Under Her Skin

by Mary Winter

  Never before had she felt this earth-shattering orgasm. Her eyes flew open, and she found Thanos watching her. Slowly, deliberately she scooted back against his cock. “What about you?” she asked when once again breath filled her lungs.

  “What about me?” Thanos arched an eyebrow. He flicked her clit. She shuddered.

  “Don’t you want to come?”

  “Don’t worry, baby. I will.” He massaged her clit with his thumb while two fingers stroked in and out of her. The lazy motion nearly drove her crazy. Hard and fast, she wanted him, the wild, mindless fuck his hungry kisses promised. The slow strokes only drove her crazy and made her want to impale herself on his thick cock, but oh, how sweetly his fingers stroked her pussy. She didn’t want move except to pump her hips against the motion and feel the swirl of her orgasm build again.

  He pulled away so slowly, she whimpered with need. Then, he replaced his fingers with his cock. Oh yes, the silken slide of him reminded her of her dream lover. Thick and long, he completely filled her. For long moments, he rested inside her. Then he began to move. Slowly at first and then faster. She met him thrust for thrust, the delicious sensation of being fucked by him driving all thoughts from her mind.

  He claimed her lips, letting her know in exact terms what he wanted to do ‑‑ possess her body and soul. Ari moaned into his mouth, so close to breaking, yet so far away.

  Thanos shifted his angle. With each stroke he brushed against her clit. Fisting her hands against his back, Ari convulsed around him. She pulled her lips away and screamed her pleasure as the biggest orgasm of her life ripped through her. Over and over until she lay beneath him, boneless with ecstasy.

  Pausing, Thanos brushed a sweaty strand of hair from her forehead. “You still with me, baby?” He shifted slightly, his cock stroking deep inside her.

  “Mmmm,” Ari said. She wiggled her hips, letting him know he wouldn’t rid himself of her that easily. “I think so.”

  “Good.” He thrust again, each stroke only lighting her anew. Ari kept her eyes open, watching the play of emotions across his face. He looked beautiful, face contorted with ecstasy. The cords of his neck stood out, and every muscle screamed of a man trying to find his release. Then, at last, his face changed into a mask of pure bliss. Above her, Thanos stiffened, and the knowledge that he came triggered her own orgasm. His cock pumped inside her, and for long moments, he remained there, like a he was caught in time.

  At last, he relaxed, his lips brushing against her forehead. His pants echoed in her ear, mirroring her own heavy breathing. Sweat coated their bodies. Lying beneath him, Ari knew she’d never felt as replete, or as satisfied as she was now.

  * * * * *

  A light breeze toyed with strands of her hair, blowing them away from her face. The sleeves of her long-sleeved shirt rippled in the wind, as did the skirt falling nearly to her ankles. Her sandals dangled from her fingers, her other hand twined with Thanos’s hand. He looked magnificent in a polo shirt open at the neck and a pair of khaki shorts. Sandals cradled his feet, and watching him stand on the sandy shore of Lake Michigan, Ari wondered if she’d ever seen a more attractive man. Gulls swooped and called out, entertaining those walking on the beach.

  Old habits died hard. She watched a young couple, the girl in a barely-there bikini playing Frisbee with a handsome man in swimming trunks. Ari forced herself not to be envious of the fact that she’d never wear a bikini again. At least not in public. Thanos stopped.

  She watched him stare across the lake, down toward the factories, or up toward the large sand dune towering over the cliff. “It’s not as beautiful as Greece,” she said at last.

  Thanos smiled. Turning toward her, he brushed his thumb across her chin. “She is beautiful,” he said. “I don’t think anything could compare.” His fingers toyed with the buttons on her shirt. Through the light fabric, she knew he saw her dark purple maillot. She loved the one-piece, and even with its scoop back had used it during physical therapy. He pulled one button from its hole, to reach inside and caress the silky fabric. “Aren’t you warm?”

  She was, but not from the sun overhead. “Couldn’t be better,” she said, reaching up to run her fingers through his wind-tousled hair. “But if you’re warm we could go sit in the shade.”

