Noah (Knight's Edge Series Book 2)

by Liz Gavin

  His chuckles heated her oversensitive nipple and she whimpered when he licked it. Once. Looking up into her eyes, mouth open and ready to swallow her pink flesh, he smiled and she thought her body would explode in multiple orgasms.

  “We’ve got the whole night ahead of us. Let’s take it slow,” he suggested as he teased her nipple with another firm lick, then trapped it between his white teeth. When she closed her eyes, he demanded, “Eyes on me. I want you to watch me worship you, see the pleasure you give me.”

  The novel concept was enticing and Ana would have enjoyed analyzing its multiple layers of meaning, if she had any brainpower left. As it was, her mind focused solely on the deliciously turgid point of contact between her body and Noah’s mouth. Sinful didn’t begin to describe the sensations he aroused in her. Wicked emotions, swinging between pain and pleasure assaulted her as he sank his teeth on her flesh, then soothed it with his tongue. She moved her body under his, rubbing her core against his erection, wrenching muffled whimpers from him with each pass.

  Since Paulo had turned her into the mess she had become, Ana dealt well with casual sex. No-strings attached suited her for practical reasons. She took care of physical needs with a human touch as opposed to the satisfying, yet colder, sessions she also had with her dildo. With Noah, she sailed uncharted, dangerous waters because she felt like he wouldn’t fit into the friends-with-benefits category. That realization hit her as she got rid of his shirt and fumbled with the belt and slacks to free his shaft. When her hand closed around the purple head and her palm registered the moisture denouncing his pleasure, Ana didn’t need to hear his rugged breathing to know how she made him feel. Yet she was aware she had the power to break his heart in a million pieces because he still didn’t know the whole truth.

  As Noah snaked his fingers and pushed the thin silk of her panties aside to search for her warm sex, all thoughts vanished and she moaned in response to the new wave of sensations that invaded her. He raised his hand to his lips and licked the evidence of her pleasure from his fingers.

  “See what you do to me?” His other hand enclosed hers, as she held his cock. “Your pleasure fuels mine. I’ve never felt about to explode like this just by kissing a woman. This is all you. I feel like this only with you.”

  She cupped his face and pulled him down, slating her mouth over his and kissing him with abandon. She didn’t know another way to express her feelings, so she tried to show him what she wanted. Besides fleeting physical pleasure, she wanted to put her painful, dark past behind her and believe the promises in Noah’s eyes could become a reality. She wished the sensations she experienced at that moment would last a lifetime. Most of all, she wanted to believe she deserved happily ever after with the sweet man in her arms.

  He kissed her back with the same passion. His hand found her wet folds again and he entered her with two fingers, searching her sweet spot, raising her temperature and preparing her for his large erection. Pleasure built up in her lower body, spreading like wildfire through her muscles and nerve-endings. She gasped as her body squeezed his fingers, so she rubbed his cock in response.

  “I need to feel you inside me, you’re killing me.”

  “No, I’m getting you ready for me,” he replied as his digits stretched her and went deeper.

  Noah had quickly become more than a one-night-stand for her. She knew casual sex wouldn’t work for either of them. She had realized that much as her heart dictated her decisions of late. For the first time in many years, she felt vulnerable like the naïve eighteen-year-old who had trusted her happiness into the hands of a selfish man who knew nothing about love. Hidden scars had a twisted way of sneaking up on people, though, so the ugly head of self-doubt raised itself and stole Ana’s confidence as flashes of Paulo’s abuse of her body popped up in her mind. She winced as her subconscious connected the budding feelings she felt for Noah with the devastating kind of heartache Paulo had introduced her to.

  Having no control over that part of her psyche, Ana’s body reacted with its automated self-defense mechanism. She froze under Noah’s delicate touch. It wasn’t fair to him, but she wasn’t thinking straight. Sensing her withdrawal, he stopped and searched her eyes. Even though he didn’t have all the facts, he gauged the situation correctly. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment and frowned as if to gather his own thoughts. When he reopened his eyelids, his stare pinned her down and he whispered softly, but forcefully, “I’m not him. I’d never intentionally hurt you. You know that, you’re just not thinking clearly. Open your heart for me. Let me in and I’ll show you how a real man treats a woman.”

