When Jace mentioned that he and his friends owned a place in Aspen, I didn't know why the first thing that came to mind was a cottage. I knew all four of them were loaded enough to buy homes worth a couple million, but aside from being mentioned once or twice in the six months since Jace and I had gone from unsure to definitely together, I hadn't really thought about it.

Then Jace had planned a romantic Valentine's Day week for the two of us, and I'd forgotten that the picture in my head most likely wouldn't match the real thing. I had a couple other things on my mind.

It was spectacular. Five bedrooms, so each of the guys had one of their own, with one leftover for guests, but it wasn't the number of rooms that made it so awe-inspiring. Every exterior wall was glass, and with it being on the side of a mountain overlooking a river, the view was incredible.

"Do you ever get used to this place?" I asked as I came out of the bathroom, snug and warm in the plush bathrobe Jace bought for me.

We'd been here for three days, and I still wasn't used to it. Surrounded by the snow-covered Rockies and inundated with the scent of pine, we were wonderfully isolated, able to focus solely on each other. And able to do whatever we wanted pretty much wherever we wanted. Only the other guys' bedrooms and bathrooms were off limits. Which meant we'd had sex on pretty much every other available piece of furniture in the entire house.

"I haven't." Jace came over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "But it's become more beautiful with you here."

He looked over to where a pair of sculptures stood on either side of the fireplace. They were me, but more intimate parts than he'd wanted anyone else to see. I still couldn't look at them without blushing, so I was glad he decided to keep them.

His show had gone over spectacularly. Everyone had been shocked and thrilled in equal parts when he revealed his new medium. No one but me knew the true story behind the change. I kept it out of the article, just as we'd kept our relationship quiet until after the show. After that, we'd gone public and hadn't looked back. I'd written other articles for The Heart of Art and was now looking into branching out on my own. Jace was working on a new set of sculptures that were all about textures in nature.

Things were going great for both of us, and I hoped this was still only the beginning.

"When it's warmer, we'll go out there," he said as he led me over to the massive French doors that opened onto the balcony.

"We could go out there now," I said, leaning into his warmth. "Get all bundled up and walk out onto the snow."

He settled his hands on the belt of my robe, his breath hot on my ear as he spoke, "But I don't want you bundled up."

I shivered as he slowly slid the robe off my shoulders and tossed it onto a nearby chair. I could see our reflection in the glass, see the way my eyes had darkened. See the desire on his face as he looked at the reflection of my naked body.

"Put your hands on the glass."

I'd been fully aware of the glass walls before, but this was different. We were so close that if we'd been in the city, someone would have seen us. But we weren't in the city, and no one else was around. So, as he cupped my breasts, thumbs teasing my nipples, I let myself forget about everything but him.

A sharp jolt of pain went through me as Jace tightened his fingers, pinching my nipples hard enough to make my breath catch. His teeth scraped the shell of my ear, then nipped my earlobe before kissing his way down my neck.

"You are the most beautiful, most amazing woman I've ever met."

His lips and tongue whispered over my skin even as his fingers continued to roll and tug at my nipples, the gentle caresses and steady throb of pain at such odds that they merged into that intense pressure I'd grown to love, promising a huge explosion of pleasure.

One hand slid down my stomach to brush against the dark curls between my legs and I parted them, fighting to keep my eyes open against the rush of anticipation flooding through me. He'd introduced me to so many things in the time we'd been together, and I loved every one of them.

His two middle fingers slipped down on either side of my clit, the v putting just the right friction on either side of that bundle of nerves, even as his mouth and other hand continued their assault on skin still sensitive from the past few days.

"I'm going to get my cock wet in your pussy, and then you're going to come for me," he said. "And while you're still coming, I'm going to slide it into that tight ass of yours."

I almost shattered right then, his promise so sweet and so perfect. With the rare exception, I didn't want or need gentle, and tonight wasn't an exception. I wanted whatever he gave me, and I knew it would be what I needed as well.

