by Malone, Nana
He nipped her lips playfully again. “You’re safe with me.”
Abbie slid her hands into his hair and tugged gently. “I want this to happen. I want to know what it feels like to lose control with you.”
He groaned and laid his forehead against hers. “You’re killing me. You’re not supposed to tell me that. Now I’m even less likely to behave myself.”
“I don’t think I want you to behave.”
His eyes flared, and his hands flexed on her ass. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Just once. I want to go after what I want. And you’re what I want.”
It took him seconds to get down to her room, and with a yank of her door, he had her deposited on her bed in even less time. He followed her down, leaning his body against hers. He nuzzled her neck first with his nose, then took quick, tiny, love bites. Abbie clutched him to her.
Lex sat back and studied her face. He drank in the sight of her. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”
She quickly averted her gaze, and he tipped a finger under her chin to bring the attention back to him.
“I mean it.”
Lex traced the back of his fingertips against her cheek. Her eyelids fluttered closed as she waited for the kiss. When none came, she opened her eyes to catch him watching her. “What?”
He shook his head. “I’m just looking at you. I want to freeze this moment in time.”
When he kissed her, his mouth was soft, as if asking for permission. The tip of his tongue edged over her lips, and she parted them. In slow delicious licks, he explored her mouth, sliding his tongue against hers. Comingling their breaths. Devouring her.
He tugged her up on the bed and smoothed his hands over her arms until she raised them over her head. Slowly, he tugged off her sweatshirt, then her tank top leaving her in just her bra and sweatpants. For a long second, he stared at her. He traced his fingertips over the overflowing lace cups of her bra just as Abbie reached behind her back and unsnapped it. Her breasts spilled forward, and Alexi groaned.
His eyes darkened from silvery gray to slate. “I have been dreaming of your breasts and how they taste since the other night.”
Feeling a little self-conscious, Abbie hesitated before sliding the garment off her arms.
The moment she was free from the satin, Alexi reached for her and kissed her again as he slowly set her back on the bed. His hands traversed the bared flesh from her waist to just beneath the soft flesh of her exposed breasts.
Abbie wove her hands in his hair, luxuriating in the silky feel. His thumb traced the underside of her breast, and her breath caught. She lifted her hips off the bed, bringing her aching center in contact with his erection.
He groaned and squeezed his eyes shut. “I’m fairly certain that you’re going to kill me if you keep moving like that.”
Eager to test out his theory, Abbie rocked her hips again, and Lex cursed under his breath. “Shit, Abbie, I’m trying to go slow here.”
“How’s that working for you?” She rocked again.
He molded his hand to her breast and rubbed his thumb in a circle over her nipple. “It’s an exercise in control.” Between his thumb and forefinger, he rolled the tight bud and pinched it softly. Abbie’s hips bucked, and she cried out.
Lex nuzzled her breasts, kissing each one in turn. “How are you feeling? Still better than okay?”
Abbie smoothed her hands over the hard ridges on his shoulders. “Y-yes. Just surprised.”
“A good surprise or a bad surprise?”
“A good one,” she responded softly. She’d never been this vocal in bed before. A small part of her worried she was doing it wrong. “A very good one.”
“Excellent, let’s see if I can’t do that again.” He latched his lips around her nipple and drew deep. The thick ridge of his erection aligned with her hot center, and he sent charged electric pulses to her core as he took long pulls from her breast.
Abbie’s breathing was ragged as she called his name. “Alexi.”
“Mmmm?” He turned his attention, and his expert tongue, to her other nipple.
“You’re still dressed.”
He pulled back and stared at her heaving chest, seemingly mesmerized. Sitting back on his heels, he yanked his sweater over his back and off his head. Abbie sucked in a shuddering breath when she caught sight of the hard muscled abs underneath. Wow. The other night, it had been too dark to get the full effect. He looked like he’d been chiseled out of stone. Surprisingly, he also had several tattoos. Something that looked like writing on his ribs and wrapping around his back. And a Gemini tattoo over his heart. But there wasn’t much time to explore the beautiful man in front of her. Apparently he had other plans.
