The Edge of Forever

by Jenika Snow

  Blake braced himself on one arm and looked down at her. He lifted his other hand and ran his thumb along the swell of her bottom lip.

  “No more waiting, Blake. Please.” She whispered the last and arched her hip, causing his dick to slide a little harder against her pussy. A shock went through her at the way his lids dropped to half-mast, and a steamy look moved across his face. “I’ve been waiting for years.” And at that moment she realized she had.

  “Poppy…” Blake reached between their bodies and gripped himself. He placed the crown of his erection at the entrance of her pussy and slipped inside. The broad head stretched her unused muscles. With every inch he sank into her, Poppy felt filled, claimed. When Blake was completely sheathed inside of her they both groaned.

  “So good, love.”

  Yes, it is. Blake paced his upper body fully on her chest and framed her face with his hands. The play of muscles that rippled along his shoulders and biceps spoke of his strength, and a gush of moisture slipped from her, further aiding in his penetration. He pulled out slowly and pushed back in. Over and over he did this, slow and easy thrusts that had her lifting her hips in hopes he’d go faster. Beads of sweat dotted his brow and slid down his temple. The force it took for him to control himself was astounding, but she didn’t want gentle. She wanted his sweat to drip on her as he pounded into her body. She wanted to just … feel.

  “I know you’re holding back, and I don’t want that, Blake.” Something shifted behind his eyes after she spoke, and his movements picked up. His cock slid in and out of her, growing faster and faster as his hips slapped against hers and the sound of wet flesh filled the room. Poppy gripped onto his biceps, the muscles rock solid beneath her touch.

  “God, Poppy,” Blake said harshly. He pushed himself up, forcing her hands to fall from his body. Blake gripped her inner thighs, pushed her legs impossibly wider, and stared down at where his cock sank into her pussy. He locked eyes with her and hoarsely said, “Look, Poppy.” The pleasure was insurmountable, but when she braced herself on her elbows and stared down at where their bodies met, the ecstasy rose. His cock pulled out, glossy from her cream, then sank back into her. Over and over he did this, the moonlight glistening off the wetness she created just for him. He placed his thumb on her clit and moved the bundle of nerves back and forth, back and forth, and she exploded without any preamble.

  Lights flashed before her eyes as her orgasm claimed her, body and soul. Blake didn’t relent as he pistoned in and out of her, drawing her climax to the peak then keeping it there until she couldn’t breathe. When the world came back into focus the image before her had her arousal racing to the forefront again. Blake looked wild, untamed, and full of heat. Sweat dripped down his chest in sensual droplets of salty pleasure. His short hair was unkempt, mussed, and wet from his perspiration, but he had never looked so good to her. Before she could even blink, Blake moved onto his back and had her above him, straddling him. His hands were on her waist, and he lifted her, forcing his cock to almost slip out before he impaled her on him. Poppy’s head spun as he did this continuously. All she could do was brace herself with her hands on his chest as he fucked her on his shaft.

  Grunts and groans left him and grew louder and louder. She knew he was close. Taking matters into her own hands, Poppy pressed all the way down on him and ground her pussy on his pelvis. A gasp left her when her clit rubbed against the short, coarse hairs of his lower belly.

  “Yeah, Poppy. Fuck. Yeah,” Blake said. He tightened his hold on her waist as she took over the rocking motions. Up and down she moved, sinking harder and faster on his cock until her head grow dizzy from it all. She placed her hands behind her, resting them on his muscular thighs and worked herself on him with more fervor. She was going to come again.

  The taste of sweet release was so close that on the next down stroke she ground her clit against him. The explosion inside of her rivaled a nuclear bomb. Poppy threw her head back and cried out as her pussy clamped down on his cock. Blake dug his fingertips into her, and his low, animalistic grunt signaled he’d found his own release. If it were even possible, Poppy felt him harden even further inside of her. She collapsed against his chest, their skin sweaty and their breathing cacophonous. Blake wrapped his arms around her and rolled so they were on their sides facing each other. The heavy length of him was still buried inside of her, and spasms continued to travel through her.

