could have prepared him for this moment.
Ariel was his world. He'd known from the moment he
first saw her she was meant for him. The pleasure he
took in her body was only the tip of the iceberg. He
wanted all of her. Heart and soul.
Ariel dug her fingers into his shoulders. Damien
knew she hadn’t given herself to anyone since the
awful betrayal and he wanted to be her hero, to help
her heart heal. This wasn’t about a sexual encounter—
he wanted to give her all he was, to pledge his entire
37
One Night Forever
being to her. Even if this was all they ever had, if she
left him after this one afternoon of sweet bliss, he
hoped he had given her confidence in herself and the
courage to go on. God help him if she decided to leave
him. He would do everything in his power to make her
happy, to fulfill every need.
Tossing her head back and throwing her hips at
him, she came with a soft whimper, her strong inner
muscles grasping him, threatening the tenuous control
he had on his wayward body. She just felt so damned
good! No other woman had wrapped herself around
his heart so completely.
She clutched his shoulders as her body
contracted around his. When her spasms lessened,
Damien gave in and let her bring him with her into
bliss. He wanted this, wanted to be a part of her
permanently. Allowing his mind, body and soul to
merge with her completely, he prayed there would
many, many more nights like this one.
Pleasure surrounded him, pulsing through his
aching shaft to the base of his spine. He stifled his
groan against her neck as he thrust once more and
emptied himself into her. He kissed her neck and
breasts. Her mouth. Wanting to worship her with his
mouth he tasted with reverence everywhere, offering
unspoken praise.
38
Marteeka Karland
When he finally pulled himself away from the
temptation that was Ariel, he said, “You have to know
that I have no intention of letting you out of my life. I
want you with me.”
“B-but, what about the baby? She’s not yours,”
Ariel stuttered.
“I want you both, Ariel. I’ll play whatever role
you want me to in her life as long as you let me stay in
yours. I’ll treat her as if she were my own if you’ll let
me. Please, sweet. Don’t make me beg.” He smiled at
her. “At least give me a chance to prove how much I
care about you. Given time, I’m sure we’ll grow to love
each other very much. I think I’m already at least half
in love with you. What do you say?”
Her smile grew slowly, but eventually lit up her
face. “I think I’d like that very much.”
Damien gave her a quick, hard kiss before
moving off her. Making a quick pass through the
bathroom, he cleaned himself before joining her again
and cleansing her with a damp cloth. Then, he climbed
into bed beside her, pulling firmly against him, his
arms wrapped around her. This was how it was
supposed to be. This was what he wanted every night
for the rest of their lives. Not long after that, he felt her
breathing level out and she relaxed against him
completely, asleep. He smiled and kissed her neck
39
One Night Forever
before nuzzling his face against her hair. Dragging her
scent into his lungs, he closed his eyes and slept.
40
Chapter Four
Damien woke to a horrible racket outside his
house. That goddamned GTO had to go. Glancing at
Ariel made him hate the bastard all the more. She
looked vulnerable, unsure of herself. With a growl,
Damien pulled her to him, kissing her hard. When he
backed away to look into her eyes, they had a haunted
look, but her gaze never wavered from his.
“He’s jealous,” Damien stated. “Ultimately, it’s
up to you. I won’t tell you I’ll step aside if you want to
go back to him. I want you in my life and I’ll do
anything I can to keep you there.”
She smiled. “I don’t want him and you know it. I
just hate confrontation.”
“No problem, sweetheart. Stay here. I’ll be back
in a