Shadowed(85)

“Reddix—” she began, but he cut her off.

“Beautiful,” he muttered in a low, choked voice. “Gods, do you have any idea how fucking gorgeous you are, Nina?”

“I…not really. My hips and behind are way too big,” she protested.

“Didn’t I tell you I love a woman with a heart shaped ass?” he demanded. Cupping her hip with one hand, he slid his hand down to palm her ass. “Perfect,” he muttered, squeezing lightly but possessively.

“I’m…glad you like it,” Nina said cautiously, her heart thumping.

“Like it? I fucking love it—love all of you. Come here.” He pulled her to him so that they were both on their sides, facing each other and pressed tight, chest to chest and thigh to thigh.

Nina stiffened a little when she felt his long, hard shaft branding her lower belly, but Reddix made no move to get it between her legs. Instead, he pulled her closer, as though he couldn’t get enough of the feel of her skin against his. As though he never wanted to let her go.

“Gods, why do you feel so right in my arms?” he muttered into her hair. “Why can’t I stop wanting you? Stop thinking about you?”

“I think about you too,” Nina admitted in a low voice. “I don’t understand it either.”

“You’d almost think we were made for each other.” He gave a low bitter laugh and pulled back a little. “Except I’m not made for anyone.”

“Reddix…”

“Just let me hold you.” He pulled her close again, rubbing up and down her back and ass in long, slow strokes. “Just let me feel you close to me, in my arms.”

Nina stiffened at first, but he smelled so good, and the feel of his big body all around her, surrounding her with his heat, was surprisingly relaxing. After a moment, she gave a soft sigh and let her body mold itself against his.

“That’ right,” he rumbled, still stroking gently. “Gods, you’re so soft, so fragile. Let me know if I’m hurting you.”

“You’re not,” Nina assured him, touched by his concern. It was hard to believe he was the same man who had pinned her to the bed earlier that evening. Clearly he was doing his best not to frighten or overwhelm her in any way. She felt herself genuinely touched at the effort he was making.

“You don’t realize how much you miss this until you can’t do it anymore,” he murmured. “Just the simple act of being close to another person—holding someone you care for in your arms…”

Nina felt a surge of sorrow for him.

“Oh, Reddix…” Stroking a hand through his hair, she kissed him gently on the lips.

He returned the kiss with interest, and one large hand slid down to cup her breast.

Nina moaned when he thumbed her nipple gently, sending showers of sparks through her entire body.

“You have beautiful breasts,” he said softly. “So full and the nipples are so tight. They fit into my hands perfectly.”

“I’m glad you like them.” Nina pressed closer, pushing her breast against his palm. “You have…a very gentle touch.”

“When I’m not out of my head with lust, you mean.” He gave a low laugh. “Which I am right now, but I’m trying to take things slow…to make it last.”

“That’s the idea,” Nina agreed. “The longer it lasts, the more satisfied the collar should be.”

He shook his head. “That’s not why I’m trying to make it last, Nina. It’s because I’ve been wanting to touch you like this from the first moment I saw you. And I don’t know when I’ll ever get the chance again.”

“Reddix…” she began, but he kissed her again, and his hand moved lower, stroking over her belly and hips until it came to a stop lightly cupping her mound.

Nina opened her eyes and pulled back from the kiss.

“I—”

“Spread for me, Nina.” His deep voice was low and demanding and his eyes wouldn’t let her go. “Let me touch you everywhere.”

She felt helpless to disobey his command. Even more than that—she didn’t want to disobey it. With a soft little moan, she parted her thighs and let him in.

* * * * *

Her soft, sweet little pussy felt incredibly right in his hand. She was fragile and warm and the soft mound of her neatly trimmed thatch tickled his palm. But even more than the feel of her cleft in his hand, Reddix felt privileged by the trust she was showing him. In no way did he deserve such a display of complete confidence, such openness. And yet Nina gave it to him without hesitation when he asked. Looking down into her beautiful, star-like eyes as he cupped her, he felt like she’d reached into his chest and squeezed his heart. He wanted her more than any other woman he’d ever seen, but it was more than that—there was a connection between them. One he couldn’t deny, even though he tried to.