Merlin barely heard the whispered word as she breathlessly said, “Yes.”
But that one word was all he needed, what he’d been waiting for, and now, he had his answer. It took all his restraint not to toss her onto the bed. She looked so fragile as she bit her bottom lip. Forcing himself to be gentle, Merlin slid his arms around her waist and tugged her against him, her breasts brushing his chest. So soft.
His erection pulsed between them. She moaned and squirmed against him, and he groaned, his willpower threadbare. The tip of his finger lifted her chin. He needed to read her eyes, and his breath caught in his throat at her awed expression. Beautiful. His. The words flashed in his thoughts, and he didn’t deny them.
“I’m going to love every inch of you until you scream my name. Then I’m going to do it all over again,” he murmured against her lips as his hand slid through her silky curls to cup the back of her head.
Gwen’s soft moan parted her lips and allowed him access. He took possession of her mouth, his tongue dueling with hers. She tasted like red wine and desire. He lifted her and placed her on the bed and stepped back to rein in his emotions.
Longing glittered in her emerald-green eyes, weakening his knees.
“What’s wrong?” she whispered, her lips barely moving.
“I don’t want to hurt you…”
“You won’t, you can’t. I want this.”
“But…”
“No, Luke. You gave me the choice, and I chose you. No turning back now.”
Merlin swallowed his groan. The woman did not understand. Her flushed cheeks and swollen lips triggered feelings he wasn’t ready to acknowledge. Instead, he focused on the petite redhead on the bed in white lace.
He climbed onto the bed like a predator stalking its prey until his erection rested against her stomach. Lowering, he balanced on his elbows. Eyelids drifting shut, she shivered as he nibbled her earlobe and licked just under her ear. His mouth darting farther down, he licked and nibbled until he reached her lace-covered breasts.
Her hard nipples pushed against the thin fabric of her bra. Slowly, he drew his tongue across the heated peak before sucking it into his mouth, biting then licking to ease the sting.
After loving on the other breast, he made his way down to her stomach and hips, licking and nipping, leaving small, wet marks like a bath along her skin.
“Oh, God, Luke. Please.” Gwen groaned and arched up against him.
His cock throbbed in answer, but he wasn’t nearly done with her.
“Patience, princess. Our first time has to be special.” Before his words evaporated into the air, he sucked her lace-covered clit into his mouth. Her panties were soaked, proof of her arousal, and her sweet scent nearly sent him over the edge.
Merlin pushed up onto his knees and stared at his woman, writhing on the bed, her skin flushed. Gwen looked like a goddess with her auburn hair spread over the pillows. He wanted to feel all of her against him, and he stood to kick off his boxer briefs, and then slid his hands behind her back to unclasp her bra.
Her ample breasts with raspberry-colored nipples popped free. Beautiful. Then he hooked his fingers into the sides of her lace panties and pulled them down, slowly revealing her naked sex. He hadn’t thought it would be possible to get any harder, but he was wrong.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” Merlin whispered, his voice rough with desire. He returned to her mouth, his tongue darting in and out, rubbing against hers as his hand slid down to find her clit.
Wet. Hot. He needed to taste her more than he needed his next breath. Gwen’s body trembled beneath his. It was like adding gasoline to the fire, and he growled. Parting her thighs, he swept his tongue along her pussy, up to her clit to linger there, sucking, nibbling, licking until she writhed against the sheets and arched against his face.
After sliding his finger in her juices, he pushed it into her core. Her muscles clenched around his finger as he gently thrust.
“So close… Luke, please.”
While flicking his tongue against her clit, he inserted a second finger. Thrusting deep, they slid over the bundle of nerves deep inside her core as he sucked her clit into his mouth.
Gwen screamed his name as she came, the muscles of her sex squeezing his fingers. As her muscles relaxed, he licked along her folds then rolled over, lifting her onto his chest.
Finally, her breathing slowed as he rubbed his hand up and down her back. When she finally lifted her head, her pupils were dilated, and her cheeks were bright pink.
