Once Forbidden by Hope Welsh

that I no longer want you,” he snapped. “Perhaps a
reminder.” He shoved aside the worry and concern. She needed to remember what
was between them—that was important. Her well-being and his might depend
on her knowing her worth.
    In
a movement so fast it had her head spinning, he lifted her effortlessly in his
arms and put her on her back in his bed. Where she belonged, damn it!  He
opened the knot in the robe and looked at her—seeing her totally without scars
for the first time since the fire. He’d thought she’d been beautiful
before—now, he knew she was that and more. Her skin was exquisite. He ran his
fingers from her neck down to her breast.
    Sarah
moaned. “We shouldn’t do this,” she said.
    His
eyes were green fire. “We should.” He lowered his head and kissed her, driving
his tongue into her mouth and literally taking possession. This wasn’t the time
for hesitant explorations, that time had passed. It was time for Devlin to
stake his claim on her. Leave him? Not bloody likely!  
    Devlin
wrapped his hands now into her long hair, threading his fingers through the
silky mass. He held her head still and drank his fill of her sweetness. In only
a moment, she responded. Soft hands wrapped around his back and he groaned. He
lifted his lips from hers a fraction to speak “That’s right, Sarah. Touch me,”
he groaned.
    Sarah’s
senses were overwhelmed. Just one kiss and she was lost. She tore at his shirt,
wanting to feel his skin against her. Finally, she just reached beneath the
shirt and held him to her.
    When
Devlin lifted his head, his breathing was hard. “You’re mine, Sarah.” The feel
of her small hands holding him to her made him smile. “Tell me.”
    Sarah
froze, her hands stilled on his back. The air was literally filled with
emotion, and she was unable to separate them. She loved him. But he spoke in
words of possession and need. Finally, after a long tense moment, she met his
gaze. “Love me, Devlin,” she whispered, her voice aching. If his passion was
all she could have, she’d take it. Maybe it would be enough, though the thought
of him not loving her hurt so much she wasn’t sure she could bear it.
    It
hit Devlin suddenly. It was there clearly in her eyes. Mixed with the passion
was the uncertainty.
     My
God, she was afraid he didn’t love her? How could she not know? He lowered his
head so their foreheads were touching. Need was riding him hard, but it was
important too for him to let her know how he felt about her. “You’re my soul mate,
Sarah,” Devlin explained, brushing his fingers down her cheek now. “I love you
more than life itself.” He’d only needed to see her so near death to realize
that he loved her. How could he have even wondered for a moment? She was his,
just as he belonged to her.
    Sarah’s
eyes filled with tears. “You love me?”
    Devlin
reached his hand between them and freed himself from his slacks. He spread her
thighs and flexed his hips, pausing just at her entrance. Ever muscle in his
body was tight, and the urge to drive deep inside her was strong. But he held
there, just poised at her soft folds, the heat of her enveloped him, but he
didn’t enter. “I love you.”
    Now,
he flexed his hips, entering her gently. Her soft inner muscles clenched around
him instantly and he groaned. Once seated to the hilt, he paused again. “Tell
me you’re mine,” he repeated. He needed the words.
    Sarah
smiled through her tears. There were still many questions to be answered,
problems to be solved—but all of that could come later—now that she knew he
loved her. “I’m yours,” she whispered. He was long and hard inside her. It
still amazed her a little how well they fit together. Her eyes closed and she
arched her hips. She was rewarded by the quiver of him inside her.
    “What
are you waiting for?” she asked.
    Devlin
smiled. “For you.”
    Sarah
moved her hands to his head and pulled his head down. She smiled against his
lips and