by N. J. Young
“Good.” He ran his hands lightly up and down her arms. Taking a deep breath, he decided there was no better way to do this than to jump in.
“Do you like me?” Wow, he really hoped that didn’t sound like he was twelve years old.
A smile lit Tori’s face, and she giggled. Giggled. It was like music to his ears, cracking the tension in the room and allowing Ethan to finally exhale as he snorted a laugh.
“Yes, I like you,” she answered. “Very much.”
He smiled. That was good. “And did you like kissing me?”
He watched as her cheeks became that cute shade of pink. She took a deep breath. “I loved kissing you.”
“Loved kissing me?” Well, that was even better than he’d hoped. “Then can I ask why you ran off? Did I scare you?”
She shook her head. “It’s a long story, Ethan. It really didn’t have anything to do with you.”
“Then tell me, darlin’,” he said softly. He reached out to her again, stroking the back of his fingers down her cheek. She was so soft. “Talk to me.”
Looking up at him, she studied his face for a long moment as if trying to come to some sort of decision. Finally she said, “You might want to sit down for this.”
Chapter Eleven
When she finished talking, Tori took a deep breath and blew it out. She was afraid to look up at Ethan. Good lord, she doubted he knew what he was getting himself into. She’d told him of her time in foster care, and of how she got kicked out of the last one. Today had brought back so many bad memories, but none of it was his fault.
She felt his finger under her chin, tilting her head up so he could look into her eyes. That sapphire gaze held hers, and she swore she saw tears there.
“You’re a brave woman, Tori. Do you know that? Do you have any idea?”
“Brave? Me?” She snorted. She couldn’t help it. Had he not heard everything she’d just told him?
“Yes, you. You’ve reminded me what it really means to be strong on the inside, Tori. What it means to live your life. To take chances and go for what you want. That’s something I lost for a long time.”
He cupped her face with his hand, and the pad of his thumb traced over her bottom lip. She felt her breath catch in her throat, and her whole body seemed to ignite beneath his touch.
“I’m done running,” he said almost to himself. Before she had a chance to ask him what he meant by that, his mouth was on hers.
If there was a class on how to kiss, Ethan could teach it. He didn’t just lightly press his mouth to hers, but he claimed it in a way that made her feel as though she’d been his all along.
Tori raised her hands up to his chest and clutched his shirt, wanting to make sure he didn’t back away. She needed him closer.
Ethan’s hands tangled in her hair, holding her to him as his mouth angled over hers, his tongue tasting, dancing, lighting her up.
When he finally came up for air, Tori was panting. She couldn’t think of anything else but Ethan. He looked down at her with such emotion that it almost brought tears to her eyes.
His hands were still in her hair, and when she reached for him again, his fist tightened, holding her head still. Didn’t he want her?
Her brow furrowed as Ethan took a shaky breath.
“Darlin’, we need to stop. I came over here to talk to you, not take advantage of you.”
She would have laughed if he didn’t look so serious. “Take advantage of me? Are you serious?”
Oh my God, he is serious. Tori could see he wanted her. She could see how his hand shook when he touched her. But he was scared to make that one final leap that would bind them together. She’d pulled away from him earlier, and he was afraid she would do it again.
Well, if there was ever a time to be brave, it was now.
Tori stood up, backing away from Ethan.
Confusion crossed his face. “What are you doing? Do you want me to go?”
“No, I don’t want you to go.” She reached for the hem of her sweater, and in one swift move, pulled it over her head.
“Tori.” Her name was a silky warning on his lips.
But she didn’t stop. She shed the camisole she wore, and then attacked the button on her jeans. Taking a deep breath, she slid them down her legs and kicked them aside.
Ethan was frozen on her couch. A beautiful statue with his mouth slightly agape. The only movement she saw was the slight bob of his Adam’s apple when he swallowed deeply.
The cool air caused goosebumps to rise on her skin as she stood before him in her bra and panties. She didn’t have sexy lingerie. But thank goodness her pink bikini panties and pink bra were close to the same shade.