  Thanos nuzzled her neck. “I don’t think we need shade right now, honey.”

  Ari shivered. She knew what they needed, privacy and a few hours so she could fuck him again. Even though three days had passed since the earth-shattering night in his apartment, every night she’d thought of nothing but wrapping her body around his and never letting go. Ari wanted to dismiss the silly notion, though Thanos’s daily calls kept him foremost in her mind. He’d even ordered her more flowers, having Catherine create the order then calling him once Ari had left on her lunch breaks to pick them up. He delivered them in person, leaving after a chaste kiss or lingering caress. How much more of his teasing she could take, Ari didn’t know.

  He slipped another button free of its moorings, then another, until the blouse fluttered around her. “It’s such a gorgeous day. I think you have too many clothes on.”

  Ari chuckled, even as heat seeped into her cheeks. “You always think that.” Already they bantered like long-time lovers. Light-heartedness filled her as she freed the last two buttons, leaving the shirt open. It wouldn’t harm anything and still covered her back. Immediately she wished she hadn’t, for the material whipped around her.

  Thanos grabbed the ties. Quickly he fastened them under her breasts. Ari smiled at him. “Thank you,” she said.

  “The pleasure is all mine.” Leaning down, he brushed a quick kiss across her lips.

  Thanos loved the startled look on her face. Eyes wide, she stared at him. He knew her lips still vibrated from the quick kiss; he knew his did. With the ties of the shirt framing her full breasts covered by the purple suit, she looked good enough to eat. He wanted to, but with so many people on the beach, he doubted she’d agree.

  He wished she’d loosen up. Sure, he could see the faint outline of her scars through her shirt. He didn’t think she knew when the wind blew it away from her body and the sun shone through the material, it turned transparent. If she did, he had no doubt she’d scurry back to the car and demand to be taken home. Damn, he wished she knew her scars weren’t everything. Just looking at her tightened his cock. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he pulled her against his side, loving the brush of their bodies. More torment to be sure, but a delicious torment at that.

  Gulls cried overhead, drawing his attention from the white-capped waves of the lake. Nothing like the ocean, no, too small and contained, but if he closed his eyes and listened to the waves lapping against the shore and the cry of gulls, he could pretend he was back home in Greece. Only the tang of salt was missing from the air. Ari leaned against him, one arm slung around his hips. He longed for her to slide her hand into his pocket and feel how hard he really was, but doubted she’d do that in such a public place. Alas, in Europe women ran around topless on beaches and back when he’d been revered as a god… Thanos forced his mind away from the past.

  Arm in arm they walked a little way further down the beach where a young towheaded boy built a sandcastle. Ari watched him for long moments, a look on her face he’d seen many times. Children. Family. She wanted it all, but feared she’d never find it. He wanted to reassure her. Hell, to tell her he was a Greek god and could grant her every wish. He didn’t, more so because he feared that she wouldn’t want those things with him rather than worrying about his heritage.

  He’d come here to help her. Sure, he occasionally took on mortal form to frolic among his worshippers, but this was the first time he’d been moved so much by one person to come to her side. She didn’t want pity. He saw it in the strong set of her shoulders, her determination to make her life better. She wanted companionship. That, he could offer.

  “Want to go play in the waves?” He paused and started to toe off his sandals.

  “Sure, w
hy not?” She grabbed a handful of her skirt, holding it just at the middle of her calves. She had no scars there, he knew. They stopped just below her knee, and he’d kissed and licked each one. She dropped her shoes a good distance away from the waves, and his joined them, then she moved forward, hesitancy in every step.

  * * * * *

  Thanos bounded across the sand. His long strides brought him quickly to the water’s edge. He stood there as a wave washed over him, then quickly receded. “Come on in.” He motioned for her to join him.

  Ari watched. She longed to feel the water over her feet, to dig her toes into the squishy, wet sand. It looked so enticing, but she knew Thanos’s plan. He wanted her to loosen up, to have fun, and ignore the fact that scars covered her back and limbs. She knew if she lost the shirt and hiked the skirt to enjoy the day, he’d love it, and not just because of the view. Oh, how he tempted her. No one else seemed to notice them. The young couple moved their Frisbee game farther down the beach, and the boy’s mother pulled him away from the sandcastle. A few teenagers listened to music, and other beachgoers walked further away from the water. No, no one would probably notice if she bared everything. But did she dare?

