“You really mean that.” The wonder made him stop and look her straight in the eyes.
“Yes. I love you.”
She said nothing for the longest second, and then she attacked, taking him down onto the bed, peppering him with kisses. He rolled them over the massive bed until she was under him once again. Wanting nothing between them, he removed her shoes and yanked her pants and underwear down. It was a matter of seconds to strip his own clothes away, leaving them both naked.
Jamaeh held out her hand. There were no more words as they came together. He stroked her arms and torso, paying particular attention to her breasts before working his way between her thighs. She tasted sweet and spicy. Unable to get enough, he lapped at her slick folds, loving the way she stroked his shoulders before gripping his hair and pulling him closer. Her strong thighs clamped around him as he drove her higher.
“Zaxe.”
“Come for me.” His balls were ready to crawl inside him, were tight enough to burst.
She dug her heels into the mattress and arched up as she cried out. Her entire body trembled as she came. Skull pounding with need, he dove upward, settled between her thighs, and drove deep in one stroke.
She cried out again, clutching at his back and twining her legs around him. He was home. A single tear slipped from the corner of one of her eyes. “Did I hurt you?” He started to pull back, but she tightened her grip around him.
“I didn’t know anything could be so perfect. We’ve had sex before, but this is different.” She stroked a lock of damp hair away from his face. “I love you, Zaxe, Navar, assassin, or whatever name you choose to use.”
His chest constricted and every muscle in his body flexed. “I love you, Jamaeh. Now and forever.” He began to move, slowly at first and then with more speed. Every time he drove into her hot depths, she squeezed him as though she’d never let him go.
They were both panting hard, driving higher and higher. He hooked an arm beneath one of her legs, opening her wide, taking her harder, faster.
“Yes.” She threw her head back, her body jerking as her climax took her. Zaxe yelled her name. He momentarily went blind, seeing nothing but darkness followed by starbursts. He fell on top of her and rolled to the side, keeping her next to his heart, where she belonged.
It took time for him to get his breath back. She recovered before him and was drawing circles on his chest with her index finger. He caught it, brought it to his mouth, and sucked. Her inner muscles rippled over his softening cock, making it hard again. Her laughter washed over him like a cool breeze.
“That was amazing.” He wanted to stay like this forever, but the outside world waited. He stroked the long line of her back, enjoying the way she arched into him.
“Mmm, it was.” Her voice was sleepy.
“I came to find you for a reason.”
She let her hand trail over his hip to clutch his butt. “I know. It was an excellent reason.”
Zaxe laughed, rolling to his back and throwing his arm over his face. Her natural sensuality was such a gift.
“What?”
He lowered his arm and winked at her. “It was an excellent reason, but it wasn’t the only one.”
She gave him a quizzical look.
“My family is waiting in the formal dining room for us.”
“What?” she shrieked as she tried to jump out of bed. He caught her hand and dragged her back.
“They’re expecting us and we’re here.” She motioned to the bed. “Rolling around.”
“It was necessary.” The kiss he gave her was long and deep, a reminder of what they’d just shared. They were both breathless at the end. “Necessary,” he repeated. “They’ll understand.”
She dragged a pillow over her face. “How can I face them? They’ll know what we did.”
He pulled the pillow away and tossed it aside. “Tell them we’re getting married … tonight. That will distract them.”
“Tonight?” She paled slightly and began to nibble on her bottom lip.
“Unless you don’t want to.” He sat up and cupped her face. “Have you changed your mind?”
“Never. You’re sure you want to do it so soon? You don’t want to wait to see how things go?” Translation—see if the people accept her. Even now, she was trying to protect him.
“Tonight. I want all of Zaxus to know you’re mine.”
The brilliance of her smile blinded him. “I want a dress. Do you think there’s time to find one?”
“We’ll make the time.” When she threw herself into his arms, he held her tight. He couldn’t wait to see her in a dress. Even better, he couldn’t wait to get her out of it later tonight.
Epilogue
They sat in Zaxe’s office, the assassins of Gravas. Not all of them, but his family—Sass and Spear, Delphi and Ivar, and his beloved Jamaeh. The king had formally offered his support and a limited trading contract, which would be a huge boon going forward.
They’d come so far in such a short time. Not so long ago, he and his sisters had been assassins for hire, bound by their love for one another. Now they were all free.
“We’ll be back,” Delphi promised. It had been a week since he and Jamaeh had wed. Her wedding dress had been simpler than he’d wanted, but she’d vetoed the overly ornate ones, opting for a simpler embroidered one she’d hastily purchased from a vendor she knew in the market.
Jamaeh, dressed in her usual male attire, but with a few feminine embellishments, sat on the arm of his chair and squeezed his shoulder.
“I will miss you and look forward to your return. Yours too,” he told Ivar.
His brother-in-law laughed. “You’ll welcome me with open arms. I have ideas about trading partners for Zaxus.” As a long-range scout for Gravas, Ivar had visited many worlds and made contacts.
“I look forward to it.”
“We’ll be around,” Sass assured him. When Zaxe looked at Spear, he nodded. The deadly assassin had little to say, but he doted on his wife.
Satisfied his sisters were happy, they said their goodbyes, leaving him alone with Jamaeh. “Where is Esau?” He hadn’t seen his brother-in-law since breakfast.
“He’s with Captain Radar.” The captain had taken it upon himself to watch over the teenager, for which Zaxe was grateful.
“And what about you?” He stood and wrapped his arms around her, breathing in the fresh scent of her soap. “Are you happy?” He’d rushed her, needing her tied to him in every way.
She tilted her head back and smiled. “Very. All I ever wanted out of life was a home and someone to love who’d love me back. I never counted on you.”
“I never counted on you either.” She’d captured him heart and soul, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. The kiss they shared was soft and sweet and filled with love. “I think it’s time for a trip to the market,” he said when they parted. They went there every day, talking to vendors, letting the people see them together. He was hopeful for the future.
“We’ll make it fast today. I have plans for later.” The sensual gleam in her eyes made his heart thump in anticipation.
“I look forward to your plans.” Hand in hand, they made their way toward the door.