  For so long she’d lived in a bubble of hurt. Everyone around her had been so kind and caring, giving her the space and time she needed, but then Blake had called her and everything changed. Even now, with Blake’s arms wrapped around her and the euphoric wave of bliss still coursing through her, Poppy could imagine that things would be different.

  She had slept with Blake, Jon’s brother. A tear slipped from the corner of her eye, and she hid her face, not wanting Blake to see it. Inside were conflicting emotions, and she honestly didn’t know if her tears were for guilt or the immense happiness she felt. This was real, and she longer lived in the past. She couldn’t deny how she felt, couldn’t ignore the clear connection between her and Blake, but that didn’t make her emotionless. The steady thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump of his heart lulled her into a deeper relaxation, and she pressed her cheek harder against his chest. She had thought he was asleep, but then he kissed the top of her head.

  “You’re thinking too hard, sweetheart.”

  Poppy sighed because Blake was right. “I know, but it’s inevitable.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?” The husky drawl of his voice was laced with sleepiness.

  Did she? He always listened and never judged. “No, not right now.” Poppy just wanted to enjoy this moment where the guilt couldn’t touch her, and she had the warmth and safety of Blake surrounding her. He didn’t respond, just ran his hand up and down her back until she felt the tendrils of sleep curl around her and there was nothing but darkness to sweep her away.

  Chapter Nine

  Poppy blinked her gritty-feeling eyes open. The bedside clock showed five in the morning. The activities of the night before rushed back to her, and when she shifted the ache between her thighs cemented those memories. Blake wasn’t in the bed beside her, and when she ran her hand across the empty space, cool sheets greeted her. It was clear he hadn’t been lying beside her for a while. Poppy decided he probably needed some time alone with his thoughts, but then she noticed him standing on the deck right outside his French doors. He had to be freezing out there in only a robe and slippers.

  Poppy slipped from bed and grabbed the comforter thrown haphazardly on the bed. Images of why the blanket was mussed had her heart rate increasing. She stepped into her slippers and went to the doors. The glass was frosty around the edges, but she couldn’t feel the cold seep through the glass. Blake turned when he heard her open the door. Smoke billowed out around him, but it wasn’t when his warm breath hit the frigid air. The scent of cigarette smoke instantly hit her sense, and she frowned.

  “Thought you kicked the habit years ago?” Poppy closed the door behind her and stepped beside him. Blake took another drag of his cigarette and blew out a stream of smoke.

  “Yeah, I did.” He cocked his head to the side and smirked. “But sometimes my weakness kicks me in the ass.” He took one more drag and stubbed out the butt. He rested his forearms on the banister and looked ahead. “They’re horrible for my health, I know.” He didn’t look at her, but he grinned.

  A lot of things ran through her mind, but the silence felt serene, and for several moments she didn’t do anything but stand beside him and watch as the frost glinted off the moonlight like tiny crystals.

  “Why don’t you go back in, sweetheart? It’s freezing out here.” Blake wrapped his arm around her and rubbed her arm. Poppy wanted to press him, talk to him and see what he thought, but that wouldn’t accomplish anything. So, she nodded and pulled away from him.

  A moment passed when Poppy thought Blake might pull her back into the safety of his embra
ce, but instead he clenched his hands at his sides and turned away from her. A dejected feeling washed through. She slipped back into the house and forced herself to be strong. For some reason the feeling of being rejected slammed into her, so hard and forceful it sucked the air right from her lungs. She turned around and looked out the window. Blake’s shoulders were bunched, and his head was dropped low. White puffs of air left him, and his hands were tight fists in front of him. She knew that body language well, knew the emotions that practically slammed against the house. They were ones she had felt, had lived with for the past two years. It was regret.

