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  “I think you’re trying to skip steps again. That’s one of the reasons that we had a problem after you came back to the planet.” She rolled her eyes. He might plan, but one of the joys of her life was disrupting those. She wasn’t agreeing to any announcement until he said the words she needed.

  He carried her through the house and straight to the bedroom. She steeled herself, not entirely sure what he was going to do right now. Sex wasn’t going to get him what he wanted this time. He didn’t take her to the bed as she expected.

  He carried her over to a large dark-brown dresser and settled her on the solid wooden surface. She clutched at the edge, prepared to hop down. He moved close, widening her thighs to step in between them. She looked at him and down to where his hips pressed against hers, pinning her in place. With both of them fully dressed, they’d probably talk a little at least.

  “Now, we’re going to talk, my Leigh. We’re done with the anger, the apparently required escape attempt and the man stalking you. Now it’s time for things between us to be as they were meant to be from the first.” He unbuttoned her shirt with quick fingers, baring her skin to be touched.

  She gasped, more from the words than him baring her breasts. Before he’d left, she’d always thought they’d marry. When he’d walked away, that dream had died.

  She grabbed his shoulders and pulled his head down to meet hers in a hungry kiss. Her heart slammed inside her chest, joy and anxiety forming a potent mix. If he meant something else other than marriage, she didn’t want to hear it now. She wanted to hold on to the dream. They still had a few issues to handle, but she knew this was right. Jericho’s tongue drove into her mouth in response to her aggression. Her hand cupped the back of his neck. Her teeth scraped across his lips, nipping at the lower one.

  “Charleigh, we need to talk.” Jericho pulled away from her questing lips.

  “Talk later.” She slipped her hand down and cupped his cock through his pants.

  His eyes widened and he stilled. She took advantage of his moment of surprise. Her hand flattened on his shoulder and pushed. He stumbled back a step. She jumped down in the space between them before he could move back into place. Unbuttoning her pants, she pushed them over her hips. As they hit the floor, she glanced up at him. She was probably running out of time. She half expected Jericho to grab her any moment. Tossing her already unbuttoned shirt away as quickly as possible, she caught his eyes. He watched her with a wide smile curving his lips. He hadn’t moved. His eyes ran over her body with obvious hunger.

  Her arms slipped around him. She pulled him tight against her in a quick hug. “Later you can tell me about what you plan and I’ll tell you if I want to go along with it.”

  “Now. What are you afraid of?” Jericho gripped her hips and lifted her back onto the dresser. “Nothing is going to change between now and later.”

  “I don’t know if we’ll agree about what we want to happen or if what you plan is different than what I’m thinking.” She shrugged. She didn’t want to start arguing with him.

  “What were you thinking?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “I thought maybe we could move in together and see how things work. You’ve been away a long time and we’ve both changed. Please, Jericho.” She focused her gaze on his chest. Her teeth worried her lower lip. It wasn’t that she’d stopped wanting him or loving him. She thought they could use the time relearning each other’s habits and needs.

  “No moving in together. We’re past playing games.” Jericho’s voice hardened. He reached between them and freed his cock. He tugged her to the edge of the dresser and then guided his cock to her entrance. “This desire may push us both to the edge, but we’re not turning away now.”

  She closed her eyes as his cock slid deep. Desire coiled in a low, burning ache.

  “I’m not playing a game.” She shook her head. She didn’t know what he felt or what he thought. She tried rocking her hips while he was distracted. “I want you.”

  “We’re not talking temporary, Charleigh. You’re mine, from now until eternity.” He groaned and his muscles tensed. His hands tightened on her hips and held her in place. “What’s stuck in your mind?”

  “You weren’t coming back.” She sighed.

  She hadn’t wanted to say it that baldly and hated the uncertainty she felt. She couldn’t think of any other way to put it. Before she’d always known where she stood with Jericho. Now she wasn’t sure how he felt and that one thing circled in her mind at quiet moments and when she was thinking about the future.

