by L. B. Reyes
A rush I couldn’t even begin to describe ran through my veins. My eyes met his. I needed him to believe me when I said I how I felt. Yet, now that it was all out in the open, fear reappeared, especially with Derek’s attitude. I didn’t expect him to say it back, or even smile at my confession, but I expected more. Maybe it has been too soon and I’d scared him off.
Or worst of all…maybe it was too late.
“Say something, dammit.” I cursed quietly, waving my hands dramatically as I spoke. “You know what? This was a stupid fucking thing to do because I’ve freaked you out and you can’t handle that you’re the man and didn’t say it first. Or maybe you’re going to run the fuck off because you didn’t want us to get this serious, but I’ve said it, and I don’t take it back at all. But if you can’t handle it and you want to forget I said it and we’ll pretend th—”
I never got the chance to finish.
Derek shut me up in the most effective way possible. He cupped my face in his hands, his green eyes boring into mine, before his lips descended on mine and kissed me. It was a hunger he hadn’t shown before, like he couldn’t contain himself any longer. My lips parted immediately, letting his tongue slip in, as his arms wrapped around my body, holding me tighter with each passing second.
I clung to him with every fiber of my being, needing the reassurance his warmth provided. The whole world disappeared as his mouth moved against my own, the warm skin of his neck under my fingertips reminding me he was there.
He didn’t run for the hills when I’d told him what I felt.
I was lost in the kiss, breathless with want and need, desperate for him to feel the same way I felt about him. I feared his feelings for me would never be as strong as before, but I could try to be better with every passing day.
Our gazes locked, saying much more than words ever could, and in that moment, I felt as if he was looking straight through to my soul. He had to be; he could read me like an open book. A ragged breath left my lips, and despite the nervousness and vulnerability I felt, my hands went up to the first button of his shirt.
I was ready to cave.
To the lust and desire. To the way I felt with him. I wanted no more barriers, no more excuses. With his hand on my neck, he pulled me closer to him, kissing me again. A low moan escaped as his lips worked with my own, erasing any other concern in my mind. Nothing else mattered, except for the way being together seemed to erase every single thought in my mind. With his help, he tossed his shirt to the floor. I pulled my soaked shirt over my head and dropped it on top of his, feeling Derek’s heated gaze on my body.
As if drawn to each other, his hands were all over me, molding to every curve, caressing the bare skin he could find. Our breathing was erratic, but neither of us wanted to break away. The greediness in each movement was a testament of what we both wanted…needed.
“Hannah…”
My name left his lips hoarsely, as if he was trying to restrain himself, perhaps trying to remind himself this was real. With my hand over his heart, I looked up at him, the intensity of his gaze making my heated body shiver.
But my hands had thoughts of their own.
They traveled down his chest, memorizing every ridge of his muscles and the way he reacted to my touch. It spurred me on, the way his body tensed and the deep breath he took, as if it was taking all his self-control.
I didn’t want him to have it; I wanted that control to disappear.
I pressed a kiss on his neck, my tongue sliding out to tease him, while his hands rested on my hips, squeezing my skin tightly.
My hand reached out to his jeans, ready to get rid of the remaining barriers between us, but to my surprise, Derek reached out, took hold of my wrist, and stopped me.
“Wait.”
I looked up at him wide-eyed, but his seriousness rendered me speechless.
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
Chapter 26
Hannah
My eyes were wide with fear, shock, and lust. I wanted nothing more than to be in his arms, surrounded by his kisses, forgetting about the rest of the world. Now, however, it felt like there was a large distance between us. I stepped back, debating whether to shield myself from what would next leave his mouth.
“What is it?”
I didn’t hide the apprehension in my voice. He had to know all the power was in his hands. He had the power to destroy me, what we had. What we were trying to build. He held my heart in his grip…I just hoped he wouldn’t destroy it. He turned away, looking out the window with hesitation.
Frustrated, he ran his fingers through his hair, sighing, before finally turning to face me once again. But he said nothing. Not with his words, anyway.
With a few steps forward, Derek took my breath away, especially when he held my face between his hands and kissed me softly. Confused, it took me a bit to kiss him back, but I did so eagerly, needing the reassurance his touch provided. It may have seemed desperate, but I’d take whatever he was willing to give me.
“Hannah…” My name was nothing but a whisper on his lips, so quiet I thought I’d imagined it. However, the words that followed were the ones that caught my attention. “I love you too.”
I hit the damn breaks.
The world seemed to stop spinning while my heart felt like it was about to beat out of my chest. A slow smile crept across his face, his eyes shining with so much…love, I could hardly handle it. And yet I was sure I’d imagined it. I couldn’t believe he’d said the words back.
“What?” I asked, hearing the break in my voice.
His expression was tender. Calm. There wasn’t a single ounce of doubt, not even a hint of confusion. His thumbs caressed my cheeks, going down to my lips and tracing them gently. “Do you have any idea how fucking long I’ve wanted to hear you say those words?” He rested his forehead against mine, looking deep into my eyes, not attempting to hide how he felt. “It’s been years…and I’ve tried to move on. But Hannah, you’re not an easy person to forget.”