He caught her staring at him and smiled. “Come to think of it, you’re wearing too many clothes entirely.” His hands tucked into the waistband of her sweatpants and her panties, and he tugged them down, smoothing them over her legs.
Abbie jolted when she realized she was naked. The shocking vulnerability threatened to take hold, but she held it at bay by meeting his gaze directly. She could do this. She wanted this. He was so unbelievably sexy. And she’d already come to care about him more than she probably should, but she couldn’t help that.
Mimicking him, she said, “You’re still overdressed, Alexi.”
He chuckled. “Okay, you might have a point there.” Shifting off the bed, he yanked off his jeans and grabbed his wallet before discarding them. Abbie tried to meet his gaze but she couldn’t. Her eyes focused on his thick erection. She swallowed hard.
“Sweetheart, my eyes. They’re up here.”
Flushing, she dragged her gaze up to meet his. As if sensing her sudden hesitation, he kissed her again, slowly as if to tell her no pressure. What she’d wanted was a flash of heat and torn clothing. But he was giving her seduction. She was afraid of seduction. Afraid of wanting it. Afraid of needing it. “Alexi, I—”
He lifted his head. “You want me to stop?” His eyes pleaded with her to say no, but his set jaw told her he was prepared to.
“No. I just—I—” No matter what she tried, she couldn’t get the words out properly.
“Whatever it is, you can tell me.”
Abbie swallowed. “I don’t have much experience. I haven’t got a clue how to seduce or anything.”
The smile that spread across his face was possessive. “You’ve been seducing me with your eyes, your smile, and your lips since the moment I met you. I’m about to die because I want you so bad, and you want to pretend you haven’t got a clue how to seduce? Me thinks the lady wants to torture me some more.” He nipped at her shoulder.
She giggled. “I’m serious. I need you to take the lead.”
“And so I am. I want you so much I can’t think straight. I can’t focus. All I can think about most days is how you sound when you laugh. And how you taste. I can take the lead if you want, but don’t worry about seducing me. I’ve been seduced since we fell into that puddle.” He kissed her again. This time a little more demanding. Instead of teasing her tongue into mating with his, the kiss was authoritative. Skilled and demanding.
He shifted over her until he settled between her thighs, and she could feel the heat between them. His erection was mere inches from her slick core. One shift of her hips, and he’d be nudging her entrance.
Lex dragged his lips from hers and placed open-mouthed kisses along her jawline, the column of her throat, her collarbone. When he dipped to kiss her breasts again, she moaned just before his lips covered the pointed tip. With his other hand, he teased the other nipple until she whimpered. Releasing her nipple, Alexi continued the path of hot kisses down her stomach, past her belly button. He nipped at her hip bone, and she squirmed. Was he going to—
Oh. God. Yes.
Alexi settled between her thighs and gave her a long leisurely lick of her heated center. Abbie dug her hands into his hair. She felt him shiver, but he didn’t stop the long expert strokes of his tongue, except to
occasionally pause and suck on her flesh.
Electricity singed every nerve ending as he continued to lap at her. Quivers began deep inside her womb, spreading throughout her body until she thought she would crack under the pressure.
Lex’s deft thumbs separated her flesh slowly. He slid a finger into her and murmured against her flesh. “C’mon sweetheart, come for me. I want you to come.”
Perhaps his permission was all she needed. Maybe the sensations were too much. Maybe he was too skilled with his tongue. Maybe she knew he was the only man who could ever make her come. Whatever the reason, she broke apart in his hands, shattering into a million pieces as her orgasm rolled through her.
“Alexi.”
He waited until she stopped shaking, then kissed the inside of her thighs and licked his way back up her body. He brushed his lips to hers briefly. “You are amazing. I’m dying to see that again.” Abbie flushed and looked away, but he turned her to face him. “You’re beautiful, always.”
Warmth bloomed in her chest and spread to each of her extremities. She was falling for him. There was no point in lying to herself. There was nowhere else in the world she would rather be.
