “Please...”

My eyes rolled to the back of my head when he tugged the silken material to the side and slid his finger through my slick folds. He thrummed and circled my entrance before pulling back to rub against my clit.

“So wet for me,” he groaned.

He kept my hands pinned above my head where I had no choice but to take in every caress, touch, and glide of his hand. All I could do was move my hips and hope that he would give me what I wanted—what I needed.

A loud, keening noise tore from the back of my throat when James finally thrust his fingers inside and began a tantalizing rhythm that left me breathless. He found that hidden spot inside of me and repeatedly pressed it with each curl of his digits.

A slow burn started to form beneath my stomach. Every thrust of his hand was met with a needy push of my hips.

I struggled to keep my moans to a minimum, not wanting anyone else around to possibly hear us. Then again, James didn’t seem to care about the possibility at all. His focus was solely fixated on me and the pleasure he was ringing out of me.

He could tell that my breathing was becoming broken and labored. The corners of his mouth told me that he knew exactly what his intentions were as I continued to reach toward that peak.

“J-James...I... I can’t...”

“Come for me,” he hushed.

Every nerve in my body imploded in euphoria that left me trembling and shaking to no end. James took my mouth in a heated kiss, muffling any sound that would have echoed off the walls. He drew out my orgasm until my knees were no longer able to support me.

When he gently pulled his finger out from under my dress, I watched with wide eyes as he brought his soaked hand up to his lips.

He licked and hummed in delight. “I’ve missed your taste,” he said with a deviant smile.

I let out a shaky breath and shook my head. “I’ve missed you.”

...

The remainder of the day went by with ease. After James and I shared a much-needed shower and another slow, passionate round of love making in the privacy of our room, we settled in the dining room for a quiet dinner together.

The dinner itself was nothing overly extravagant. Chicken marsala with a fresh garden salad on the side. It was simple. Simple and perfect.

But about halfway through the meal, I started to notice James acting a bit off. “Mia, you know...the marriage contract...

I raised my brows. “Yes, what about it?”

“Well, you see...I, um...”

For some odd reason, it was like he was nervous and almost fidgety. I have never seen a man so tongue-tied in my life. It was very unlike him.

“Mia, I want us to—”

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

I glanced down to check my phone and was unable to recognize the caller ID. James insisted that I answer it.

“Hello?”

A feminine voice came through the speaker. “Hello, is this Mia Johnson?”

“Yes? Who is this?”

“My name is Dr. Fairmont. I’m calling from Rivers Bend Hospital. I have it here that you’re listed under your brother’s emergency contact.”

My heart dropped into my stomach. All the blood drained from my face. “What’s happened to my brother?”

James’ whole body went stiff as stone.

“It appears that your brother has been in a severe accident while on an excavation dig in Egypt. According to what I’ve been told, they didn't have the necessary medical equipment there and decided to fly him back as soon as possible.”

My throat felt dry and tight from the gut-wrenching cry I forced myself to hold back.

“I’m on my way now.”

I ended the call and felt a horrible wave of surreal numbness flood through me. James gathered me in his arms and tried to get me to focus. He must have overheard the conversation and was not willing to waste time. My eyes filled with tears.

“Come on,” he said. “We’re heading there now.”

All I could think about was my brother. ‘I can’t lose what’s left of my family.’