Merlin thought she would say something, but she kissed him, her tongue sliding along his lips until he opened for her. Groaning into her mouth, he flipped her, so she was on her back underneath him. His cock throbbed with need, and he couldn’t wait any longer.
Almost forgetting protection, he muttered, “Fuck.” The condom was still in his pocket. The last thing he wanted to do was let her go, even for a moment.
“Be right back,” he said, then kissed her forehead.
Stalking across the room, he grabbed his jeans and fished in the pocket for the foil wrapper. When he turned around, her gaze focused on him.
He smiled. “Like what you see, princess?”
“Oh, yes.”
Her words triggered a growl he couldn’t restrain, and tearing the wrapper open, he rolled the condom over his erection. As he returned to the bed and positioned himself between her silky thighs, he reminded himself to go slow. But as soon as his tip entered her heated core, it took every ounce of restraint he possessed.
So damn tight and wet. An inch at a time, he entered her, watching her face for signs of pain.
Sweat broke out on his forehead, and his muscles shook as he fought the desire to take her and fast, the need to thrust overwhelming.
Gwen arched against him. “More. I need you, Luke. Please.” Her trembling words rolled over him like the ocean hitting the shore.
With one thrust, he plunged all the way in and then stilled. Nothing had ever felt better. “Are you okay, princess?” Merlin hardly recognized his own voice, raw with emotion.
“Yes, but you need to move.”
His rhythm started slow, pulling most of the way out before thrusting back in, but as her core clenched around him, his willpower shattered. Pumping into her hard and fast, he reached down and tweaked her clit. Once, twice, and she screamed with ecstasy as her pussy rippled with an orgasm. Her juices slid over his balls, and he thrust one more time and shouted his release.
Merlin rested his forehead against hers for a moment, then kissed her. Emotions bubbled up inside him, emotions he shouldn’t feel, and he held them back. Kissing her again, he pulled out and got up to discard the condom. Then he returned to bed and pulled her into his side and tugged the quilt over them.
For the first time in forever, Merlin felt at peace as Gwen snuggled closer, her body curled against his side, her head resting on his chest. Her touch and her essence soothed him in a way nothing had since he’d joined the service. He should be sated after hours of nibbling, tasting, and kissing every inch of her, but he wanted more. Even with her lack of experience, she’d responded to him like they’d been together forever.
Fuck. He was almost thirty-six years old. No way would he have believed he’d come twice in one night, let alone three times.
As he drifted off, he told himself it would only be a few moments. But when he opened his eyes, it was zero three hundred. Gwen had flung her arm over his chest and her leg rested across his thigh. A rustling sound made him tense as he checked his surroundings. Two golden eyes watched him from the foot of the bed. He’d forgotten about the cat. At some point, Galahad had joined them. Gwen hadn’t been kidding about his purr. The cat sounded like a motorboat. It amazed him she could sleep through it.
Merlin eased Gwen’s arm off his chest and slid out of bed, hoping not to wake her. After finding his jeans and pulling them on, he turned to find Galahad had already taken his place next to the sleeping woman. His bare feet di
dn’t make a sound as he padded to the kitchen to find something to drink. Taking a glass from the cabinet, he poured a glass of water and then stood in front of the French doors in her living room, staring out into the star-filled sky.
It was too early to call the guys, but he’d have let them know he wouldn’t be making PT. He couldn’t bring himself to leave Gwen, especially while she was sleeping.
“What’s wrong?” Her soft, sleepy voice startled him.
Again, Gwen had snuck up on him. Always on guard, checking his six was second nature. Yet she’d snuck up on him twice. Not even the team could pull that off, and they’d tried countless times. It didn’t make sense.
He turned to answer her, and his breath caught in his throat. The muted light from the full moon made her look angelic. She’d put on his T-shirt, and her bare legs peeked out from under it. Lust slammed into him. He wanted to pick her up and carry her back to bed.
