After the Ashes(26)

Once he reached his destination, she understood exactly what he wanted. He smoothed his palm over her hip, around her thigh, then hitched her right leg at an angle, leaving her open for his probing fingers. At his first touch she almost jerked off the bed. He gently stroked her, then slid a finger easily inside. When he moved in and out, she couldn’t help but match the rhythm with her hips. But almost as soon as she relaxed enough to let the exquisite sensation ooze through her body, he abruptly removed his hand.

He moved over her. “I can’t wait any longer and you’re ready for me. All right?”

She nodded, not sure what they would wait for anyway. Bracing his weight on his knees and one arm, he reached between them and guided himself to her opening.

“Spread your legs wider, sweetheart.”

She did, raising her knees and tilting her pelvis.

His head remained bent, and he must have liked what he saw. “That’s perfect. Open up for me.”

The first touch was as nice as his finger had been, but when he continued to push forward with his hips, she tensed. He braced his forearm by her head, leaned down, and kissed her.

“Relax, sweetheart. I’m going to go nice and easy until you get used to me.”

The pressure where they were joined grew increasingly uncomfortable, and for the first time Lorelei had second thoughts. She dug her fingers into his unyielding biceps.

He stilled his movements and kissed her, entwining his tongue with hers until the pleasure of their joined mouths coaxed her to relax. The pulsing fullness between her legs had begun to match the swirl of sensation in the rest of her body.

With more determination, he thrust forward again. This time she couldn’t stop from trying to shove him away as she let out an involuntary yelp. He tensed above her. For a long minute his heavy breathing filled the room. His eyes were closed, and sweat beaded his forehead.

Finally he opened his eyes. They were greener than she’d ever seen them. His gaze skewered her, and she had the uncomfortable sensation that he was mad at her.

“Lorelei.” His voice was harsh, like a parent scolding a child. “Are you a virgin?”

She wasn’t angry at his question. It seemed everyone assumed she had lost her virtue, and it didn’t bother her that he had to ask, but she had the distinct impression he felt she had cheated him somehow, lied to him about something very important.

“Yes.” She stopped herself short of apologizing.

At that moment her body reminded them of their tentative connection by pulsing around him. The pain eased and the pleasure she had experienced earlier rushed back. She shifted, arching her back slightly. He closed his eyes, gritting his teeth.

“Lorelei.” His struggle to control his apparent anger strained his voice and tightened his jaw. “Do you want me to stop?”

She ran her arms up his biceps. His muscles were tense and bunched, his skin wet from his strain. She didn’t want it to end like this.

She took a deep breath and let it out. “No.”

He kept his eyes closed, still not moving, and she wondered if he heard her. She wanted to ask if it would hurt again, but was afraid to speak. The closeness they had shared had shifted, teetering on a brink.

He opened his eyes and gazed down at her, studying her. He looked as if he were searching for a very important answer that could be found only in her face.

She touched his cheek. “I’m sorry,” she said despite herself.

“That comes after.” He lowered himself until his chest pressed against hers. He kissed her mouth and slid his forearms under her back, scooping her up against him.

Before she could ask him what he meant, he forcefully thrust his hips while he tightened his arms. The pain flashed like a lightning bolt, fading as quickly as it began. She sucked in her breath and dug her fingers into his arms.

He trailed kisses down her neck as she tried to catch her breath. She stiffened and squirmed but he held her tight, nuzzling the sensitive spot just under her earlobe in a way that tickled. She turned her head away and he stuck his tongue in her ear.

“Stop that.” She laughed and realized the discomfort had ebbed away completely. Her body adjusted, sending pulses of pleasure out to her toes and the tips of her fingers. He raised back on his elbows and started to move.

First he rotated his hips in a gentle rocking. She arched against him, bringing her hips to meet his. As her eagerness grew, so did his aggression. His movements lost their gentle coaxing. He surged into her and she met him with a desperation she hadn’t known existed. She was breathing so fast, the pleasure so acute, she felt lightheaded. But neither of them could stop the maddening rhythm. She planted her feet on the bed and pushed up, wanting him to go harder, faster.