  Thanos kicked water in her direction. It fanned onto the sand well away from her, but even so, she imagined she could feel the cool spray on her ankles. Pursing her lips, she stared at the handsome doctor as he splashed in the waves. A jazz concert, making love in his apartment, she’d seen many sides of him, but never this playful one. She liked it and desperately wished she could let her own playful side out.

  Ari inched toward the waterline. What could it hurt to get her ankles wet? She held her skirt with one hand, not wanting the faded, cotton fabric to get wet. Thanos smiled at her, the simple gesture warming her heart. He could make fun of her for being such a chicken. Instead, he gently showed her what fun it would be, and enticed her further. “Is the water cold?” Ari paused just beyond the reach of the waves.

  “Not really. Not once you get used to it.” Thanos flipped a little water in her direction. A few drops landed on her foot.

  Ari shivered at the chill touch of the spray, but ventured further. “A gentleman doesn’t splash a lady.” She tried to hide the wicked gleam in her eyes. A wave came in, and before he noticed, she kicked a large spray of water onto his legs.

  Thanos laughed. The warm notes filled her chest and made her heart expand. She could grow to like spending afternoons with this man, a lot. He kicked back, though the spray wasn’t as much. “You might want to hike up your skirt a little higher.”

  “Why, so you could look at my legs?” In spite of the teasing tone of her voice, she did as he suggested, bringing it nearly to her knees. Only a few more centimeters and her scars would show. She tried to ignore the fact and focus on the joy of having water splash over her feet. In Greece, she’d sat on the edge of the shore, feeling the waves lap at her skin. Looking over at the handsome man standing next to her, it would be too easy to imagine herself back on those idyllic beaches.

  A gull landed not far from her, bobbing in the shallow waves. Ari watched as it paddled out before taking flight again. The wind teased strands of her hair. Hastily, she brushed it behind her ears. She turned to find Thanos staring at her.

  Self-consciousness filled her. Though his gaze rested on her face and not her legs, she knew what he must imagine beneath her shirt and skirt, and it wasn’t the image of the purple one-piece caressing her curves, either. She wished she could get over the physical state of her body. After all, the crash had been years ago, and Thanos made her want to be perfect for him.

  “What is it?” she asked when his gaze didn’t waver.

  “You.”

  Ari backed out the water and dropped her skirt back down to her ankles. “What is it?” She turned, not wanting to see the pity she knew she’d find in his eyes.

  A few quick steps and Thanos wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Don’t run.” Gently, he turned her toward him. “Don’t go. I didn’t mean anything bad.”

  Ari squeezed her eyes shut to battle the tide of emotion rising within her. “I know,” she said at last. “It’s me. A day like today I should be focusing on the good things. Your wonderful company. The waves washing against the shore. The beautiful weather, anything but the fact that if my skirt came up a little bit higher, you’d see my scars. It’s a stupid little thing to hold me back, isn’t it?” She started to look down, away, anywhere but in Thanos’s eyes.

  A tilt of his finger beneath her chin, and she looked directly at him. “I’ve seen your scars, all of them.” Heat flared in his gaze.

  Answering warmth filled her pussy as she remembered in vivid detail how he’d caressed each scar with his lips, his tongue. He’d seen them all quite up close and personal and didn’t seem to be horrified. She licked her lips, suddenly dry, and he followed the movement.

  When she didn’t speak, he trailed his fingers along her arm, perilously close to the curve of her breast. “Your scars don’t bother me, Ari. They only remind me how strong you are to have survived such a thing. I can’t imagine you in the accident that caused them, and I can’t bear to think of you dealing with the grueling surgeries and physical therapy for so long. I’m a doctor. I know exactly what those scars mean, and they don’t repulse me.” His hand drifted lazily over the curve of her breast. “I’m not attracted to the flesh, but the woman inside it. It just so happens, her exterior is just as beautiful as the interior.” His hand closed around her breast and he kneaded softly, drawing a moan from Ari’s throat.