When she reached for the front clasp of her bra, Ethan’s voice startled her. “Stop!”
She froze, raising her head to look at him as he rose from the couch.
His large hands covered hers as he looked down into her face. “Are you sure this is what you want, Tori? Are you sure I’m what you want? There’s no going back from this. If you give yourself to me tonight, then you’re mine.”
Her heart soared. “There’s nothing I want more. Take me, Ethan. Please.”
Chapter Twelve
A groan escaped Ethan as he pulled her close, his mouth crushing down on hers. He released the front clasp of her bra, and her breasts spilled free. He stood back to look at those gorgeous breasts and watched in fascination as the perky pink nipples pebbled under his gaze. She was so beautiful. Like strawberries and cream.
Bending his head, he sucked a nipple into his mouth, and Tori’s fingers tightened on his shoulders as she drew in a sharp breath. She tasted better than he’d imagined. Her light floral scent had him hardening to the point of pain. He moved his head to the other nipple, sucking it in, biting gently as his hand came up, his fingers lightly pinching and pulling the other one.
“Ethan.” His name was a soft moan on her lips. “I don’t think I can stand.” He grinned against her, pleased he was having the same effect on her that she was on him.
“Well, then,” he said, “I’m happy to do something about that, but first we need to do something about the fact that you’re still a bit overdressed.”
“Overdressed? All I’m wearing is—oh!” she made a startled little gasp as he yanked her soft pink panties down her legs. When she moved to step out of them, Ethan took the opportunity to swing her in the air.
“There. Perfect. Now you don’t have to stand.”
“But that’s not fair. You haven’t taken anything off,” she protested with a little laugh.
“Oh baby, you should know one thing about me. I don’t play fair.” He leaned in to drop a kiss on her upturned mouth before heading behind the bookcase to the area she’d sectioned off into a bedroom.
A queen-sized mattress lay on the floor, but it was made up with a pretty floral bedspread and two bright purple throw pillows. A milk crate sat next to the bed serving as a nightstand, but it was covered with a colorful scarf. Ethan’s heart warmed at the sight. Tori could make the most ordinary things extraordinary.
He laid her on the bed and stood up to look at her. She was incredible. He could so easily sink into her and never come up for air.
Under her watchful gaze, he shed his sweater and jeans, pushing them past his hips and down his legs. When he stood up, his cock bobbed free, pointing directly at her as if it already recognized her as its leader.
Those big green eyes widened as she looked at him. When that soft pink tongue came out to swipe over her lips, his cock literally jerked in response, a pearly drop of fluid adorning the slit on the plum-shaped head.
“Can I … can I touch you?” Tori asked timidly.
“Of course you can touch me, darlin’. I want you to.” He just hoped he could control himself and not come in her hand like a teenager. Ethan was normally good at controlling himself, but around her, all willpower went out the window.
Her hand gripped him gently, sliding over the soft skin, and stroking light
ly downward. Yep, he was pretty sure she was trying to kill him. “You don’t have to be so gentle, baby. I won’t break. I promise.”
Taking a nervous breath, she gripped him more firmly, stroking up and down. Ethan leaned his head back, his breath coming out in a hiss. He didn’t notice her lean forward. He didn’t notice until he felt the soft butterfly tip of her tongue dancing along the head of his cock.
His breath came out in a grunt as his hand went to the back of her head, clutching spasmodically at her hair. “Sweet Lord in heaven, Tori.”
She backed away. “Did I do something wrong? I’m not very good at this. I—”
“No, baby, you’re perfect.” When she looked as though she didn’t believe him, his hand gentled in her hair. “Have you ever sucked a cock before?”
She drew that bottom lip between her teeth and nodded. “I haven’t done it much. I know I’m not very good, but I, uh, I just couldn’t help myself. I wanted to taste you.”
Ethan’s insides glowed at her statement. There was so much he longed to show her. He desperately wanted to show her how he could build her confidence once she offered him her submission. He would take care of her. He would teach her to be confident.
