And still he played with her.
He was a master at bringing her vibrantly to life.
She raked her hands down his back as he kissed her hip bone, then the indentation it formed.
When he touched her welcoming wetness with his hand, she sucked in a breath, tensing.
"Relax." he murmured.
How could she relax when she could hear the dark intent in his voice? She could feel his breath against her and her pulse accelerated.
The first touch of his mouth sent waves of sensation surging through her.
"Stephen."
He growled against her damp heat, then delved in to pleasure her with his mouth.
She turned her head toward the mattress, her hands grasping the sheets.
She moaned, sighed and careened toward release. Within moments, she trembled against him before sinking back against the mattress, weak and fulfilled.
Seconds later, she watched as he moved up next to her and looked over at a nearby drawer. "Damn it. I just realized I don't have any protection."
"I haven't been with anyone since our affair." She was desperate for him. therwise she’ never have been so direct. Her body was still wet and wanting.
He looked at her questioningly then his eyes kindled.
"With a small child, there hasn't been time for anything." she explained.
‘I’ealthy." he said.
She nodded.
"But you could get pregnant." he went on holding her gaze.
Her heart flipped. "Or not. It’ the wrong time of the month."
The truth was there were times when shed been sad that Jade might not have any siblings. Shed fore-closed other possibilities when she’ married Stephen. Why not take this? her heart whispered.
"We are married." he said, his erection resting against her. "This time it’s you and me in it together, either way."
"We've already made that bargain." she responded in a low voice, though she knew another child hadn't factored into their arrangement.
Her green light was the last encouragement he needed.
His mouth claimed hers, and with his lead, their need for each other was stoked to a blistering height once more.
When he finally sank into her she expelled a breath on a long sigh.
"I know baby." he murmured, soothing her. "Let me give you what you want—what we both need."
She caught his rhythm as effortlessly as she always had. It was a dance they'd always performed well, moving with primal instinct.
He thrust, sending her higher and higher. She clung to him. moaning, reaching, and leaving herself open to feeling.
Then, just when she thought the tension couldn't build up anymore, the coil within her released, and she shattered.
She felt him strain back, thrust one final time, and with a guttural groan, cl**ax after her.
"Everyone, this is Jade." Stephen said, his hand resting on his daughters shoulder.
Stephen’s siblings stepped forward in turn to greet Jade. Megan wet her lips nervously.
All the Garrisons had gathered, including Parker and Anna. Anna had said she’d show up to give moral support, and now Megan was glad for it.
Though Stephen’s family had seen Jade at the wedding, this Sunday-night dinner at the Garrison estate would be their first opportunity to really interact with her.
This was also her own very first visit to the Bal Harbour estate. Megan reflected. She’d never stepped inside Stephen’s parents’ mansion during their fling, but she was here now as his wife and the mother of their child.
She let her gaze travel over her surroundings with a designers practiced eye. The foyer was designed to impress—intimidate even—as was the entire estate.
The double-height foyer was dominated by an immense stone fireplace, before which were arranged various armchairs and sofas. Thick stone Corinthian columns supported graceful archways. To one side, a wide stone staircase led to a second level, where a gallery, bracketed by more stone columns, ran around the perimeter of the room and gave a glimpse of the rooms on the upper level.
Four years ago she’d met all the Garrison siblings at one event or another. Parker, of course, she’d worked for and she and Stephen had partied at Adams nightclub, where shed also met the twins. Brittany and Brooke.
She wished, however, that she’d also met Stephen’s mother back then. The matriarch of the clan had greeted her stiffly at the wedding and now held back, surveying the scene.
When all of Stephen’s siblings had stopped fussing over Jade. Stephen’s mother looked down at her granddaughter.
"Come here, little girl." Bonita said, and after a slight hesitation. Jade stepped forward.
Megan could feel Stephen tense beside her.
She’d dressed Jade in a sleeveless emerald-green dress, tying her daughters hair back with a ribbon. She’d wanted Jade to make the best impression possible. She could deal with rejection for herself, but she wanted Jade to be accepted—embraced even—by the Garrisons.
So far to her relief, all of Stephens siblings had reacted warmly, surpassing expectations that shed tried to keep in check so as not to be disappointed.
Now though, she held her breath as Bonita grasped Jades chin and tilted her face up so she could examine the little girls face.
Seconds ticked by and Megan felt as if everyone else in the room was holding their breath right along with her.
"There's no mistaking the fact you're a Garrison." Bonita stated finally. "The image of your father, in fact."
Though there was no visible softening of Bonita's features, everyone seemed to relax slightly. The lack of censure in Bonita's voice made it likely this evening at least might pass without incident.
"I'm your grandmother." Bonita said. "You may call me Grandmother."
Bonita dropped her hand, and Jade nodded, wide-eyed.
Megan's shoulders lowered. Stephen had filled her in on the fact that Bonita had a drinking problem that had become exacerbated recently. She'd stated that his mother could prove difficult about accepting what were, in her view, a mistress and out-of-wedlock child into the family.
Yet it seemed Bonita's affection for her son had won the day and Megan felt her tension ebb some more.
As people began to mingle and talk, waiting for dinner to be served in the dining room Stephen moved away to speak with Adam, and Brittany approached her.
Stephen’s sister squeezed her arm. ‘I’m so happy for you and Stephen."
Megan put a smile on her face. "Thanks, and likewise for you and Emilio." She looked over Brittany's shoulder. "Where is he by the way?"
Brittany laughed. "Busy with El Diablo."