  Relaxing in his arms, she ran her knuckles over his cheekbone. “I’m sorry. You’re nothing like him.”

  Flipping them over, Noah gave her control over their lovemaking. Kneeling on the bed covers, she rose above him. She tugged his slacks and briefs down his legs, getting rid of his socks and eyeballing the fine specimen that graced her bed. His large and long erection stood proud, demanding her attention and admiration. When she moved down him, intent on kissing that beauty, he held her forearms and stopped her. “I’d love to have your lips around my cock, but if you do it now, I won’t last. I want the first time to be inside you.”

  In that simple statement, he said so much and it made her heart twist inside her. He told her she had such power over his emotions that he didn’t control his body. That was the kind of compliment that won a girl’s heart. Hers was halfway there already.

  Reaching inside the night table’s top drawer, she fished out a strip of condoms. He deftly unwrapped one and sheathed himself. She leaned down to kiss him, mouth and teeth devouring each other. She moved her body along his, teasing his erection with her warmth, but never enclosing it. He pushed her down flush against his chest, her nipples poking his flesh, as his hands tangled in her hair and his legs crossed behind her ass. Half laughing, half gasping, she came up for air and stared into his eyes. It was time to stop fooling around and she recognized it.

  Leaning, she whispered inside his ear, “I want you on top.”

  He flipped them again, his powerful thighs pinning her to the mattress, his strong arms bent on their elbows, bracing his weight above her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him down, as he claimed her mouth. His hand found her sex and he penetrated her with two fingers, as if to check if she was ready for him. She was ready. Her juices covered them.

  “I guess you’re ready,” he confirmed her suspicion as he licked his fingers. That was so wicked, she felt more liquid pool inside her. “I’m dying to taste this directly from your body, but not now.”

  Guiding his head to her entrance, he stopped and leaned down to kiss her again. As his tongue caressed the inside of her mouth, his cock penetrated her tight sex. He moved inch by inch, giving her time to adjust to his girth. She rolled her hips to give him better access until he was all the way in. Before long, they set a rhythm so comfortable that it was as if their bodies had known each other forever.

  Their hands explored and discovered, caressed and aroused until they couldn’t keep their pleasure inside. She felt his orgasm wasn’t far as his stabbing got more frantic and his breathing shallower. Her own was just around the corner. Her walls had started to quiver, but she didn’t mind if he got there before she did. He filled her body with so many wonderful sensations, it didn’t matter who cried out first.

  Noah didn’t seem to agree with her, as he groaned when the first warm jet of semen filled the latex protection. His fingers tweaked her clit and he whispered, “Come with me.”

  Rolling her eyes and curling her toes, Ana wanted to scream his name, but her voice had left her. She opened her mouth and gasped for air, draped her arms around his neck and just felt it. She had never experienced an orgasm so fulfilling as that one. Her whole body tingled and vibrated under his weight. She stopped moving, stopped thinking for a moment. Then, she felt like floating down until she returned to his arms. Cuddled against his chest, she raked her fingernails over his
nipple and chuckled at the sharp intake of breath that made his chest undulate.

  “I need a minute, woman. I don’t run on batteries, you know.”

  “No, you don’t, sir.” She kissed his belly button. “I’m so glad you don’t.”

  “Naughty thoughts. I like those. Need my rest first.”

  She was happy to oblige. Snuggled up against his warmth, legs wrapped around his thighs, she fell asleep faster than she had in a long time.

  8

  Noah

  Waking up to Ana’s warmth could easily become his favorite thing. He ran his knuckles along her spine, her silk skin inviting him to explore. He wanted to lose himself in her, no doubt about that. He just felt they should go slow. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her. Not after the asshole of a first boyfriend she had the misfortune to have.