  ****

  Blake’s balls were about to shrivel up and fall off from the fucking cold, but he refused to go back inside, especially now that Poppy was awake. Fuck. He felt like the biggest asshole for all but shoving her back in the house. He ran a hand over his face and breathed out. A light dusting of snow started to fall around him, just adding to the inches that already covered the ground. Being with Poppy was the best thing that had ever happened to him, but he couldn’t help but feel like the worst piece of shit alive. Here he had told her not to think so much, that what they had was special. All of that was true, yet after they had been intimate and she had fallen asleep pressed against him, Blake had done nothing but think about what they had done. The dual feelings of guilt and euphoria were at war inside of him. He had slept with Jon’s wife, the one woman whom his little brother had loved above all else. If that didn’t make him a Grade A prick he didn’t know what did.

  He could imagine the reaction of their families when he sat them down and told them the only woman he had ever loved was his sister-in-law. A humorless laugh left him.

  “You really are fucked up.” Blake tilted his head back and looked up. The sky was clear, with the hint of morning out over the horizon. Stars still dotted the sky, their bright, white lights flickering and pulsing with life and energy. Was there someone else out there, staring up at the sky and wondering the same thing at this exact moment? Did he have the same worries, the same hopes, and the same dreams? Did he love a woman who had been married to his brother?

  Blake hung his head and closed his eyes. Maybe he was taking advantage of her? He knew she still hurt over Jon’s death. Hell, so did he, but Poppy was having an especially difficult time. He couldn’t imagine what she went through with losing her husband and baby all in the same night, but he did know he wanted to be there for her, no matter what. The only problem was if he could let everything inside of him go so he could be the man she deserved.

  Blake pulled another cigarette out of the pack and lit it. He had quit smoking years ago, and the pack was just as old, but when he pulled away from Poppy’s sleeping body and stepped outside, he had needed something to calm his fucked up nerves. He inhaled deeply, the nicotine kicking in instantly, but the aftereffect leaving a hollow feeling inside of him. He stubbed out the rest of it out and sighed.

  He stayed outside until his fingers and toes became numb. When he stepped into his room he didn’t need to look at the bed to know it was empty. What did he expect, though? He had made love to Poppy then shut her out. The urge to go to her was strong, but he needed to think, needed to wrap his head around what the hell he really wanted. What he did know was that he loved a woman he had no right to love. Blake shrugged off the robe and stepped out of his slippers before slipping back in bed. The scent of Poppy rose up around him, and he closed his eyes and inhaled her into his lungs. Her side of the bed was still slightly warm, and he rolled over, burying his face in her pillow until every part of his body ached to be with her. Why did it have to be so hard? Why couldn’t it be easy to be with the woman he wanted?

  Because every time you look at her, touch her, kiss her, you’ll think of Jon and the way you’re betraying him.

  God, what she must think of him right now. Blake threw the covers off and stood. He didn’t bother with his robe or slippers as he slipped out of his room and made his way down the hallway to Poppy. The door was cracked, and he saw her body huddled in the center of the bed. He placed his hands on the doorframe and watched her, knowing he should go to her, hold her, and tell her that what they had done was good and right. He wanted to, itched to do that, but he was weak and a coward and didn’t move. Just as he turned to leave her soft whimper stopped him. Blake rubbed the center of his chest as his heart started to clench painfully. The sound of her crying felt like a bullet to his chest. He pushed the door open and stepped inside. When he reached the edge of her bed he could see her body shaking under the sheets. Her eyes were shut tightly, and Poppy had yet to notice his presence. Not worrying about anything but the woman before him, Blake slipped into the bed and pulled her to him. A small sound of surprise escaped her, but then she molded her body as close to him as she could get.

  “I’m so sorry, Blake. I don’t want to ruin what we have. I don’t want to lose you.” Her tears were hard and wracked her body, and so he held her tighter.

  “Shhh, I’m not going anywhere.” He kissed the top of her head and knew there was no way he could give her up. “I’m not going to let you go, Poppy.”

  She half laughed, half sobbed. “I hope not, Blake, because I don’t want you to let me go.”