  “Not if I couldn’t give you a good life here. What about that is causing the trouble?” Jericho frowned. He leaned in and kissed her before drawing back.

  “You say that so easily. We wouldn’t be together if you hadn’t come back.” She shook her head, getting angry now.

  “We’d be together. I said I wouldn’t have come back, but you could have been with me out there. You would be with me. I always knew I could make a good, stable life for us out there.” He smiled and his hand cupped her cheek.

  “I’d be with you? My life and family is here. So is yours.” She frowned. She’d left the planet for vacations and business, but home was here.

  “That’s why my plan was always to find a way to succeed enough to be here with you. If not, though, you’d have come to me. Unconscious if necessary. I never intended to give you up.” Jericho pulled her against him in a fierce hug. “Every day I wanted you with me and my only goal was to make it possible one way or another.”

  She closed her eyes as a wave of bittersweet emotion hit her. She didn’t know if she wanted to cry or laugh. Relief, a little sadness and joy mixed with consternation over his assumption that it would be that easy. So much time had been lost because of misunderstandings and pride.

  “Now I’m going to love you and then we’ll talk again about that announcement we’ll make once we return home.” Jericho dropped kisses on her cheeks between words and rolled her beneath him.

  She smiled and combed her fingers through his hair. “You know, you don’t always have to have your way. Living together is kind of expected since we just got together again.”

  “Now, Leigh, that may be expected if it was any other couple, but it would only be an unnecessary delay for us. Everyone knows we were meant to be together.” His mouth claimed hers in a deep, possessive kiss.

  Her hunger flared at the possession in his voice almost as much as from the heated kiss. Her fingers tightened at the back of his neck, keeping him close. She didn’t want any distance between them. His hand slipped between their bodies and his fingers parted the lips of her pussy. He stroked her clit before drawing his fingers down to trace her slick entrance. She shivered and her hips lifted against the touch.

  “How could you think I’d be able to let you go?” He pulled back and stared down at her intently.

  She didn’t respond to his words, but kissed him fervently, letting him feel her intensity. He pulled away, but dropped kisses down her neck and chest. Hot breath puffed over her nipple a moment before his mouth closed over it. He sucked at the tight bud as his fingers worked magic between her legs. She rocked against his hand as the need tightened within her.

  Her hands roamed over his back, shoulders, anywhere she could touch. Her breath quickened with each stroke of his fingers or scrape of his teeth across the sensitive peak between his lips. She moaned and her nails sank into his back.

  “Now, that’s what I needed to hear.” He lifted his head from her breast.

  She wanted to press him right back down to the aching nipple. She didn’t get a chance. His hands grabbed her thighs, tilting her hips. His cock nudged against her pussy before driving deep. She gasped and moaned. The feel of his hard body pressing into her was so sweet. She gripped his shoulders and pulled him down for a kiss.

  His hips drove against hers. Her legs wrapped around him and she wanted to pull him tight and hold him there at the same time that she needed him thrusting fast and hard.

 
; “Harder, Jericho.” She scraped her nails over his shoulder.

  “I love the feel of your pussy gripping me tight, as if it was a fist gripping my cock.” His voice sounded harsh. He trailed nipping kisses along her throat.

  Her inner muscles clenched around him at his words. She bucked up against him. He gave her what she needed. His hips slammed against her. His fingers tugged at one of her nipples, adding to the tightening sensation. She panted and met each stroke. She wanted to savor the intensity and revel in it, but knew she wouldn’t last much longer.

  His hand tightened around her breast and his thumb stroked across her nipple. Her back arched and she shivered.

  “Come for me, Leigh.” His hand tightened, pulling her hips up against him as he thrust hard.

  His order mixed with the pressure of his hips grinding against hers. Release slammed through her. The pleasure shot through her, racing outward from her core. She held on to him, riding out the pleasure. He stiffened and she felt the splash inside her as he came. He groaned. His face pressed into her throat as he shook from the intensity.

