He smiled in return and resumed stroking her thigh. ‘But at least you don’t have to worry alone. I’ll be with you every step of the way.’ His mouth came back down on hers in a long, drugging kiss that drove every doubt and fear out of her mind.
Harper moved against him, urging him to take it to the next level. ‘You’re taking way too long. I need you right now.’
‘I have to put on a condom first.’
She watched him apply a condom and held her breath in anticipation. He came back to her, looking at her with such fervent desire burning in his eyes it ramped up her excitement to fever pitch. He kissed his way down from her breasts to her belly, dipping the tip of his tongue into the shallow cave of her belly button. Shivers coursed through her flesh at his caresses, her heart racing as she anticipated his next move. He moved to her feminine mound, using his lips and tongue to separate her folds. His movements were gentle and slow but no less arousing for that. Tingling sensations turned into ripples and then crashing waves of pleasure. She snatched in a breath and went with it, unable to stop it even if she had wanted to. She couldn’t hold back her panting cries of ecstasy and she clutched at his broad shoulders to anchor herself from the tumultuous storm racking her body.
‘You certainly haven’t lost your technique,’ she said, struggling to catch her breath.
Jack moved back up to kiss the side of her neck, his strong, muscular legs tangling with hers. ‘I want to be inside you.’ His husky groan delighted her senses as much as his mouth teasing the sensitive skin of her neck.
‘I want you.’ Harper had never said those three little words to any other lover. Or at least said them and truly meant them. But with Jack, the need pummelling through her was so desperately intense, she thought she would die without him bringing her to completion.
Jack positioned himself at her entrance, then with an earthy groan entered her with a slow thrust that lifted every hair on her head. Her body wrapped around him, welcoming him, and darts of pleasure shot through her flesh. He began to move within her, slow but steady, then gradually building his pace as she breathlessly urged him on. He slipped a hand beneath her bottom to tilt her pelvis to increase the friction where she needed it. She wrapped her legs around him, raising her hips to meet each downward thrust, enjoying the thickness of his body in the slickness of hers.
Jack brought his other hand between their bodies and caressed her most sensitive flesh of all. The tight bud of her clitoris that was connected to an orchid-like network of nerves spread throughout her womanhood. She lifted off within seconds of his expert touch, the sensations ricocheting through her body like an earthquake.
His own release followed hers, the deep, thrusting movements of his body only heightening the delight growing through hers. He tensed for an infinitesimal moment and then pitched forward with a primal-sounding growl of pleasure, his body shaking and shuddering and shivering.
Jack stayed connected to her for a long moment, his breathing rate still hectic, his face buried in her neck. ‘So it wasn’t a fluke, then.’ His lips as he spoke tickled her skin, then he raised himself on his elbows to look down at her. ‘You sounded like you had a good time.’
Harper smiled. ‘So did you.’
His eyes twinkled. ‘It was definitely worth the wait.’ He rolled off her to remove the condom but came back to gather her close, tucking her into his side, one of his hands stroking up and down her arm.
‘Jack?’
‘Mmm?’
Harper turned her head to look at him. ‘I hope you’re not going to wait another nine months to make love to me again. Actually, it’s ten months because Marli is almost five weeks old.’
Jack rolled her over onto her back once more, caging her in with his arms. He gave a slanted smile that sent her heartrate soaring and her blood simmering in her veins. ‘Not a chance, sweetheart.’ And his mouth came down and set fire to hers.
Jack watched on the sidelines as Harper worked on the photo shoot over the next couple of days. She had been given several sites in Paris to photograph and it meant each full day was a juggle of feeds for Marli and setting up equipment in each location. Then taking the shots, reviewing them and working with the support team in deciding on the ones they wanted to feature. It was exciting to be back doing what she did best, but she was conscious of Marli the whole time. Worrying about her, needing to check on her, wanting to hold her longer than for a quick feed but unable to because of the time pressure she was under. It was a revelation to her of the dilemma most working mothers faced each day. There were so many conflicting needs and tasks to see to and it was nothing short of emotionally and physically exhausting. But it also gave her a sense of gratitude that Jack had put a pause button on his own work commitments to be with her. To support her and take care of Marli so she could concentrate on her work.
The last place to photograph was Jardin du Luxembourg in the Sixth Arrondissement of Paris. The gardens had been started in 1612 by Marie de’ Medici, the widow of King Henry IV, for the residence she built—the Luxembourg Palace.
Harper was halfway through the shoot when she caught sight of Jack sitting under a tree with Marli propped up against his bent knees. He was playing with her tiny feet and smiling down at her with such love and devotion in his expression it brought a lump to Harper’s throat. She aimed her camera at him and took a round of shots from different angles. He hadn’t noticed her, so it gave her a perfect opportunity—the one most photographers loved and aimed for—the natural in the wild shot.
But as she was taking the last photo, Jack turned his head and smiled at her. ‘How’s it going?’
‘Nearly done.’ She came closer and knelt down to stroke her finger down Marli’s chubby little cheek. ‘I caught her smiling up at you.’
‘She’s got a knockout smile like her mother.’
‘I think they might be the best photos I’ve taken today, perhaps for the entire shoot.’
Jack gathered Marli against his broad chest, stretching out his long legs on the grass. ‘I can’t wait to see them.’ He flashed a glinting smile up at her. ‘And I can’t wait to get you alone tonight.’
Harper suppressed a tiny shiver of anticipation. She placed a hand on his broad shoulder. ‘Thank you for making this as seamless as possible under the circumstances. I would’ve hated to have forfeited this opportunity to showcase my work.’
He balanced the now sleeping Marli along one arm and placed his other hand on top of Harper’s. ‘We’re in this together, sweetheart. We’re a team now.’
Harper looked down at Marli so safe and secure against his body. Was it greedy of her to ask for more than he was prepared to give? He clearly loved his baby girl and he had proved himself to be a steady back-up to Harper, not resenting her career commitments or insisting she put them aside for his. He was supportive, encouraging, and was prepared to provide a home and haven for their little family. And he desired her as much as she desired him. Surely that was enough for now?
Later that night, once Marli was bathed and put down to sleep, Jack came out to where Harper was sitting going through her photos on her digital camera.
‘Can I see what you took today?’ he asked, sitting beside her and stretching an arm along the back of the sofa next to her shoulders.