  Heat washed through her. She leaned against him, his thumb flicking across her nipple. Moisture flooded her pussy, and she wished he’d take her right there on the beach with the soft sand beneath her. A shiver darted through her. “Please,” she whispered, though she didn’t know for what she asked.

  “Please keep touching your beautiful breasts? Please keep telling you that I think you’re beautiful? Please make love to you?” His lips nibbled along her neck with every sentence, until he pulled the tip of her earlobe into his mouth and suckled. “What do you want me to do, Ari?”

  Take me. Make love to me. She refused to speak the words humming in her mind. The laugh of children, the rush of waves, all of it disappeared beneath the sensual onslaught that was Thanos. The ridge of his erection rubbed against her hip.

  “I ‑‑” She turned, lips parted.

  Thanos needed no further invitation. He kissed her, his tongue plunging deep into her mouth. She clung to his broad shoulders, wishing she could wrap herself around him and never let go. His tongue stroked hers, a gentle caress that left no doubt about his intentions. His right hand slid from her shoulders to cup her rear, bringing her in closer contact with his erection.

  Ari wanted to rub herself against his hard cock and purr like a cat. Instead, she twined her fingers around his neck and pressed closer to him. At last, she pulled back for air.

  Slowly, Thanos slid his hand from her breast to join its partner behind her. Holding her close, he rested his head next to hers. For long moments, he said nothing. Ari listened to the pounding of his heart and tried to calm the desire flaring in her blood. Like the god in her dream, he made her feel comforted, cherished, as if she could stay in his arms forever. She debated on telling him about her dreams. No, it would be her secret.

  Thanos stepped away and captured her hand in his own. “Why don’t we go play in those waves?”

  Ari nodded. Bending down, she picked up her skirt and knotted it so it fell down to her knees. At Thanos’s smile, she followed him to the water’s edge. All she had to do was remember her dream in Greece, then she wouldn’t feel so self-conscious about her scars. As the first waves broke over her feet and ankles, she looked at the man standing next to her. He made it easy to believe she was beautiful.

  Chapter Four

  Full on pizza, and listening to soft rock music coming from the radio, Ari leaned back in the car seat and enjoyed the sensation of being chauffeured by Thanos back
to her house. A flash of lightning shone in the distance, and Ari shivered with the chill blast of air from the air conditioning.

  “Too cold?” Thanos reached for the controls.

  “Just fine. Besides, we’ll be home soon.” She watched him slow the fan.

  “Yes we will. Then, I can warm you up properly.” He flashed a grin that sent heat straight to her pussy.

  Her nipples pebbled, though not from the chill air. She watched Thanos pilot the car, his hands sure on the gearshift, steering the car with confidence. Just like he drove her body. She tried to mask an indrawn breath just thinking about him touching her, caressing her. They hadn’t discussed what was going to happen tonight, but she knew, not from the kiss on the beach, but from the way he looked at her that they’d end up making love.

  Not sex. Ari bit her lip as he exited the highway and started to turn toward her neighborhood. It ceased being sex that first time. As much as she tried to steel herself against Thanos’s charms, she knew she was falling in love with him. She only hoped he felt the same, because after feeling beautiful in his arms, she didn’t want to leave.

  A companionable silence settled over the car, leaving Ari alone with her thoughts as Thanos navigated the streets leading to her small bungalow. At last, he pulled into the driveway next to her compact car and turned off the engine.

  “You fall asleep on me?” he asked as he unfastened his seat belt.

  Ari roused herself enough to shake her head. “Nope, just enjoying having someone else drive for a change.” She’d never felt comfortable with other people driving until Thanos. Quickly she unfastened her seatbelt and opened the door. “Want a nightcap?”

  “I’d love one.” He followed her out of the car, his hand solicitously on the small of her back as she walked to the front door.

  A few moments later she unlocked the door and led him inside. “Why don’t you take a seat on the couch? I’ll be right back with our drinks.”