  Chapter Ten

  One week later

  Poppy brought her sandwich to her mouth and took a big bite. Her focus was on the man across the room with his nose buried in a book. It was slightly humorous that he sat there so serious, like he worked out the world’s problems. He shifted in his seat, and the long-sleeved dress shirt he wore stretched across his chest. Lord, it should be illegal for a man to look that good. The light blue button-down shirt did nothing to hide his raw physique. Since they had sex seven days ago they had talked … a lot. It wasn’t just about Jon and their past. They also talked about plans for the future. It was strange sitting here, knowing that she had been intimate with Blake. The butterflies in her belly refused to relent, and the excitement that the black cloud that had hung over her head for so long relented, had her smiling more than she had in a very long time.

  “Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s rude to stare?” Blake kept his head lowered when he lifted his eyes to her. God, did he not know how incredibly distracting it was when he looked at her over the rim of his glasses? The smirk he graced her with let her know he was teasing.

  “I wasn’t staring.” Poppy looked down when she felt heat rise to her face. His deep chuckle had her looking at him and smiling.

  “Yeah, okay.” He leaned back in his chair and linked his fingers behind his head. The muscles in his biceps bulged and flexed, showing all his raw masculinity. “Come here.” His voice dropped lower, and instantly her nipples beaded. When she didn’t move right away he slowly leaned his forearms on the desk and stared at her. “Poppy, come here.” She rose slowly and walked over to him, anticipation beating through her veins like a tribal drum and rivaling her erratic heart.

  When the edge of the desk met the front of her thighs she stopped and swallowed. The level look he gave her spoke so loudly that his unspoken words screamed around her. His look was pure, unadulterated lust, and it was directed right at her.

  “You know how I knew you kept staring at me?” His low-pitched question helped to clear some of her arousal.

  She had no answer and shook her head. Why is it suddenly so hot in here?

  “Because I was staring at you.” This time there was no teasing note in his words, and a shiver worked through her. “Now, come here, Poppy.” Suddenly she regretted wearing heels because it seemed so much harder to walk in them.

  When she stood right in front of him she tried to slow her breathing, but just being near him had her inhaling the scent that was uniquely Blake. He leaned back in his chair and spread his legs slightly apart. Her pulse pounded in her ears and drowned out every other sound.

  “I want you right here.” He placed his hands on his thighs, his sight never wavering from hers. Poppy had never seen this side of Blake, commanding and sure of what he wa
nted. She stepped forward and went to sit on his lap, but he shook his head firmly. “No, straddle me.”

  Oh. She had never experienced this kind of rush before. Poppy liked it. She gripped the hem of her plaid skirt and slowly drew it up her thighs. Blake’s gaze dropped to watch the act. The stiff outline of his erection pressing against his slacks didn’t go unnoticed by her. The skirt was mid-thigh when she went to straddle him, but Blake stopped her when his hands landed on her waist.

  “Pull it up to your waist. Let me see your panties.” He flicked his eyes to her then back to her skirt. “Go on, love.” Poppy did as he asked and let out a shuddering breath as his lids lowered with his desire.

  “Blake…” His name came as a whisper from her lips.

  “Yeah, baby?” He didn’t take his eyes from her panties. A heady sensation washed through her from the power she held over this man.

  “What if someone comes in? What about Maggie?”

  He looked at her then. “Everyone’s gone for the day.” He smiled slowly. “Now,” he patted his lap, “straddle me.”

  Poppy placed one leg on either side of his thick, muscular thighs and lowered herself onto his erection. A gasp left her when the hardness pressed against her silk-covered mound. A low hiss left him when she sat fully on him.

  “You feel what you do to me, Poppy?” He closed his eyes and used the leverage he had on her hips to rock her back and forth on him. The motion had her panties slipping against her saturated folds. Over and over he rocked her against his hard-on, having her climb closer to climax. The look on his face told her he knew exactly what he did to her. Blake leaned in until his lips barely touched hers. “Does it feel good?” The movement of his lips brushing against hers had Poppy gasping in need.