Merlin swallowed his need. The woman had to be sore. “Nothing at all, princess. I’m sorry if I woke you.”
‘You didn’t. The cat did. Then I realized you were gone.”
“Figures. He’s a loudmouth.”
Gwen giggled. “Yes, he is. I’ve never had a cat who purred like him. It’s like he’s got an amplifier inside.” She pulled Merlin over to the sofa, and as they sat, she curled into his side.
It should have felt awkward. They barely knew each other. But it was like he’d come home. Merlin kissed her forehead and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her even closer. “Are you okay? I tried to be gentle, but…”
“I’m a little sore.” Even in the semi-darkness, her smile filled him with sunshine and took his breath away. “I hope it was okay. It’s been a while for me, and I haven’t had a lot of experience.”
“It was amazing; you were amazing. I think you’re magical. I don’t know how we would have made love three times in one night if you weren’t magical.”
“You’re silly. Don’t you usually?”
“No, princess, men my age are lucky for once. Twice, and we’re celebrating. You take my breath away.”
“You take mine away too. It just… I don’t know, feels like I’m supposed to be with you. You probably think I’m crazy.”
He wondered if Gwen realized she was rubbing his thigh as she spoke.
“I don’t think you’re crazy. There is something here. Something different. Like fate intervened. First, I’m transferred to Fort Hood, then I find the bookstore, and when I get there, I’m instantly bewitched by the glorious redhead behind the counter. It might as well be a fairy tale.”
“I did tell you my family loves the Arthurian legends.”
Merlin laughed as his heart squeezed in his chest. “Yes, you did. But my name isn’t Arthur, so I’m probably not your true love.” Then he pretended to pout, his lip jutting out.
She chuckled. “I’m not waiting for Arthur—that’s my dad. I’ve been waiting for my white knight, but something tells me I was waiting for a wizard instead.”
Pulling her onto his lap, he wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. If he kissed her, it would lead to more, and she needed time to recover.
Gwen snuggled closer, and her fingers played with the hair at the nape of his neck. With her, everything was different. But these deep feelings were happening too fast. They hardly knew each other, so why did he feel like he was at least half in love with her? He was the king of surveying every scenario before reaching a conclusion. Yet he’d just made love with a woman he’d met three days ago, and it felt like he’d known her his entire life.
“Are you sure you didn’t put a spell on me?” Merlin asked, keeping his voice light so she’d know he was teasing.
“I think I should ask you that question. You’re the wizard.”
“That I am, but my spells have never been successful.”
“Apparently, you’re improving,” she said and giggled against his chest.
He burst out laughing. Gwen came off as a bookworm, but there was so much more to her.
They snuggled and chatted as the night sky became pre-dawn. He listened to her tell him stories from her childhood and pictured them in the future with a couple of kids running around…maybe a dog. Sir Galahad wouldn’t like that much, but he’d have to learn to deal. In the evenings, they could cuddle and read in his library.
Damn. It was way too soon to go down that road. Kids. Dogs. It should have scared him, but it didn’t. It felt right.
“Are you ready to go back to bed,” she asked with a yawn.
Merlin wasn’t sure he’d be able to fall asleep. Having her in his lap had revived his hard-on, and even thoughts of the future didn’t diffuse his desire.
“Oh, I’m more than ready, princess, but I’m not sure we’ll be sleeping.” He stood up with her still in his arms.
“I’m too heavy.”
“Not even a little. I love having you in my arms.”
Chapter 13
A soft paw tapping on her cheek woke Gwen. She smiled at Sir Galahad through squinted eyelids. This was their morning ritual. She didn’t need an alarm clock after she’d adopted the cat. But the scent of coffee was new. That had to be Luke.
Her cheeks heated with the memories of their night together. As promised, she’d screamed his name and more than once.
As she stretched, the cat jumped off her chest and sauntered out of the bedroom through the partly opened door. He’d be waiting in the kitchen for breakfast unless she took too long, then he’d be back and louder than ever.
