More Than Anyone

Excerpt:

An intense yet comforting heat surrounded her. That was the first sensation Felicity recognized as she slowly awakened. She'd been in a deep, peaceful sleep. Part of her mind didn't want to wake up; she was still so tired. Her body, however, stirred. It was an odd sensation; every square inch of her hummed with energy even as certain muscles ached. It was a good ache, though—the type you get after exercising muscles you either didn't know you had or forgot altogether.

Why was she so sore?

Felicity's foggy mind thought back to the night before. She'd celebrated Eid Al Ta'sees like everyone else and spent most of the night dancing. It had been so fun and, for a time, Felicity had felt included. That had been a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, the business with her father had interrupted her merriment.

She huffed at the memory of their conversation before casting it from her mind. She felt too content right now to let her father's manipulation and misplaced anger upset her. Having said her piece, there was nothing more to dwell on. Her father was no longer a menacing figure in her life. They were done, and it was wonderfully freeing.

The best part was that Felicity wasn't alone anymore. Despite being stuck in the League, she'd made new family and friends who actually loved and respected her. Felicity hadn't felt such total support and inclusion since, well…ever. Thinking of love, her skin tingled, and the delightful sensation spread all the way down to her toes. Oliver had told her he loved her last night. It'd been in Arabic, but that didn't change the meaning or significance of the words. The emotions they sparked were only heightened in the throes of passion.

And there had been plenty of passion. Not to mention heat, pleasure, and possession as she completely gave herself over to her husband. He, in turn, held nothing back from her either. The way Oliver touched and kissed her while they were joined was similar to a thirsty man in the desert finding an oasis. He'd taken refuge in her, driving her to the brink, while making her feel completely desired and adored. Felicity never knew lovemaking could feel like that—and the two additional sessions that followed confirmed it. She blushed replaying it over in her head.

The tingling in her body intensified. In fact, it felt concentrated on her back. A shiver went up her spine as she became fully awake. Felicity quickly realized the sensation wasn't just a remnant of last night. Oliver's light but hypnotizing touch called to her even now.

"Shamsi, are you awake?" he whispered.

Enjoying the sensation, she kept her eyes shut and muttered an unintelligible confirmation into her pillow.

Oliver chuckled next to her. His body was almost on top of her, and she recognized it as the incredible source of heat. The man was a living furnace. His fingers continued their path up and down her back, tracing invisible patterns. When his lips joined in, mouthing tender kisses from her shoulder down to the curve of her spine, she couldn't stop another garbled moan from escaping.

"You're blushing, wife," Oliver commented. "I would've thought after last night, there'd be no more need for that."