Time to put her skills to use. Justice would be served on all counts.
Standing tall, she faced the jury box when the judge called her, and she spoke with command and clarity. “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury…”
Chapter 6
Kate sighed as she roused from sleep with a pleasure-drunk grin.
Her bones were jelly, her nerves more relaxed than any time in the past three weeks. And she ached in delicious places. Everything seemed to come together after the verdict, meeting Jack at her house to celebrate, and his promises of roses and orgasms came true. And then some.
One notable absence was the question in her heart she’d carried for countless months—years, honestly. Would he be gone tomorrow?
When it came to Jack, she didn’t want to believe that, not after all they’d shared. She rolled over, reaching for him. The silk sheets beside her were cool and flat.
She bolted up to sitting. “Jack?”
“Right here, baby.”
She angled toward the sound of his voice in the near-darkness. “Everything okay?”
“Perfect.”
“What are you doing?”
“Watching you sleep.” He sat on the edge of the bed, a lighter in hand that he tossed onto the night stand. The flames flickering in her bedroom fireplace gave off a woodsy scent and provided romantic lighting. She sighed, amazed at his romanticism.
“Oh,” she said, breathless from his heart-melting admission. “Why?”
“I like seeing you in bed beside me, knowing you’re mine.”
“You have my heart.” She paused. “What you do with it is up to you.” Could he hear the distress trembling in her voice?
Despite all she’d achieved today—her immense pride and satisfaction and relief when the jury indicted Walter Vervin on all counts of murder with a prison sentence to match—she still felt a lingering uncertainty hanging over her.
She and Jack had vowed their love, but in her experience, that could mean everything. Or it could mean nothing at all.
“Here’s the thing, Kate. I don’t want to worry about whether you’ll be in my life tomorrow, or the next day, or next week. Or next year.”
She shifted uneasily on the mattress, scattering rose petals. “I thought men liked a little mystery.”
Reaching out, he ran a hand over her silhouetted curves. “You always surprise and amaze me. I’m talking about more than that. I’m talking about the future. Our future.”
Since she’d made her career her top priority and Todd left her for it, she hadn’t envisioned herself with anyone for the long haul. Could that vision change because of one person? One incredible man who’d stolen her heart?
Was the love she felt for Jack strong enough to last a lifetime?
In the dim light, she found his eyes. Their dark searing beauty penetrated her. “Promise me something, Kate.”
“Okay…”
“That you’ll trust your heart when you answer my question.”
Her mouth went dry. She forced herself to nod, not sure what to expect.
He produced a small velvet case, revealing a glinting circlet. He took her left hand and slid the diamond ring onto her finger. Heart in his eyes, he asked, “Kate, will you marry me?”
Kate’s heart stopped.
“I know you weren’t expecting this.” Worshipfully, he bent over her hand and kissed the ring on her finger.
To make up for lost time, her absent pulse suddenly kicked up to a frantic beating that slammed her heart against her ribs. She gulped in air.
Jack offered what she’d always wanted, but never let herself believe in. True love. And forever.
When she didn’t respond, he arched an eyebrow. His tone issued a challenge. “You brave enough to handle it whatever our future holds?”
That snapped her spine straight. She could handle anything.
Even facing her deepest fears. In the past, she would’ve rather been alone her whole life than risk it all for one chance to love and be loved in a lasting way. Despite her fearless pursuit of recognition and status, she’d been a coward in her personal life. She’d hidden behind the shield of her career, and profession and political obligations. Unwilling to lay her heart on the line or risk it all.
That time had come.
Would she, could she risk it all?
Jack filled the silence. “It was a diamond that led to my sister’s death and tore my life apart.” When his gaze found hers, it stripped her soul bare. “It’s only right that a diamond is what pulls me back together and makes me whole. With you.”
A rush of love filled her heart and spilled over, blurring her vision. “Oh, Jack…”
He stared into her shining eyes and spoke with quiet reverence. “While I can’t get my sister back, I can focus on the fact that her death isn’t in vain. It brought a killer to justice, and all of this brought me to you.”
Tears spilled over Kate’s lashes, streaking down her face. “You can’t know how much that means to me.”
“I know you need to be shown, not told, Kate. I went to the courthouse today to prove something. I’ve got what it takes to be the man you need—”
“You don’t have to prove anything. You are .” She shook her head as a wave of giddiness swept through her, taking away the last wisps of indecision. “I don’t know why or how. You just are. All I’ve ever wanted.”
The haunting look in his eyes seared her. “Is that a yes?”
She licked her lips, darting her gaze away and back. “Are you sure you want to do this? You’ve put up with a lot. I shut you out, even though I wanted to run to you. I’m awful at sharing my feelings. I’m can’t even put into words how much I need you—”
“Hush.” He settled a finger over her lips, grinning at her excited babble. “I know,” he whispered, cupping her cheeks. “I know.”
Framing her face in his hands, he held her still as his mouth ravished hers. The depth of his sensuality stirred her passion once again. His kisses were fierce with possessive need and genuine longing. He needed her. Every bit as much as she needed him. When he withdrew from her mouth to brush sweet kisses against her lips, she answered his question.