She turned into him and kissed him, tasting herself on his tongue and pouring all the emotion she felt into it. He groaned into her mouth as she sucked on his tongue. Feeling emboldened, Abbie trailed her hand down his chest. He drew in a ragged breath when she found what she sought.
“Oh, fuck, Abbie.” His hips bucked, pushing his straining erection into her hand.
She trailed hot open-mouthed kisses along the column of his throat and relished in the feel of his stubble. When she found his nipple, his hips bucked again. With her thumb, she stroked the soft round head of his length, spreading the moisture that had leaked.
Hovering her lips over his erect nipple, she whispered, “Is something wrong, Alexi?”
Something that sounded like a strangled moan tore from his chest, and he dug his hands into the sheets.
“I’ll take that as a no.” Abbie brushed her lips over his taut nipple, and she felt the shudder that rolled through his body. Carefully, still milking his erection, she grazed his nipple with her teeth.
He bucked again, digging a hand into her braids, gently tugging her head back. “I swear to God, Abbie, you have to stop. Right now. If you don’t, I’m not sure I’ll be able to—”
She ignored him, instead grazing his nipple and pumping his erection again.
Before she knew what was happening, she lay flat on her back and he had her hands locked above her head, restrained with one of his. His hold was gentle, if she’d wanted out of it, he would have let her go. And he kept most of his weight off of her, giving her space, showing her she could trust him with her body. “You’re a very naughty girl.”
Quickly, Alexi reached under the pillow and grabbed a condom. Rolling away, he sheathed himself before settling back between her thighs. He kissed her deep, and Abbie widened her legs to accommodate him. His erection nudged her, and she moaned as he rocked inside.
“Wow.” Alexi dropped his forehead her hers. He retreated an inch, then pressed forward again until he was fully seated inside her. “Abbie…” Her name on his lips sounded reverent.
Her gaze met his and immediately all her insecurities vanished. All her worries. None of it mattered anymore. In this moment, everything was perfect. She felt perfect.
The corners of his lips tipped into a lopsided smile as he retreated and sank back in. The need took her body again as he drove her higher and higher. Abbie clamped her legs around his hips, and he muttered curses under his breath. When she pulled him to her for a kiss, he growled low in his throat.
Abbie nipped his lower lip with her teeth, and he scooped his hands under her ass, lifting her hips to his. The new angle had him stroking a sensitive spot deep within, and she sobbed at the pleasure. Her toes curled as she held onto him. Only when she murmured his name on a sigh did he stroke into her a final time, then cry out her name on his climax.
* * *
Satiny heat slid across Lex’s body from chest to feet. He inhaled Abbie’s ginger and pumpkin shampoo. She smelled so good. She felt even better, warm and soft tucked into his side. Cranking an eye open, he took in his surroundings. Everything in the room was white. From the curtain hangings to the duvet to the wicker rocking chair in the corner. On the bureau were dozens of photos. And on the far wall, he recognized some of the photos he’d taken with Abbie.
Her deep, even breaths told him she was still out. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d actually slept with someone. The few times he’d tried always ended up with a disastrous nightmare.
But with Abbie, he’d actually been able to escape his nightmares. More like he passed out after exhausting himself. He hadn’t slept for more than two hours at a time in over a month. But with Abbie, all he’d dreamed about was her. Guilt pricked at his subconscious.
He had to deal with the Gemma situation. She’d encouraged him to go after Abbie at the party, still he had an obligation. But it was way past time for him to start living his life. Gemma would have to understand. And staying away from Abbie wasn’t going to happen. It was almost as if she’d dragged him into her gravitational orbit with her wit, strength, and beautiful smile.
He picked up one of her slim braids and inspected the woven strands of black and lighter brown pieces as they shimmered in the soft morning light. She shifted in his arms, grinding her hips into his crotch, forcing a hiss from him as his semi-hard dick sprang to attention.
As if they were heat seeking missiles, her hips scooted back into his, and he gnashed his teeth together, praying for control. She was so hot, so undeniably sexy without even trying.