He knew all that would come, but right now, he would teach her to suck his cock. “You’re doing perfectly. But don’t worry, baby. I’ll teach you exactly what I like. You did just fine. Start with the head, and just lick me.”
When her tentative tongue came out, his cock jerked, and he gritted his teeth together in an effort to keep control. Her warm tongue traced all over the head of his dick as if it were a Popsicle she was lapping up greedily. He knew he couldn’t let her do this for very long.
“Like that?” she asked.
“Just like that.” His voice sounded husky even to his own ears. “You’re so fucking perfect.”
He stroked her hair, and watched as her spine straightened with confidence. She leaned in, tracing the underside of his cock with her tongue. Slowly exploring every ridge, every line.
“Tori, I need your mouth on me. Please. Suck me into your mouth.”
She pulled away and pursed her lips for a moment, studying him, clearly developing a plan of attack. Then she licked her lips and sucked his cock in firmly. When her teeth grazed lightly over the head, his hand tightened in her hair. She moved forward, sucking him deeper, her tongue exploring as she went. Then she pulled back up, her cheeks hollowing as she sucked firmly.
My God. He’d never felt anything like Tori’s mouth. This was the true definition of heaven. With every bob of her head, he felt himself edging closer and closer. He didn’t want her to stop, didn’t want it to be over, but he knew he had to.
On a groan, he pulled himself out of her mouth with a pop.
Her brow furrowed in a questioning look.
“Baby, I don’t want to come in your mouth. I need to be inside you. I need to feel your pussy around me.” He eased her back, kneeling between her legs. “Is your pussy nice and wet for me?”
A little shiver went through her at his words, making him grin. So his girl liked it when he talked dirty. He could definitely work with that. But he wanted something more.
“Talk to me, Tori. Tell me what you want. Tell me exactly what you want.”
Chapter Thirteen
Tori licked her swollen lips. She could still taste the light saltiness of Ethan’s pre-cum. She’d never thought a man tasted good before, but Ethan? She hadn’t wanted to stop. He tasted so good, she wanted all of him. She wanted to take him in and swallow him down.
But wait, he’d asked her something. What did she want? That was easy.
“You. I want you.”
A dimple peeked from the corner of his mouth as he grinned, and Tori had to suck in a breath. Did he know how sexy he was? When he’d taken off his sweater, her mouth had literally started watering. He was a work of art. His abs looked like they were chiseled out of granite. It should be a crime for someone to look as amazing as he did. And he wanted her. This perfect man wanted her. Her heart jumped for joy.
“Be more specific, darlin’.” He eased her back on the bed, resting his weight to the side of her, as one muscular leg tangled with hers. “What do you want me to do, exactly?”
“I want you to … to touch me.”
His fingers lightly stroked up and down her side, moving up to cup a breast and run a thumb lightly over her nipple.
“Like that?” he asked.
She shook her head. “You’re teasing me. That’s not nice.”
He arched a brow at her, his blue eyes dancing. “Then tell me what you want.”
“I want you to touch me … lower.” Her face flamed.
His hand moved lower, and his fingers danced lightly over her belly button. “Here?”
Tori groaned in frustration. “No. My pussy. I want you to touch my pussy. I need you, Ethan.”
He looked down at her, his smile fading, his eyes darkening. “Good girl. Was that so hard?”
Before she could answer, his fingers moved lower, sliding through her folds. She was embarrassingly wet. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked him to— “Oh!” One thick finger traced around her clit, sending her soaring.
“My God, baby,” he groaned. “You’re so wet. If I touch you, you’re going to go off like a rocket. You’re so ready for me.”
Leaning in, Ethan captured her mouth again. This time, there was no playing, no teasing. His tongue surged forward in a rhythmic dance, thrusting deep, signifying what she wanted his cock to do.
“Please, Ethan,” she begged, breaking away from his mouth. “Please.”