“Yes,” she whispered, smiling. The fear was gone. “I will marry you.”
“Thank God.” His thumbs brushed her cheeks tenderly. His smile lit up her world. “Because I wouldn’t want to learn how to live without you.”
“Neither would I.” It was hard to believe this was actually happening. She’d found the love of her life, and he’d asked her to marry him. She could think of no better way to spend the rest of her days than with this man by her side. And all the steamy nights in store. Sexy thoughts filled into her mind. “I think this victory calls for a celebration.” She ran her hand up the muscled length of his arm.
“What do you have in mind?”
“Spending the night naked in your arms.”
“Glad we think alike. That bodes well for our future.” A mischievous inflection spiked his tone, as he tugged the sheets away. The satin slid down her body like a whispering caress.
Suddenly the sheet was gone, and she was stretched out beneath him.
Moonlight silvered the handsome angles of his face. The intensity in his eyes made her tremble with lust and longing. “Touch me, Jack.”
“Your wish is my command. But not for long. You know I always get my way with you in bed.”
“Life isn’t always about sex, dominance and submission.” Teasing him, she lifted her backside, and he landed a solid swat against her closest ass cheek. “Outside of the bedroom, we’re equals.”
“I respect you more than anyone on this planet, Kate.” He circled her nipple with the feather-light touch of his tongue. The scent of rose petals surrounded them.
His firm lips traced the side of her neck, her cheek, the sweep of her jaw, the shape of her lips parting around sighs. A satiny sensation then traveled over her curves, the scoop of her stomach, the flare of her hips, the mound of her sex. The p
etals of a long-stemmed rose dipped between her spread thighs.
Her hips rolled to encourage the whispering sensations, layers of cool silk over the heat of her damp flesh. She coated the petals with her own dew, hips moving more insistently. He maintained the patient, soft strokes, driving her mad. She ached for the orgasm just out of reach.
“Jack, come to me.”
The bed dipped as he shifted his weight. He settled between her thighs, his position a promise that he’d relieve her pent-up need. He interspersed light, wet flicks of his tongue with the slow journey of damp rose petals gliding against her pussy.
He drew out the sensations rocketing through her. Kate lost count of how many times she nearly came. But he held back, prolonging the intensity of her need for him, need bordering on agony.
“Please. Jack, make me come!”
A growl filled the air. “You know I can’t resist when you beg me.”
Suddenly, he lifted her hips off the bed. He kneeled between her thighs, pulling her legs around his waist. He plunged his cock inside her.
Her back arched high to accommodate his long, hard thrusts. The pillow beside her head disappeared, then she felt its plump cushion beneath her hips a moment later, supporting her in this position. He pumped into her heat, strumming the rose over her clit.
Against backs of her thighs she felt his haunches flex, his hips driving into her. The fast and furious pace contrasted with the maddeningly slow ruffle of petals drifting over her clit.
She moaned. Begged. Pleaded. Her body strove for the summit just out of reach.
A sheen of perspiration glistened on her skin. Just when she thought she was going to pass out from riding the edge of rapture for so long, he plucked a petal from the rose and placed it against her clit, rubbing his thumb over the silk and heat and wetness.
Then he fucked her hard, striving deep, stimulating her inside, teasing her clit outside.
Kate cried out her pleasing, her thighs straining to grasp his waist. She clenched tight as a fevered pitch of orgasm wracked her body. She jerked helplessly, writhing, succumbing to the drenching potency of bliss. She came so hard she forgot to breathe. Lights flickered behind her closed eyes.
Then her lungs heaved in a shuddering breath. Pleasure-tremors rippled through her in the aftermath. She wasn’t sure she would ever stop coming.
“Easy, baby.” His big hands smoothed damp strands of hair back from her face. He shifted positions, covering her with his powerful body. Her pussy responded to the new position, as his cock stroked her g-spot just right, and the endless ripples began all over again. “That’s it. Ride it with me.”
“Yes,” she begged breathlessly.
His strokes turned smooth, his rocking motion slow and even. And he made beautiful love to her. She relaxed and rocked with him until he reached his own climax. His inner caresses were so gentle, so tender and loving, she could’ve made love to him like this forever.
Silence cradled them. His arms wrapped around her, his body creating a soothing shield of safety. He held her close. Heart to heart.
The most beautiful moment of her life.
She never imagined she’d share it with a man who seemed so opposite her. But who fit her so perfectly. She wanted to spend her life loving him. Finding all the ways they fit together, despite the odds, body and soul.
In fact, right now she could picture him in a suit or a tux, her husband, accompanying her to a social or political event. How hot would that be? The trophy wives would drool over him all night. She couldn’t help grinning at the prize she found.
The words that had been chained within her heart were finally free, and so easy to say now. Now that her heart was open, full, brimming with powerful emotion that would last a lifetime. She knew where she belonged. “I love you, Jack.”
“Love you, too, baby doll.” He cupped her face and kissed her tenderly.
“I’m so glad you’re in my life, Jack. I want you now and always.”
My diamond in the rough .
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Her Diamond in the Rough Page 5