While she waited for the shower water to heat, she picked out her outfit, then showered quickly and added some lip gloss and a coat of mascara. She hated makeup, but being a redhead, she needed the extra color.
Sniffing a scent she didn’t recognize, she followed it to the kitchen. Anything other than toast was beyond her ability, but apparently, Luke had told the truth when he’d said he could cook.
“Whatever you made smells delicious,” she said as she entered the kitchen.
Not only was Luke cooking, but he’d fed Sir Galahad, who was happily munching his kibble.
“You didn’t have much to work with. If I’m going to stay overnight, we’ll have to do something about the lack of food,” he said with a wink.
Heat flooded her face at the implication, and her skin warmed, sending waves of longing to her core. If he kept it up, she would have to change her underwear before she went into the bookstore.
“You’re late for PT, aren’t you?” Gwen asked, trying to change the subject. It was already six thirty. The bookstore didn’t open until ten, but she’d usually go in around nine to have coffee and chat with her grandparents.
“I texted the guys and let them know I wouldn’t be there.”
“Is that allowed?” The last thing she wanted was to get him in trouble. It was common knowledge that the military guys had to follow all orders. But she didn’t know if PT was a requirement.
“I’m on leave, so it’s up to me. I rarely miss it, but that’s my choice. The only thing that will happen is I’ll get a lot of shit from the guys.”
“Eek. That doesn’t sound like much fun.”
He shrugged but shot her a smile. “It’s not a big deal. We give each other crap all the time. Like brothers messing with each other. It’s all in fun.”
“It must be wonderful to have that camaraderie. I don’t have any friends to hang out with. My best friend, Belle, moved to Dallas, and I don’t get to see her often.”
Luke gently took her hand and squeezed. “I’m your friend. And I know Destiny enjoyed meeting you. She’s still in town since we didn’t leave. Maybe we can get together for dinner or something.”
“I’d like that. But I only have Sundays off, so it’s hard to make plans.”
“We’ll figure something out,” Luke said as he put a plate in front of her with an omelet and a slice of rye toast. “I figured if it was in your refrigerator then you liked it, so it’s a mushroom, onion, green pepper,
and cheddar cheese omelet.”
“You weren’t kidding when you said you could cook.” Gwen took a forkful, and the explosion of cheese and veggies made her moan. “It’s delicious.”
Luke chuckled. “It’s just an omelet. It’s not like I made beef Wellington with Yorkshire pudding.”
“Can you make that?”
“Yeah.” He looked sheepish. “You’d have found out eventually, but when I was growing up, I used to like to hang out with our cook, Mary. I learned how to make just about everything.”
“It’s cool that you wanted to learn, and she took the time to show you. I sort of figured your family might be well off. Not that it matters at all. My family isn’t exactly poor. But I understand why you’d want to hide it from people,” Gwen said with a grin. “Seeing your house was a dead giveaway. And…I might have looked you up on the internet. Forest Department Stores, huh?”
“Beautiful and sneaky.”
She tilted her head as she tried not to blush. “I figured you’d tell me when you were ready. It really doesn’t change anything, except that now I know you’re not trying to date me for my money.”
“That’s very true. My team knows some of my background, but I doubt they bothered to investigate like you did.”
“I love research. When you mentioned your book collection, I couldn’t resist looking. I hope you don’t mind?” Gwen took another bite of the omelet. If he kept feeding her like this, she would have to do a lot more yoga.
“Not at all. It was smart. We’d just met, and you would be alone with me when we met for lunch. Did you find anything interesting?” Luke waggled his eyebrows.
Every time he did that, it cracked her up. It seemed out of character, but then he was hard to pin down. Around his friends, he’d been so serious, intense, but he had a playful side, too. Then there was the sexy side…
“Maybe,” she teased and batted her eyelashes.
In a flash, he rounded the island and pulled her into his arms. His wicked smile sent heat racing along her nerve endings. “Should I kiss it out of you?”
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