“I’ll give you what you want. What you need, and what I need.” He moved between her legs, and she spread them wide, but instead of thrusting deep, he moved lower, pausing to dip his tongue in her belly button, sending a shiver up her spine.
“Ethan, what—”
He moved lower. Oh no, no one had ever had his mouth on her before. Instinct caused her to close her legs, but Ethan’s hands were on her thighs, holding them apart. Before she could protest, she felt his hot breath on her pussy. Just the feel of his breath almost sent her over the edge.
“Ethan,” she breathed. Suddenly she felt his tongue on her. When he took that first long, slow lick, her entire body shook with need. She needed him inside her. She’d never needed someone before, but she needed Ethan like she needed her next breath. His tongue circled her clit, and Tori rolled her head from side to side. Torture. She couldn’t take this sweet torture. “Please,” she begged. “Ethan, please.”
She was writhing with need. If she didn’t come, she thought she might lose her mind.
“Not yet, Tori. You don’t come yet. You’re not allowed to come until I’m deep inside of you.” His voice had taken on a deep tone, the command sending her higher, making her insides churn with need.
She felt him chuckle against her. “Your pussy likes that, doesn’t it? You just got even wetter for me. It’s good to know you like it when I’m a little bossy.”
Bossy? Yes, she liked it. She loved it. She wanted him to take command, take charge. He was already in charge of her body, and her pussy knew it.
When his tongue speared up inside of her, she cried out. Her pussy clenched as his tongue-fucked her, and her hand tangled in his hair. She couldn’t take it.
“E-than.” Her breath came out in short bursts as he played at her pussy, sucking in each labia, darting around her clit with the tip of his tongue, driving her insane with need.
When he moved away, kneeling between her legs, she thought she was going to cry. She tried to catch her breath as he snatched his pants off the floor.
“I can’t wait one more second,” he growled. “I need to be inside you.” He fished a condom out of his wallet and ripped it open, sheathing himself in an instant.
“Yes,” she breathed as he settled on top of her. When she felt the tip of his cock against her swollen pussy, she wondered for a moment if he would fit. Then he surged forward, entering
her in one deep thrust.
“Oh, God!” Her legs went around him instinctively. She’d never felt so full. So alive.
He groaned. “Baby, you’re gripping me so tightly. I’ve never felt anything like it. I can’t last.”
He pulled back and thrust again deeply, causing Tori to cry out. She was so close. Her body was wound so tight. Ethan began to thrust. His face was clenched tightly as he tried to go slowly, pulling all the way out and then delving back in, grinding his pelvis against her clit. Tori could tell he was holding back. But she didn’t want him to. She wanted all of him.
Her body was taut, stiffening as she met each thrust. She could swear she felt his cock grow even more inside her, stretching her.
“Tori,” he ground out in a harsh tone. “Baby, please. I need you to come. Come for me, Tori.”
The deep command was what she needed to push her over that wonderful edge. Her entire body shook as the orgasm traveled up her spine and exploded, her body shattering into a million pieces. She held onto Ethan for dear life as he thrust at a rapid pace. Clutching him, she screamed out a garbled version of his name as she came in wave after wave.
“Oh, thank God,” he breathed. He thrust three more times into her spasming pussy before his face contorted into a mask of ecstasy. She felt his cock pulsing inside of her, prolonging her orgasm. Looking up into his face, she looked directly into Ethan’s eyes, their gazes locking as both of their bodies shuddered their release.
When Ethan slumped against her, Tori hugged him tight. Never in her life had she experienced something so incredible, so intimate, something so utterly…
“Perfect,” he said against her neck.
She smiled. “Perfect,” she agreed.
It had been perfect. Every single second.
Epilogue
Three weeks later
Tori hummed along to “Deck the Halls” as she glanced at the clock over the bar. Her shift was almost over, and then she could head to the boutique to get Ethan’s Christmas present. One thing she’d come to learn was that he loved chocolate. She’d had Becca order a box of his favorite Swiss chocolate. She couldn’t wait to give it to him.