~ * ~
Dominic's eyebrows drew together in concern. Adele's face had drained of color the moment they'd stepped into the field, her body rigid and tense. He'd expected her to react to seeing the field in real life but not like this. He followed his instincts that demanded he comfort and care for her. He'd curled himself around her as best he could as a man. When she leaned her head against his knee, exposing her long elegant neck, he simply couldn't resist. He'd run his nose gently up her neck while breathing deeply of her scent, taking it into his soul. When he started nuzzling her below her ear, she finally let her tension go. He felt it pour out of her body and drain away. Now he sat with her, all soft and relaxed in his embrace. His leopard wanted to purr in satisfaction. He had a job and a half to keep the sound inside himself. He was damn sure if she heard purring, she would totally freak out and he didn't want to lose this moment that felt like pure heaven to him, so he stayed silent. He lost track of time as he sat there slowly, gently nuzzling his mate's neck and delivering small kisses and licks to her soft sweet skin.
He felt her inhale deeply before she twisted her head around, nuzzling her nose against the soft denim covering his knee. He grinned. She didn't know it but she was covering herself with his scent, showing him her acceptance. Dominic moved his mouth up to her ear. In a desperate voice he whispered to her, "Please Adele, don't keep pushing me away. I need you to let me in, please."
"I can't--" a sob escaped her "--can't keep pushing you away any more. I'm not strong enough." She whispered, so quietly that if he'd been wholly human, he never would have heard her as she continued to nuzzle her face against his knee.
Dominic gently lifted and turned her around in his lap while putting his knees down, crossing his legs so she ended up straddling his waist with her bottom in his lap. He took her face between his hands.
"My sweet Adele, you are the strongest woman I know."
He gave her a quick kiss before he continued.
"Letting someone in, having someone to lean on, isn't a sign of weakness, Adele. We will both be so much stronger together."
Dominic lowered his lips to hers again, except this time there was nothing quick about his movements. He slowly, thoroughly devoured her mouth, making sure she felt him all the way to her soul just like he felt her all the way to his. Everything else faded out of his mind as heat and passion spread over him and into her. He felt her curl her arms tighter around his neck, holding him to her. As the tips of her nipples came into contact with his chest, they both groaned. He had never felt like this in his whole life. He could smell her arousal, feel her burning up in his arms and she was taking him right along with her.
Dominic couldn't stop his head from spinning, the taste of his mate surrendering to him, the feel of her body willingly pressed up against his. This day was turning out better than he could ever have imagined. He couldn't hold off any longer. He had to touch her--skin to skin. He pulled back slightly from her lips then whispered against them. "I need to feel you. Adele, please will you let me touch you?"
He felt her head nod slightly under his hands, heard her murmured "Yes". He released the breath he was holding in a rush of relief. He moved to nuzzle her neck and placed reverent kisses along her collarbone up to below her ear. He hovered a moment just drinking in her scent. When she sighed, he pulled back a little then trailed his hands down her face, over her jaw, down her neck and onto the collar of her shirt. She had on a thin cotton button-down shirt, perfect for hiking as it kept the sun off but wasn't thick enough to make her hot. He loved that his mate was so practical. His hands slowly undid each button, brushing his fingers against the flesh he revealed as each one popped open. By the time he had all the buttons undone, both of them were breathing hard and he was aroused as all get out. He was as hard as steel, the heat radiating from her core that rested over his erection burned him through the denim of his jeans. He moved his hands up to her neck and slid them under the material, down over her shoulders, taking the shirt down with them. As it tumbled to pool at her elbows behind her, he took a sharp breath in.
"Oh my sweet Adele, you are so beautiful."
Dominic watched as her blush spread over her cheeks, down her neck and across her breasts. She reacted so innocently to his compliments. She truly didn't see herself as he did. Her white lacy bra was stunning against her pale skin, and he could just see the darker color of her nipples through the lace. Sparks flew up his fingers as he gently ran them back up her arms then down her sides. He ran the tips of his fingers over the underside of each breast, up the center then traced the edge of her bra back up to her shoulders. He hesitated after he slipped a finger beneath each strap. He would go no further than she was comfortable with, even if he was about to explode, he was that turned on--especially now that Adele was very slightly rolling her hips, inadvertently rubbing her hot core over his erection. He tried to calm down his desire; he couldn't push her too hard. He could undo all his progress with Adele with one false move. He’d held his breath, waiting to see if she would allow him to remove her bra and was so relieved as he watched her eyes dilate further and she whispered, "Hmm, please" so quietly he wouldn't have heard it if he were simply human. He released his breath, leaned forward and nibbled at her lips.