What the hell had he gotten himself into? He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anybody in his life. But if he wasn’t careful, he’d lose her. He had too many balls to juggle. The safest thing for him to do was to leave her alone. But he knew he couldn’t give her up. He wanted a thousand moments like this. Mostly because he was a selfish wanker.
She wiggled again. Lex continued to hold her and ignored the sweet agony. Fascinated by the contrast of his tanned hand and her smooth, gleaming, dark skin, he stared as his thumb drew lazy patterns on her shoulder. He could ignore it, just for the pleasure of holding her.
Ah, who the hell was he kidding? He was moments away from waking her when she wiggled again. He wanted her. Again. But he’d had her three times in the middle of the night.
His hand rested on her hip and reflexively contracted when she scooted her ass further into his groin. He groaned. “Jesus, Abbie, I’m only so much of a gentleman. You do that again, and I’m not going to be responsible for what happens.”
She giggled, and the sound was low and earthy, like she should do nothing but laugh all the time. “If you want to pretend later that I took advantage of you in your weakened and food-deprived state, then that’s okay.”
He grinned. “The authorities will eventually find me in here naked, half starved, tied to the bed, and horny, very horny.”
She turned in his arms. “Now we’re talking.”
The shy looks and tentative touches she’d given him the night before were replaced by bolder, more deliberate caresses. She was no longer timid, but a woman completely aware of her sexual effect on him. Her delicate fingers wrapped around his erection, and she purred. His brain short-circuited, and he moaned as he pushed the hard length of him into her hand. She slid her soft palm over the tip of his dick, and he shuddered. He could come right now. With no effort, she’d reduced him to a pile of hormones. A pile of hormones with no brain that would have completely forgone the basics of survival for sex.
“Alexi,” she whispered and kissed his chin.
Heavenly bliss radiated through his body, and all he could focus on was her voice and the way her soft hand worked him, bringing him closer and closer to the edge of oblivion. He’d wanted her for so long. Now that he had her, he couldn’t control himself. That was a
dangerous and heady combination.
“Do we have any more condoms?”
His eyes fluttered open as his brain had a panicked start. Condoms. Damn. They’d used three last night. He only brought a pack of four. If he was staying the weekend, they’d need more. Lots more. “I only have one left.”
“Hmm, that is a problem. We can raid Tamsin’s chest, but more than one, and she’d probably notice. We’ll eventually have to go get some more.”
He shuddered as her hand slid down to the root, then back to the tip again. The pressure she used was exquisite. Last night, between lovemaking sessions, they’d spent hours exploring each other’s bodies. Touching, experimenting. In a few short hours she’d become an expert on how to drive him to the brink of madness.
Unable to take her teasing anymore, he snatched up his wallet, grabbed another condom and tore open the foil. He rolled away from her and quickly slid the condom on before rolling onto his back. “I see you like to tease me. You like the control.”
She smiled at him. “A little.”
“Then come here, love. Show me what it feels like to have you in complete control of my body.”
She levered a bare thigh over his waist and positioned herself over him. As she slid down over the length of him, he knew how much danger he was in. He was falling in love.
* * *
Abbie woke with a start to violent thrashing next to her. Quickly, she scrambled out of the way to avoid an arm.
“No, God, no, please stop. You’re hurting me, please.”
Abbie shook as her heart thundered. What the hell was he dreaming about to provoke such a violent reaction? “Lex,” she called out. “You’re okay, you’re having a bad dream.” She watched him carefully, but he still tossed in the bed, with his legs tangled in the sheets. “Lex, I need you to wake up.”
“Oh God, oh God, oh God, what did I do? What did I do? Everyone will know. What have I done?” His voice was tinny and raw, not like the man she knew, but more like a small child’s. Shit, what was it they said about waking someone one from a dream? Was she supposed to wake him or was she supposed to let it play out? Fuck her, she had no idea. But she sure as hell couldn’t leave him like this. He might hurt himself.