  That was why he had taken it easy their first time. In fact, he wanted to taste every inch of her and make her come, screaming his name, until her throat felt sore. He wanted to wipe her past experiences and brand her as his. That way, she would know he was the only one for her. He restrained himself, though. There would be plenty of time for that.

  Considering what he would show her for their round two, he grew impatient. It wasn’t even eleven, so sleeping seemed a waste of precious time. He pulled the sheet down to expose her tanned back, since Ana slept with her face snuggled against his neck. He raked his fingernails down her body to tease her butt crack with a finger. She wiggled and groaned, but didn’t open her eyes or indicate she was awake. He nibbled her shoulder and she stirred on top of him, limbs stretching as she regained consciousness. The most beautiful smile curved her lips, eyes still closed.

  Her throaty voice whispered in his ear, “Like sleeping with you.”

  “Like that too, but waking up with you is even better,” he spoke inside her ear, licking it and feeling great when she trembled. “Let me show you what would be your wake-up call every morning, if you slept in my bed.”

  He flipped her on the mattress and moved down her body, before she realized his intention. He smiled against the sensitive skin of her thighs when she tried to close them, but his head got in the way. “Relax.”

  “Noah, I’m still sore.”

  “That’s why I won’t use my cock,” he winked and was delighted to see her blushing. “That shade looks lovely on you. Pink is my new favorite color.” He draped her endless legs over his shoulders and watched her exposed body contract in anticipation. Running his tongue over his lower lip, he stared into her eyes. “You’ve no idea how many times I fantasized about you in this exact position.” Caressing her leg, his fingers moved from her calf to the top of her thigh, then an index finger poked her clit. “I love your legs. And your ass. And your breasts.” He left a trail of open-mouthed kisses along her thigh as he spoke.

  She moaned and bunched the sheets inside her fists. Her feet locked behind him and it was all he could do not to plunge inside her like a starving man. Instead, he blew softly inside her folds before licking her once. Her taste sizzled through him like lightning. He was hooked and he wanted more. So, he pleasured her, made her writhe and moan under his mouth and tongue, just so he had more to feed on. When her body tightened around his tongue, he cupped her breasts and caressed her nipples.

  She arched her back off the mattress. “You’re killing me.”

  “Don’t hold back,” he suggested, mouth full of her.

  The tremors intensified and he knew she was close, so he trapped the hard nub between his teeth and flicked his tongue over it. She came undone, thighs pressed together, squeezing his head. Her hands pulled at his hair as she filled the room with the most beautiful sound; Ana screaming his name at the top of her lungs.

  He moved up the bed and collected her pliant body against his chest. Kissing her lips to soothe her, he felt her smiling.

  “What?”

  “You might just become my drug of choice, Mr. Cartwright. I’ve never been inclined to abuse drugs, but I’m becoming addicted.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  She cupped his face and pulled back. “Call me crazy, but I feel like going out and shouting from the rooftops.”

  “What would you shout?”

  “That Noah Cartwright makes me happy like I’ve never felt before.”

  “Nice sentiment, but we should want to be more discreet.”

  “What are you talking about?” She sat upright on the bed, her whiskey eyes twinkling and her cheeks rosy.

  He asked himself if he had created a monster, but such a lovely one. He smiled at her and replied, “You wouldn’t like to share something so intimate with the whole wide world.”

  “True. Still, I feel like going out, dancing in the street or something crazy like that.”

  “What’s gotten into you, woman?”

  “You.”

  “Now, it’s my fault?”

  “Yeah, you’ve showed me how much I’ve been missing out on. I don’t want to miss out on anything else.”

  He tried to put his arms around her to pull her closer, but Ana jumped off the bed before he had a chance. “Come back here. This is the best place for me to show you what else you’ve been missing.”

  “Very funny,” she replied without looking back, from the bathroom doorway. Then, she stopped and turned to face him. “Let’s go for a moonlight walk on the beach. I’ve always wanted to do that with the right guy.”

