Rapture and Lace(16)

"I’ve missed you." I pulled away for a breath.

"Not much longer, baby." A devilish twinkle lit his eyes. I nipped at his lush bottom lip quickly and a deep chuckle escaped his throat as his thumb rubbed circles on my bare lower back.

"I’m torn between wanting you to wear this dress forever and tearing it off you right here." Carter adjusted in his seat, presumably to relieve some pressure he may have been feeling below the belt. I grinned at him, glad that I wasn't the only one suffering.

"I love this dress." I ran my hands down the lacy fabric that fell below my knees and pooled on the floor of the car.

"You are so beautiful." Carter's voice lowered and he grabbed my legs and slid them into his lap. He traced a fingertip along the edge of the beautiful Manolo Blahnik's I'd selected. His hand slid up my ankle and then to my calf, rubbing softly but never venturing any higher. I sighed, content. It had been the most beautiful day of my life, and couldn’t have been better even if we'd had a year to plan it. The things Carter could accomplish when he set his mind to it were astounding. A giggle escaped my throat at the thought.

"What?" He looked at me lovingly.

"I was just thinking, the sky's the limit when you put your mind to something, and then I realized that could be the perfect metaphor for our relationship." I trailed off with a smile.

"I always get what I want." He squeezed my calf with a smile. The car slowed as we pulled into the driveway of Carter's home. Our home now. I shook my head at the thought.

"Mrs. Morgan." Carter stepped out of the car and held a hand out to escort me. I smiled up at him, unable to keep the happiness off of my face. He escorted me to the doorstep and then slung me into his arms.

"Carter." I giggled and wrapped my arms around his neck. The arousal started to burn in my stomach; being so close to his body and inhaling the sweet scent at his neck had me aching for him. I nipped along his stubbled jaw and then licked my way under his ear.

"Evangeline…" he whispered.

"I want you," I whispered into his ear. A small groan escaped his throat. He placed me on my feet in the open foyer and held my hand tightly, bringing his other hand up to the back of my neck and pressing his lips to mine in a seductive kiss. He kissed me long and hard. I slid my hand down his narrow waist and around to squeeze his bottom. I was so eager for him and wanted him to know it. He slowed the kiss and then gently pulled away.

With his eyes closed he whispered, "Evangeline," on a breathy sigh. He licked his lips then opened his eyes with a renewed sense of determination. "I had dinner brought in. Come with me."

I frowned and gave a small huff as he hauled me up the stairs. He took me into the master bedroom and embraced my body in a tight hug.

"Thank you for marrying me," he whispered into my ear. Tears sprang to my eyes when I thought about his revelations last night; he thought anyone he loved would leave him. I knew now how much it meant to him when I’d said yes. I knew why he'd been so desperate for me to never leave him, to not run when we'd been together.

His fingers rubbed my bare back softly and then they trailed up to the lacy neckline and began fumbling with the buttons. My heart leapt into my throat at the thought that he had reconsidered after all—maybe we could skip dinner in lieu of some more intimate activities. My hands made their way up either side of his torso underneath his suit jacket.

He unclasped the buttons at the top of the dress and began to pull it down and over my shoulders softly, taking in my slowly exposed skin with lust-filled eyes. He tossed my hair back of my shoulders and ran the silky strands through his fingers.

"I’m so lucky. I'll never forget how lucky I am to have you, Evangeline. Not for one day in my life." He slid the fabric down to just above my chest and stopped. He took a deep breath and then closed his eyes.

"If I go any further, I won't be able to stop, and I want to stop, Evangeline."

My eyes narrowed in confusion. "Carter, I don't want you to stop. I want you to undress me. I want you to make love to me. Please make love to me."

He opened his eyes and they bore into mine. It looked like he was warring with himself.

"I can't eat. I don't want to. I want you. Please let me have you, right now." I traced my fingertips along his strong jaw line and thought of the night at the club when I’d done the exact same thing that first time. This night felt like the culmination of all of the passion and intensity we'd felt for each other from day one. If I had known the night of the fashion party that I would be meeting the man I would fall so deeply in love with, I think my heart would have burst at the thought.