Page 101 of Reins

It’s not that I haven’t thought about it. Every day my love for her is stronger. I think I would have asked months ago if I didn’t worry that she wasn’t ready.

Tears roll down her cheeks as her gaze flicks between my eyes and where my hands cover hers. “I want that more than anything.” Then she focuses on me, doubt clouding her stare. “You really want to keep me?”

It hurts that she still questions her worth. “Forever, Ros. I want to protect you, love you, be with you by your side. I want to keep you safe while you continue to grow and thrive. I’ll be your thorns, you be my rose.”

She chokes on a sob with a trembling chin, frozen as the tears continue to fall.

“Ros, it’s a yes or no, baby. And don’t feel bad if you aren’t ready. There’s no rush.” I pull one of my hands free to cup her cheek, stroking her jaw with my thumb.

“It’s a yes,” she gasps. “Always yes. I just don’t know why you’d want to be stuck with me?”

Frustration wars with the elation surging through me in icy hot waves. With a growl, I tighten my grip behind her head and tug her to me. “How can you make me the happiest man in the world and also have me at the closest I’ve ever been to wanting to bend you over my knee and spank that pretty fucking ass?” I crush my lips to hers and pin her to my chest.

My tongue pushes the seam of her mouth, opening her to taste the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.

When I finally let go, she’s slow to open her sultry eyes, focusing on my jaw where her fingers trace my Adam’s apple.

“Would it hurt?” she asks tentatively before raising her gaze.

Her question takes me off guard. “I’d never hurt you.” My voice cracks at the thought.

She bites her lip but the corner turns up as her lids lower. “Then maybe you should?”

The shock of her whispered words rattles me. Then it blooms with the realization that the level of trust it takes from her really does mean she’s giving herself completely to me.

Reaching down, I cup her thighs, hitching her to grind my hard groin into her belly. “Do you need a little spanking for doubting my love?” I kiss the tip of her nose as she wiggles against me.

“Maybe?” Her hot exhale turns into a giggle when I turn.

“Then put your hands on the tree if you want to be punished.” I will always make sure she knows she’s in control. “Pull one away, I stop.”

She faces the trunk and pauses, glancing at me over her shoulder, then loops her thumbs into her leggings and fucking drops them to her knees before leaning to grab the pine.

I’m leaking in my damn jeans before I even start.

“Spread those legs.” I tap her ankle with my toe, struggling to keep any semblance of authority in my voice.

I never thought that after the hell she’s been through that she would be in a place where she would want this.

Flattening my hand, I rub it down the marks on the round globe of her ass, then drag my fingers up her glistening pussy.

Soaked.

“When do you want the wedding? Weeks or months?” I tap her leg just firm enough to get a small sound from the contact.

She looks back, biting the inside of her cheek. “I don’t know.”

Naughty.

I use a little more force and she jumps. But her fingers stay firmly splayed against the bark. “Weeks or months?”

“I’m still not sure,” she whines.

A grin fights to pull up my unscarred cheek as I run my callused palm over the pink mark, then reach under her dripping cunt to find her clit.

Her cry matches the jolt in her spine when she twitches from my touch.

“Pretty damn wet for someone who isn’t sure.” I flick until she moans, then pull back for another swat.