As happy as the words made me, I was livid. “You let me ramble on,” I shrieked, taking in his still-amused expression. I shoved him, but he didn’t budge an inch. “What is so fucking funny?”
He smirked, clearly enjoying the situation. “You looked cute.”
Glaring, I crossed my arms over my chest and shot him the most menacing look I could. It didn’t faze him.
But what I said sure as hell did.
“Take off your clothes.” Derek raised his eyebrows, truly stunned. It was my turn to smile, glad I could catch him off guard. “You tortured me, so it’s your turn.”
“Whoa.” He raised his hands, taking a step back. “What type of shit did I get myself into?”
I smiled teasingly before reaching out and grabbing his belt buckle. “Nothing we don’t both want.” The belt slid from the loops in his jeans, and once I tossed it aside, I undid the button and lowered the zipper, not missing the way he tensed. “I love you, Derek, so much,” I whispered, pressing a soft kiss against his neck. “But what you did was just mean. I don’t like it.”
“You shouldn’t play like this,” he warned.
I smiled, looking up at him with mirth. “What are you going to do about it?”
I stirred him on purposely, hoping he’d finally cave. And cave he did.
He kissed me, taking my hair in his hands and slipping his tongue past my lips. With a moan, I met his tongue with my own, desperate for him and everything his touch could do. His hands lowered further, squeezing my ass gently, before his mouth went down to my throat. I felt him smile against my skin when I reached between us and pulled on his clothing.
“Hm…not so bossy now, are we?”
“Derek—”
He cut me off with a hand slipping beneath my jeans and into my panties. His fingers slid past my folds. Teasing. And so, so good. I shuddered, burying my face in his neck. Panting, I held on to his shoulders, needing something to ground me.
“I love you, Hannah,” h
e whispered, thrusting a finger inside. I threw my head back, feeling the way his tongue glided against my skin, his fingers working expertly with my body. I was strung tight, desperate for the release only he could provide. He was done playing, done with the games, done waiting. Derek wanted me as much as I wanted him, and he was showing it with every kiss and the way he touched me. If I had any doubt about his intentions, Derek made sure to get rid of it when he spoke. “The only thing you’re going to remember is my name.”
I whimpered in reply, digging my fingers into his shoulders. He groaned, holding me up while the palm of his hand pressed against my swollen nub, increasing the sensations by the second, until I couldn’t hold back any longer. Wave after wave coursed through my body, overwhelming me to the point I couldn’t stand on my own. Derek always knew what to do with my body, made me feel beautiful and wanted, no matter what we were going through.
He didn’t give me time to recover before his mouth was on me again, lifting me off the floor.
Our hearts beat to the same rhythm, and he knew it. I could tell by the way he kissed me desperately, savoring the feel of our bodies pressed against each other. It wasn’t long before we were in the room and he laid me down on the bed, eyeing me with pure lust. I was no longer in control. After a few moments, my clothes were gone, and I was left completely bare to him. I had no time to process anything before his face was between my legs, his tongue lapping at my wet core.
A scream tore from my throat at the sudden onslaught of pleasure, and I held on to the sheets of the bed. He hummed, clearly enjoying what he did to me. My back arched, but Derek didn’t care. He held my hips down, his tongue tasting me and doing with me as he pleased.
Moan after moan left my lips, and I could no longer think clearly. It was as if my body wasn’t my own anymore; it was too much, too soon. I was sensitive, wanted him to stop and keep going, wanted him to make me his in every way possible.
“Oh…please,” I cried out.
I always hated the self-control he possessed. Derek could drive me insane before ever giving up, until I pleaded for him to have mercy.
He was proving his point. Reminding me only he would ever make me feel this way.
I was so close. I squeezed my eyes shut when he thrust his tongue inside me firmly, pushing me over the edge yet again. I felt my limbs weaken and his mouth kissing me, never leaving my skin.
I felt him move away but didn’t move while I tried to regain my breath, not until I heard a wrapper opening. My eyes fluttered open and I watched him, now completely undressed as he placed the condom on his thick length.
And then the slightest hint of fear appeared. I wanted him to like it, wanted him to feel the same pleasure I felt. But he’d been with other women…
I swallowed as he moved onto the bed and was on top of me, his lips searching out mine. “I love you,” he reminded me softly. I wrapped my arms around his neck, feeling him nudge gently at my heat, and he groaned, pushing into me gently.
“Oh…fuck…”
I broke off the kiss, throwing my head back. It had been years for me, and knowing that, Derek thrust into me slowly. My chest heaved as he entered me, stretching me out and filling me up completely. His eyes were on me—I could feel his heated gaze taking in my expression, memorizing every bit of it.
He pulled back, repeating the movement a few times before he kissed me, my moans muffled by his mouth.
It was so familiar.
Beautiful.
My mind was intoxicated.
My body was full.
I was touching heaven with my fingertips.
It was a slow pace. A deliciously slow pace that took over every pore of my body and left me full of bliss. All I saw was him; the concentration on his face, the devotion in his eyes were all too much. The electricity flowing through our bodies couldn’t be destroyed or denied.
And I didn’t ever want it to be.
I wanted that heat to always radiate between us.
