Chapter 16

Jaxon drew Rachel into his arms, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. “Ready for that bath now, baby?”

Rachel nodded, a flush of warmth spreading through her at the thought of sharing such an intimate moment. “Yes, I’d like that.”

Jaxon scooped her up into his arms, carrying her down the hall to the master bathroom. He set her on her feet, turning to start the water. Steam soon billowed up as he added her favorite lavender bath oil, the floral scent filling the room.

Rachel watched as Jaxon undressed, desire stirring anew at the sight of his powerful body. She still couldn’t quite believe he was hers now, to hold and cherish as she’d always longed to.

Jaxon slid into the oversized tub, holding out his hand. “Come here, beautiful.”

Rachel stepped into the tub, settling between his legs. The hot water enveloped her, soothing her pleasantly aching body. She sighed, leaning back against Jaxon’s chest.

Jaxon wrapped his arms around her, dropping a kiss on her shoulder. “Comfortable?”

“Very,” Rachel said. “This is nice.”

“It is.” Jaxon nuzzled her neck, his hands gliding over her stomach beneath the water. “Being here with you like this, it’s perfect.”

Rachel smiled, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. “You’re perfect for me, Jaxon Jones.”

Jaxon’s eyes softened, filled with a tenderness that made her heart ache. “And you’re perfect for me, Rachel Lewis. My missing piece.”

The warm water lapped at Rachel’s skin as she sank into the bathtub, her body melting against Jaxon’s. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close.

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone before,” Rachel whispered.

Jaxon’s lips grazed the curve of her neck. “Me neither, baby. You’re it for me.”

A lump formed in Rachel’s throat. She turned in his arms to face him, tracing the lines of his tattoo with her fingertip. “After everything I’ve been through, I never thought I’d find this.” Her eyes welled with tears. “I never thought I’d find you.”

Jaxon cupped her face, wiping away a stray tear with his thumb. “I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere.” He kissed her then, slow and deep, igniting a fire within her.

Rachel slid her hands over the hard planes of his chest, desire pooling low in her belly. She wanted nothing more than to lose herself in his embrace, to forget about everything but this moment.

Jaxon’s hands drifted down to her hips, clutching her close. She could feel his need pressing against her, awakening her own. “I want you, Rachel. In every way.” His voice was rough with longing.

Jaxon’s eyes darkened with passion. He lifted her onto his lap, her legs straddling his hips as the water sloshed around them.

Rachel claimed his mouth again, her kiss conveying what words could not. That she was his, now and forever.

Jaxon slid inside her then, inch by delicious inch, stretching her, filling her, completing her in a way she had only dreamed of. Rachel gasped at the intrusion, clinging to him as a dizzying rush of pleasure overwhelmed her senses.

“Rachel,” Jaxon groaned, clutching her hips. “My Rachel.”

She began to move, finding a rhythm that brought them both to the edge of bliss. The world around them faded away until there was only this, only them, joined in body and soul.

Jaxon quickened the pace, his breaths coming fast and hard. Rachel arched into him, trembling on the brink of release.

“I love you,” Jaxon rasped, gazing into her eyes. “Come for me, baby.”

His words sent her tumbling over the edge, pleasure radiating through every nerve in her body. Rachel cried out his name as the waves crashed over her, clinging to him as he found his own release. They held each other for a long moment, hearts pounding as one. Rachel had never felt so complete. So loved. She smiled up at Jaxon, brushing a damp lock of hair from his forehead. “I love you too.” She kissed him then, slow and deep, pouring all the love in her heart into that kiss. They had found each other through heartbreak and longing, and now they would never again be apart.

Jaxon’s hands drifted lower, caressing her inner thighs. Rachel gasped into his mouth, desire igniting within her once more.

“I want you again,” Jaxon rasped against her lips. “I’ll never get enough of you.”

“Then take me,” Rachel whispered. “I’m yours, Jaxon. Always.”

Jaxon lifted her easily, positioning her to straddle his lap. The feel of his hard length against her made her ache with need.

One hand grasped her hip, the other palming her breast as his mouth closed over her nipple. Rachel cried out, arching into him.

“That’s it, baby,” Jaxon murmured. “Give yourself to me.”

Rachel rocked her hips, taking him inside her inch by inch. They groaned in unison as he filled her, their bodies joining as seamlessly as their souls.

Jaxon set a slow, deep rhythm, his hands roaming her body. The water sloshed around them, steam rising in wisps.

Rachel rode him, clinging to his shoulders. His name fell from her lips like a prayer as ecstasy built within her.

Jaxon’s thrusts grew harder, more urgent. “Come for me, Rachel. I’ve got you.”

The world shattered around her as she came apart in his arms. Jaxon surged up within her, finding his own release with a hoarse shout.

They clung to each other, hearts pounding as the ripples in the water gradually stilled. Rachel had found her home, her shelter, her eternally safe place in Jaxon’s embrace. Together, they had forged something rare and precious.

Rachel rested her head on Jaxon’s shoulder, savoring the feel of his arms around her. The bath water had cooled, but she felt warm and content in a way she never had before.

Jaxon pressed a kiss to her temple. “You okay?”

“Mmm.” Rachel smiled, trailing her fingers through the hair on his chest. “More than okay.”

A low, pleased rumble vibrated in Jaxon’s chest as the last of the water gurgled down the drain.

Silence fell over them, broken only by the soft sounds of their breathing. A heaviness had settled into Rachel’s limbs, a bone-deep relaxation she wanted to hold on to forever.

Jaxon shifted, pulling her more firmly against him. “We should get out before we turn into prunes.”

“Don’t wanna move,” Rachel mumbled, nestling closer.

Jaxon chuckled. “As much as I’d like to stay here with you, we’ll be more comfortable in an actual bed.”

Rachel sighed, knowing he was right. She sat up, the loss of his warmth leaving her bereft for a moment.

Jaxon stood and stepped out of the tub before turning to offer her his hand. Rachel took it, the rough calluses and strength in his grip grounding her.

He helped her out of the bath and wrapped her in a fluffy towel, rubbing her arms to ward off the chill.

“Thank you,” Rachel said, “for tonight. For...everything.”

Jaxon cupped her face in his hands, his eyes reflecting the depth of his emotion. “You’re the one who’s given me something I never thought I deserved.”

Rachel’s heart swelled, overflowing with love for the man in front of her. “We deserve each other,” she whispered.

Jaxon’s answering smile lit up his face. “That we do, sweetheart.”