I screamed, coming again, inner muscles clamping down on his cock.
Elijah cursed and slammed in so deep, I knew I’d feel him for days.
“Jesus Christ.” He released my wrists, cupped my face, and kissed me, tongue tangling with mine. And God, his deep groans as he came shook me to my foundation. His cock pulsed as he filled me, pumping me full of him.
He finally slowed his thrusts, gliding in and out of me, his body trembling. “That’s my good girl,” he murmured, lips brushing mine, voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “That’s my beautiful girl.”
His praise warmed me in a way I didn’t understand, but right then didn’t have the energy to think about, either. None of this made sense, these intense feelings I had for him, but it felt right, and that’s all I cared about. When he finished, he carefully pulled out and rested his forehead against mine. “Darlin’?” he whispered. “Darlin’, tell me you’re okay.”
I cupped his face and gently kissed him. “I’m more than okay,” I whispered back.
He stood and toed off his boots, then after he’d shucked off his jeans, he lifted me, cradling me in his arms, and headed toward the lake. He walked straight out into the water and sank down to our chests. It was cool and welcoming against my overheated skin.
He kissed me again, still murmuring sweet things, making me feel like the most treasured woman in the world. His lips pressed against my forehead as his hand dropped between my thighs, sliding over me with a gentle touch, cleaning me under the water, making me sigh with pleasure.
“You sure you’re okay?”
I slid my hand around the side of his muscular throat and held his gaze, the worry there making my chest hurt. “That was the single best experience of my life, Eli Hays.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I don’t know what this is, but I know I want it with you, only with you.” I kissed his gorgeous mouth. “Don’t second-guess yourself.” My cheeks heated, which was ridiculous after all we’d done, but I’d never said this out loud, this feeling inside me. “I want what you gave me, Elijah. I loved it when you held me down and told me what to do…and I loved it when I pleased you and you praised me for it. I don’t know what it means. I just know I crave it from you, all of it.” I swallowed, licking my dry lips. “And I…I think you feel that way, too?”
He stared at me, his breathing rough, his hold getting tighter. “I feel that way, too,” he said so low and deep that his words vibrated through my chest.
Relief flooded me, not that I really had any doubt, but I didn’t know if he’d ever admit to that part of himself, at least not when he wasn’t inside me. “Trust your instincts,” I said softly. “That’s all you have to do.”
His hand slid into my hair, fingers fisting gently, and he kissed me until we were both breathless, until he was hard again. He maneuvered my body so I was straddling his hips, and he slid back into me under the water.
I clung to his wide shoulders, while he followed his instincts—and made love to me in the lake.
…
I sipped my iced tea, holding Eli’s in my other hand, and headed out of the house. This last week had been one of the best in my life. It had just been me and Eli, well, except for a short visit from James on his way out of town. Eli had stayed in the field working, but to put his mind at rest, I’d sat on the porch with my friend to have our beer. We’d chatted, and everything was like it always was between us, like he’d never left Deep River. But I’d known Eli was watching us from under the brim of that cap—and though it was wrong, and I sure as heck didn’t want him to be jealous or insecure, knowing his eyes were on me the whole time had excited the hell out of me. He’d told me that morning, when he knew James was coming out, he didn’t mistrust me; it was everybody else he mistrusted. He knew his fears were irrational, but he hated the thought of James touching me.
So when my friend pulled me in for a hug, like he always did, I didn’t know what to do. I’d had no choice but to give him a quick squeeze back. I’d wanted to. He was my best friend, and that would never change. Eli would have to get used to him and me, and our friendship.
Still, my belly had squirmed as I’d waved good-bye. Butterflies going crazy while I’d stood there, rooted to the spot, Eli striding across the yard toward me. He’d reached me before the dust had settled behind James’s car.
He hadn’t said a word, just grabbed my hand and dragged me inside, then he’d shoved down my underwear, pushed me up against the wall, and fucked me.