I wanted that connection.
I wanted everything that came with Derek Hensley.
Derek’s hands explored my body, leaving tantalizing sensations everywhere.
“Please…”
Thrust after thrust, kiss after kiss, my body searched for the release it needed. The sweet torture of being under his control was becoming too much, and he enjoyed it. A small smirk formed on his lips as he kept the slow pace, though I could tell it was taking all his effort to not thrust into me like a madman.
My hand traveled between us, but he stopped me, taking it in his and, in a practiced move, flipping us over so I was on top. When I sunk onto him, he whispered my name, his gaze never leaving my body, which began moving, wanting to give him as much as he’d given me. His hands roamed, cupping my breasts, pinching my nipples, leaving no part of my body unexplored. Derek found my clit with his thumb, rubbing slow circles over it while my hips rolled.
With the other hand, he pulled my face to his, his lips feather light over my own. And I knew that was it for me. The simple command would be my undoing. “Come for me, Hannah.”
My body obeyed.
Lips parting in a silent scream, I clenched around him, feeling how my orgasm washed over me in a way I’d never experience before. It was surreal, the sensations, the way he’d made love to me. I’d surrendered to him in every way possible. My back arched as spasm after spasm traveled through my body. Derek grunted, my orgasm drawing out his own. He kissed me, his grip on my hips tightening.
I struggled to regain my breath, but when I finally did, Derek was looking at me. There was no way to mistake the love in his eyes.
“Worn out?” he asked, brushing my hair back with a small smile.
“Are you?”
He chuckled, his hand going down to my nipples, rolling them between his fingers. A soft gasp escaped, and he grinned, raising a single eyebrow. “The night has just started, babe. There’s plenty for us to do.”
Chapter 27
Derek
I awoke before dawn when I noticed Hannah’s side of the bed was empty. It was odd, considering we’d only fallen asleep a couple of hours before and she had been exhausted. I sat up, looking around the room for her, until I noticed the light to the restroom was on. I walked over only to see her figure through the glass door of the shower, running her hands through her long hair.
I was hard just looking at her.
Despite that, I knew there had to be a reason she was up so early. She never had been one to sleep in late, but three in the morning was kind of a stretch. After watching her for a few minutes, I approached her, sliding the shower door open and stepping inside with her. I wrapped my arms from behind, startling her only for second before she rested the back of her head against my shoulder.
We stood under the hot running water for a while, and I simply held her, committing to memory the feel of her body against mine. It’d been years since I’d had a woman in my home, much less my bedroom or in my fucking shower. There’d never been that interest, and I never trusted anyone after Hannah.
Ironically enough, the person who’d caused my trust issues was also the one who could fix them. And now she was here, in my arms with her eyes closed with such a peaceful expression no one would ever imagine the shit she’d been through.
“Sometimes I can’t sleep,” she whispered, keeping her eyes closed. “I heard my phone ring and I just…I couldn’t go back to sleep. My mind decides to go to Josh’s attack on Evie or the shit I saw in jail…people I met. It’s hard.”
“Who was calling? Are you okay?” I asked, placing a kiss on her neck. Knowing she had things that haunted her bothered me, but I knew Hannah wasn’t one to share how she felt. She kept to herself much like I did. This was new to her. To both of us.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. And it only happens sometimes…I try not to think about it. When it does, I’ll get in the shower, try to clear my mind, or I’ll go for a late night walk.”
“Does it help?”
He
r eyes fluttered open and she looked at me, the pain in her gaze too much to hide. “No. It’ll relax me, but I can’t go back to sleep.”
I nodded, tilting her head up so I could kiss her better, an attempt to soothe whatever hurt she had. “I can help,” I said, caressing the skin of her flat stomach, going just underneath her navel.
I’d never seen anything as beautiful as the way her brown eyes stared back at me with curiosity…lust. Need. Slowly, Hannah nodded, placing her hand over mine and lowering it down between her legs. Her gaze never broke from mine, but her lips parted in a soft gasp when my fingers met her heated flesh. There was something erotic about the way she held my hand, guiding me, even though I knew how she liked me to touch her. With the other hand, I took her breast, taking a perked nipple between my fingers, stimulating her in every way possible.
The way her chest heaved and her desperate pleas for release were a clear indication of what she wanted, and I sure as hell wanted the same thing. My tongue met the skin of her neck, and finally, Hannah closed her eyes, tilting her head to give me more access.
I wanted her to forget about everything, wanted her to erase the past from her mind. The things that haunted her—I wanted to delete all of it. The past was never easy to forget, and it would follow no matter the way our lives changed. But if I could help her numb those memories, even if it was only for a while, I would.
My fingers slid inside of her, causing a sweet moan to leave her lips. She was wet, so fucking wet, my cock twitched at the feeling of her surrounding my fingers.
The smell of her, the way her body responded, it was intoxicating. She was intoxicating.
“I can’t wait to be inside you,” I whispered in her ear. She shuddered, the flushing of her skin a testament to how turned on she was.
Hannah pressed her body further against mine, teasingly. I felt her flesh contract around my fingers and groaned, imagining what it would be like to have her legs wrapped around me like they had been earlier.