Her channel gripped him like a glove as she straightened. His muscles strained as he struggled to keep himself from thrusting his pelvis, seeking the release that was nearly upon him from the soft pulsations. What was it about her that turned him into a fumbling novice? But then he couldn’t think because she took pity on him and started to move, lifting her hips off of him and hurtling back down in a motion that made them both groan in pleasure when she was seated again. Eyes rounding, she quickened her movements, mouth parting as she chased the bliss that hovered just out of her reach.

“Valentine,” she wheezed. “Please.”

He couldn’t even open his mouth to tease that the tables had so quickly turned, that she was the one begging him. It wasn’t a competition. The only thing that mattered was her. “I’ve got you, love.”

He lifted a hand to palm her breasts and squeeze her nipple. The answering whimper was reward enough, but it was when he slid his thumb down to the damp, needy apex between her thighs that her motions became more frantic. A sob broke from her as she rode a hell-for-leather pace, his own release looming on the heels of hers. Valentine circled with his thumb and he could feel her walls clamp down on him. He watched in indescribable wonder as her entire frame seized, her beautiful body caught up in the first throes of pleasure.

“Oh God.”

Bloody hell, he’d never seen anything more stunning in his life!

“Time to rise and spread those wings, my beauty,” he whispered, giving the swollen bead of flesh under his fingertips a decadent pinch. She screamed, eyes flying open, and pure euphoria crested over her features, mouth going slack as her body quivered over his. The undulations made his ballocks tighten, lightning driving through him as he bucked up into her before yanking himself free and spending onto his belly.

Bronwyn rode out the last few pulses, eyes unfocused with bliss. “That was different for us,” she whispered after a beat, staring down at the mess he’d made on his belly with an odd look over her face that she sought to hide when she saw him looking. It was almost…regretful. He blinked—she was so adamantly opposed to marriage and a future with him, and yet, she seemed almost sad. “I’m glad one of us was thinking.”

Valentine dragged a corner of the bedclothes and wiped his seed off his stomach. He gathered her into his arms and tucked her in to his chest. His heart was beating much too fast, but there was only one thought in his head.

“Marry me, Bronwyn,” he said.

He could feel her stiffen before her muffled answer came, “I can’t.”

“Why?”