He reached over to the side of the bed and yanked open the mahogany nightstand drawer. Grabbing a box, he shook out a foil packet, tearing it open and sheathing himself.
Excitement swirled through her. She parted her legs, ready to become one with Mikhail, the man she loved.
He traced her moist folds, his touch making her quiver with need. “Please,” she gasped, drawing his head down to hers.
“I want to make sure you are ready for me.” His need-roughened voice inflamed her senses further.
“I am.” She wrapped one leg around his waist, surprised at herself for being so bold.
“So I see.” His chuckle turned into a growl as he thrust inside her.
Amber caught her breath at the feel of him inside her. He surged into her, slowly at first, then faster, harder, his face buried in her neck, kissing her tender flesh.
She gripped his muscled back, wrapping her other leg around his waist. Gasping at the friction they created, her fingernails dug into his skin as he brought her higher and higher.
She cried out, her body quaking with ecstasy. Never before had she climaxed so powerfully.
“Amber.” Electrifying shivers raced through her at the sound of his sexy Russian accent.
He exploded inside her, his whole body shaking with the force of his passion.
She tightened her hold on him, quivering with the aftermath of her orgasm.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself nestled against his chest, his arm encircling her waist, holding her close.
She must have drifted off for a few minutes.
“Lapushka, you are awake.” He smiled down at her, tenderness in his eyes.
She placed her hand on his chest, loving the feel of his strong muscles beneath her palm. Returning his smile, she wondered if now was the time to confess her feelings for him.
“How is your ankle?” He lightly ran his hand down her leg, stopping short of her injury.
“It doesn’t hurt at all.” She hadn’t felt a twinge since he’d kissed her in the living room.
“Good.” He claimed her lips.
Amber reveled in his kiss, his touch, trying to show him with her caresses just how much he meant to her.
“My Amber.” He dragged his mouth from hers, breathing heavily. “I cannot wait any longer. I must tell you how I feel.”
She stilled. Did he really like her curves? Or was he about to tell her he didn’t think they should be together? Telling herself not to think the worst, she held her breath, waiting for his next words.
“I’m in love with you, lapushka, my darling.”
Joy blossomed inside her. Her eyes sparkled with love. Cupping his face, she smiled up at him. “And I’m in love with you, Mikhail.”
Those were the last words she was able to say for a long time. He crushed her to him, kissing her passionately, then making slow, sweet love to her.
“I love everything about you, including your figure,” he told her when they finally came up for air. “You are so sweet, so special, and so desirable,” he finished with a growl, commanding her lips once more, before his mouth delved lower, and lower still. “And I will spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”
EPILOGUE
2 years later
Amber mounted Barney, then waited for her husband to emerge from the barn with his horse. She and Mikhail had been married for just over a year and she’d never been happier.
“Ready?” He led Hugo, his large, silvery-gray gelding over to the corral and expertly mounted.
“Ready.” She smiled at her sexy Russian, and nudged Barney into a walk.
They rode side by side until the track narrowed to the patch of woodland behind the farmhouse. Following Mikhail, her thoughts drifted to the last two years of her life.
After they had made love for the first time, she and Mikhail had been practically inseparable. He’d given her confidence in her curves, and their lovemaking had only become hotter and hotter. He had proposed soon after, and she’d moved into his farmhouse as soon as he’d placed the wedding ring on her finger and they’d returned from their honeymoon to Acapulco.
She still worked at the boutique, and had been able to hire a part-time assistant, which was a boon.
And Mikhail … he was the most wonderful husband in the world. She didn’t think she’d ever get enough of him.
They reached the clearing and dismounted. Mikhail spread a lightweight picnic cloth and gestured for her to sit. Just like their first picnic.
He brought her hand to his lips. “This may be our last picnic for the next few weeks, my Amber.” He frowned. “I have five more horses to train.”
She smiled at his miffed expression. Word of Mikhail’s horse training skills had spread, and he and Cade had become good friends and colleagues, instead of rivals. Horse-owners throughout the area, and even in the next county, brought their horses to either Mikhail or Cade.
“It’s okay,” she soothed. “I’m glad you - we - are doing so well.”
“But we must make sure we have time for each other.” He caressed a strand of her hair.
“We will,” she promised. “I love you.”