Branding the Virgin(11)

9





Mary-Jane





I wake to a warm body melded around me, and a face buried in my neck. Ty’s slow, even breathing lets me know he’s still asleep. His earthy smell wraps around me, and I find myself pushing into him further, soaking up the comfort of him.

I can’t remember a time when I’ve lain in a bed and been cuddled. I should be mad that he snuck into my room, but I was sad when we parted last night. I’d wanted to lie down in bed with him, to fall asleep in his arms. Yesterday was more perfect than I could have imagined. The change in him was crazy, and I still don’t know what to make of it. He’d still seemed grumpy with others, but not with me. I oddly like that only I get that side of him. His words are always soft and low when he talks to me. Almost like I’m something precious he could startle. He’s handling me with care to avoid spooking me.

I’m falling for him and I’m not sure I can stop it. I can still feel his lips against mine. After I’d gotten out of the shower last night, I’d stared in the mirror for a long moment.

My lips were still swollen from his kisses, my belly was swollen with his child, and I looked how I’d always dreamed—happy after finding a man who loved me and excited to create a family with him. But it isn’t real. I have to be careful not to get carried away. Things haven’t gone as planned, and I’m scared to pop this little bubble. I’m wondering how things will change when Ty finds out. I wonder if he even wants children. He’s already spent a good chunk of his life helping raise his brothers and sister. His sister is barely out of the house, and to have a baby dropped on him might be an unwelcome shock.

I feel his lips start to move against my neck. The stubble on his face brushes against my skin, making goosebumps break out all over my body. The softness of his lips paired with the roughness of his beard feels perfect. Even his kisses are like him. First you feel his roughness, then the softness he hides in there comes out. He lazily presses his kisses against my neck. I tilt my head a little bit, wanting him to keep doing what he’s doing. Wanting those kisses everywhere.

“I could wake up like this every morning,” he mumbles, and I just let out a little moan. I feel him smile against me. “Sorry, I tried to stay away. I don’t know why, but I just can’t seem to.”

I feel one of his hands start to rise up my thigh, his rough palm feeling good against my skin. My legs part just a little of their own accord. He takes the opening to slide between my thighs, cupping me. I gasp at the contact and my body comes awake. Any remaining sleepiness is washed away as I feel my pulse start to pick up.

My hips rise, wanting what he’s doing. His finger drifts back and forth, slowly teasing me, and I hear myself whimper.

“You want me to keep going, darlin’?” he asks, a gruffness to his voice, and I wonder if he’s as turned on as I am. I don’t think I’ve ever felt like this before. Every part of me aches.

“Please,” I say so softly I’m not sure he can hear me. My shyness is taking over. But then his hand slips under my panties from the side. One of his legs wraps around mine, pulling me open for him.

“I’d do anything to hear that little moan you just made again. I should be the one saying please. Not you.”

My eyes fall closed as his fingers start to move.

“I didn’t know something could feel so soft,” he whispers against me. “Feels so perfect.” Another kiss lands, this time his tongue sweeps out to taste me. “Feels so mine,” he growls as one finger pushes into me. I can feel how wet I am, how easily his finger slides into me.

“Fuck, darlin’. You’re so goddamn tight.” His finger starts to move in and out of me. The heel of his hand rubs my clit, and I feel myself clench around him. “Move with me. Show me how much you like this.”

My body does as he commands as my hips start to thrust, mimicking sex. “Ty,” I moan.

“Jesus, that’s the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard in my fucking life.”

I can’t seem to stop. His name pours from my mouth over and over again until my body locks and I explode. I feel wetness leak out of the corner of my eyes, and I lie there, unable to feel a muscle in my body. It’s like all the tension and worry I had drained away and the only thing left is a sweet, warm feeling that settles over me like a warm blanket.

My eyes fly open, tearing me from my afterglow, when I feel Ty’s body move between my legs. I have no idea how he moved without my noticing.

He looks down at me. “I want to see all of you. Taste you.” I go to grab his hand, but he slips my shirt up and my whole body freezes when his eyes lock on my stomach. I feel like the whole world stops. My perfect moment shatters. The bubble I wanted to stay in for just a little bit long is gone.