  When he finally relaxed, he hugged her tight and nuzzled her neck. He stepped back. She moaned at the feel of him leaving her, but comforted herself with the knowledge that soon they could cuddle together on the bed. She hadn’t forgotten about the talk, but she didn’t dread it. Not after what he’d said. If she’d known he felt that way at the first, she wouldn’t have given him so many problems. Well, maybe a few less, because it still would have taken a little time to trust his words.

  “Now that you’re sated and happy, it’s time to settle the talk about our announcement.” He settled her on the bed and pulled her close to him.

  She hooked a leg over his and nestled her head on his chest. “You think it will make a difference? I still don’t think a rush into marriage is necessary.”

  “It’s as necessary as breathing. Do you think you’ll be satisfied with an affair? Letting everyone think that we aren’t committed to each other? Is it enough for you?” His hand stroked down her back.

  No, it wasn’t enough. She shook her head. He had a point. Without a solid commitment, there were those who would see them as free to date or change their minds. Just the thought of another woman anywhere near him made her want to hit and rip out some hair. He wasn’t free and neither was she.

  “Now you know why that date made me so angry.” He smiled. His eyebrows rose and he looked at her challengingly. “So are you ready to admit that we’re going to make the announcement or do I have to play rough?”

  “Want to bet on how long I can hold out?” She let her hand trail down his chest, but stopped at his hips just to torment him. They both knew how this was going to end. She wanted it and so did he, but the game was so much fun.

  “You’re so stubborn. I do love that about you.” He rolled and pinned her to the bed. “You won’t last the night.”

  She laughed and pulled his head down for a kiss. “Then convince me, Jericho, because I think it’s going to be tomorrow morning sometime before I agree to announce our marriage. Maybe later we can discuss the date.”

  About Rebecca Airies

  Rebecca Airies has always loved to read. Futuristic, the classics, mystery or horror, the genre doesn’t matter as long as the stories capture her interest and take her on an adventure. She soon discovered a love for writing and characters just waiting to tell their stories. Since that time, writing has become an obsession.

  Rebecca lives in the heart of Texas. She loves the outdoors, growing things and working on crafts when she’s not lost in the worlds of her characters. Please feel free to write and tell her what you think; she’d love to hear from you.

  Rebecca welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

  Tell Us What You Think

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  Also by Rebecca Airies

  Between Two Tiron

  Chosen Destiny

  Desperate Measures

  Ellora’s Cavemen: Jewels of the Nile II anthology

  Ellora’s Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction II anthology

  Exile’s Longing

  Fire Princes’ Bride

  Guarded Beginnings

  Hunted Intensity

  In Sorcery’s Hold

  Lisia’s Journey

  Lost Memories

  Primal Attraction: Her Mates’ Embrace

  Primal Attraction 1: Primal Quest

  Primal Attraction 2: Primal Pursuit

  Primal Attraction 3: Primal Encounter

  Protective Affairs 2: Vampire’s Witch

  Protective Affairs 3: Close Contact

  Protective Affairs 4: Uncertain Claim

  Second Chance

  Print books by Rebecca Airies

  Between Two Tiron

  Ellora’s Cavemen: Jewels of the Nile II anthology

  Ellora’s Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction II anthology

  Fire Princes’ Bride

  In Sorcery’s Hold

  Primal Attraction 1: Primal Quest

  Primal Attraction 2: Primal Pursuit

  Primal Attraction 3: Primal Encounter

  Protective Affairs 2: Vampire’s Witch

  Second Chance

  Ellora’s Cave Publishing

  www.ellorascave.com

  Lover’s Return

  ISBN 9781419944055

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Lover’s Return Copyright © 2013 Rebecca Airies

  Edited by Briana St. James

  Photography and cover design by Syneca

  Models: Angelo and Brittany

  Electronic book publication February 2013

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  With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

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  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

  The publisher and author(s) acknowledge the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks, service marks and word marks mentioned in this book.

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  Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com to find erotic reading experiences that will leave you breathless. You can also find our books at all the major e-tailers (Barnes & Noble, Amazon Kindle, Sony, Kobo, Google, Apple iBookstore, All Romance eBooks, and others).

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