"All right, sweetheart." The head of his cock pushed against my entrance, and I shifted my hips, desperate to have him inside me.

I moaned as he entered me, my body stretching around him. I was so close, but I fought it back. One of Jace's favorite things to do was take me to the edge of orgasm and keep me there, forbidding me to come until he gave permission. The punishments when I failed were almost as delicious as the rewards, but I wasn't going to fail today. No, when he spent himself inside me and we were curled up in the nearby armchair, I'd tell him what I'd been waiting for the perfect moment to reveal.

"Come."

My body tightened as he drove deep and held himself there, the angle keeping him pressed against my g-spot as I climaxed. I called out his name, my hand slapping against the window as my breathing stuttered and my knees went weak.

Then the finger that had been rubbing my clit was pushing into my ass and my vision went white.

"Easy, baby."

Jace wrapped his arm around my waist, holding me steady even as he slid his cock out of my pussy and worked a second finger into my ass. The sounds I made weren't words, but Jace and I had been together long enough now that I knew he could read my body, if not my mind.

"Let's have a seat."

I barely registered his words before he was moving us to the chair without missing a single thrust and twist of his fingers. Then he was sitting down and moving me so that my suddenly empty ass was positioned over his cock. My muscles were quivering, barely able to hold me, but he had me, just like always. As he lowered me onto his thick shaft, a strangled groan escaped. My hands shook as I grabbed onto his forearms, digging in my nails as the familiar but still overwhelming sensation of burning pain and pleasure raced across my nerves, invading every cell.

"Lean back."

My thighs came to rest on his as I took the last pulsing inch inside me, and I let him pull me back, changing the angle to something new. I fought to keep my eyes open, watching our dim reflection in the glass as he spread my legs. I flushed, but it was more arousal than embarrassment. My pussy was glistening and pink, my ass stretched wide around his cock. My nipples were hard and swollen, my throat and shoulder marked by Jace's teeth and mouth.

"So fucking hot," he murmured in my ear. He began to move slowly, a hand moving between my legs again to tease my clit as he made short thrusts into my ass. It wasn't hard or fast, but there was nothing gentle about it either.

"You're hot," I said, the words coming out as moans. "And I love you."

"I love you too." He caught my chin with his free hand and turned my head to take my mouth.

I could feel another orgasm coming, and when he slid his tongue along mine, I moved my hips against his hand and then back to take him as deep into my ass as I could. He growled my name, then bit my bottom lip. The sharp pain tipped me over and I didn't wait for permission as I gave myself over to the pleasure.

I rode the wave as he played my body, taking me further and higher until he stiffened beneath me. He mumbled something against my skin as his cock throbbed and emptied inside me.

It wasn't until later, when I was in his arms, a blanket wrapped around us both, that I realized it was the perfect time to share my news. Before I could, however, Jace reached for something on the small chair side table.

"I meant it," he said, his voice hoarse and raw. "What I asked before, when I came."

I gave him a puzzled look. "I didn't hear you ask anything."

Relief shone in his eyes, and he let out a long breath. "And here I thought you were just telling me no."

"No?" I turned so I could look at him more easily, telling myself not to jump to any conclusions. "What, exactly, did you ask me, Jace?"

He held up a small box and flipped it open. My heart jumped into my throat when I saw the elegant twisted band and the flower made of small but exquisite diamonds.

"I asked if you would marry me."

Tears I hadn't known were lurking spilled down my cheeks, and I blurted out my own news. "I'm pregnant."

He dropped the box, then after a few long moments, took my face between his hands, expression earnest. "Say that again."

I took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."

"Oh, baby." His lips were soft against mine, and then his hand was on my stomach, the touch different than anything I'd felt before. He rested his forehead against mine. "Is that a yes, by the way?"

I laughed and brushed my lips across his. "Yes, baby daddy. I'll marry you."

He laughed in return, his arms tightening around mine. "Good, because I prefer to be called husband." His cock twitched underneath me as he gave me a hard kiss. "Now, how should we celebrate?"