  “You implying I’m the right guy?”

  “Don’t get cocky. Get ready. We leave in five.”

  She shut the door behind her and he plopped himself on the feather pillows. Maybe he had created a monster, but he didn’t care. An innocent walk down the beach at night was going to be fun. He was amazed at how fast he was falling for her. He felt there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. He would love to start by tracking down that Paulo Fonseca guy, in whatever rat-hole he called home, and tear his limbs apart. Considering he had always been an advocate for non-violence, that said a lot about how much he hated the scumbag for having put Ana through hell.

  When he heard the water running inside the bathroom, he made haste of putting on his slacks and shirt. He didn’t bother with the tie because he couldn’t find it on the floor where the rest of his clothes had landed.

  She strolled out of the bathroom and eyeballed him. “Ready?”

  “When you are.”

  “Great. Let’s do this.”

  On their way out, Ana grabbed two glasses and a bottle of red wine. “Planning to get me drunk, miss? You’ve already had your way with me tonight.”

  “I want to celebrate. This has been the best night of my life and I want to drink to it.”

  Noah puffed out his chest. He wouldn’t deny her words stroked his ego. “You’re aware that if we get drunk, the night will end too soon, right?”

  “It’s all fine. I want to learn to be as carefree as you are.”

  “I don’t need to drink for that, but I see your point.” He threw his hands up at the frown on her face. “I won’t be a party pooper.”

  “Good. I don’t need one tonight.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Holding her hand when they got to the sidewalk, he grabbed the bottle with his free hand, while Ana carried the glasses. The expansive beach with over two miles of extension made it hard for them to walk all the way to its end. They chose a nearby group of rocks, midway between the promenade and the water, and sat down, facing the sea. The temperature had dropped and the coat Ana had on over the dress didn’t seem enough to warm her up because she trembled as she hugged her legs and rested her chin on her knees.

  He scooted over and sat with Ana between his legs, her back against his chest, his arms hugging hers. His body shielded her from the wind that blew from the oceanfront avenue towards the water. He would happily stay like that forever, but the wine might help them get warmer.

  He suggested with a whisper, “Let me pour us some wine. It might help to warm us up.”

  “I
forgot how chilly nights can get here.”

  They sipped their drinks and absorbed the peace of their surroundings. Ana leaned her head back against his shoulder and he watched the waves break on the sand.

  When they finished the bottle, their quiet was broken by the sounds of drums. Not the kind he played, but a tubular bass drum known as conga drum. The rhythm had a hypnotic quality to it that ignited his curiosity. About three hundred feet from them, to their left, there was another group of rocks. The quiet night allowed the sounds to reach them, but he couldn’t figure out what was going on or why they were playing drums. Ana also stretched her neck towards the rather large group of people, all dressed in white, that gathered near the rocks.

  “Let’s find out what they’re up to,” Noah said as he stood up and offered his hand to help Ana.

  She swayed and he had to steady her by holding her forearms. “Guess the wine got to my head.”

  “I’d say so. You okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. A little giggly, but fine.”

  As if to prove her point, she doubled herself laughing for no apparent reason. “What’s so funny?”

  “Giggly. It’s a silly word.”

  He rolled his eyes and tucked her under his arm so she wouldn’t fall and get hurt. “If you say so. Sure you want to walk over there?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  She tried a military salute, but missed her forehead completely. “I like drunk Ana.”

  “Drunk Ana is great! I like drunk Ana as well,” she slurred and they both laughed.

  As they got nearer, Noah determined the group was performing some kind of religious ceremony. In the middle of the group, a statue stood as tall as any person. He knew that image, it was Iemanjá, the sea goddess. In Brazil, many people followed Umbanda, one of the religions introduced in the country by the slaves captured and brought from Africa. The lady with long black hair and a blue dress was a constant presence along the country’s more than eight thousand kilometers of coast. She would appear in statues of all shapes and sizes since people believed she protected them against the dangers in the ocean.