Chapter 9
Spade
After soaping twice to get rid of the smell, I lean my forehead against the tile wall and turn the water colder. I feel like I’ve been sporting a chubby all day. Probably because I have.
Everything about her turns me on. Natural, like how she lives. No makeup, no airs, no teasing or suggestive wiles. Just her. Honest and forthright. Down to earth and real. No coy little games. God, she’s refreshing.
Her beautiful light brown hair, whether in a braid down her back, twisted on top her head or loose on her shoulders, shines in the light and smells like flowers.
She’s lean like a runner, but strong and not afraid of the hard work this place requires.
Confident in what she knows and her own abilities.
Not feigning the need for help. Hell, she hasn’t even asked for help.
I’ve practically had to force her to let me.
That’s part of my problem. I want her to need me. I want her to want me.
When she told me what that asshole did to her, I wanted to hunt him down and beat him. But her own confidence and ability to handle the situation filled my chest with pride. She may not realize it, but she’s a woman who knows her worth and that’s damn sexy.
Last night I woke snuggled against her body, my hand clasped over hers, both cradled between her breasts.
It felt right. Like home. I knew I should have shifted away, but I couldn’t make myself.
This is where I’m meant to be. The hard part is convincing her she needs—no, she doesn’t need me. Wants me.
Because I don’t want to leave her. Take it slow. Don’t rush her. Let her get to know you. You’ve got a job in town. You’ll be here. You have time for her to get to know and trust you.
As I exit the bathroom, she passes me holding a stack of her own fresh clothes. “I won’t be long. There’s herbal tea on the stove top.”
I check the conditions outside, stoke the fire and pour tea when I hear the water shut off.
She’s dressed in red plaid flannel pajamas and still drying her hair with a towel when she walks into the room.
Grabbing the tea mugs, I nod toward the fire. “Come over here, I’ll help you brush it dry.”
“I need to take care of your arm.”
“It’s fine as it is.” Tossing a couple of pillows on the floor, I hand her a mug. With her back to the flames, she finger-combs her hair before lifting the brush.
I cover her hand. “Let me. Enjoy your tea and let me do this for you. You’ve been taking care of me.”
After studying my gaze, she relents, handing me the brush and shifting her position.
Settling behind her I stretch my legs out bracketing her hips.
Her hair is soft sliding over my hand, the flowery scent an aphrodisiac.
The thick rich strands dry as I stroke through the thick tresses.
I fantasize wrapping them around my palm as we tangle in the sheets, each groping and starving for the other.
Surrounded by her scent and the warmth of her body, I long to lie her out on the floor, strip her of her clothes, and cover her with my own naked body.
To hear her moans of want and hunger as I suckle and feast on her silken flesh, her passion laden moans of need and desire surrounding me as she begs for more.
Lost in my fantasies, I whisper near her ear. “God you’re beautiful. Perfect.”
She turns, meeting my gaze. “Kiss me.”
Her eyes glisten with the same need I feel. Sliding one palm into her hair to cup the back of her head, I cover her lips with mine as we stretch out side by side on the floor before the fire.
She tastes sweet. Like warm berries fresh off the bush in summer. Like snowflakes you catch on your tongue. Like honey fresh from the hive.
I want her. I want her to choose me to be hers. Yeah, I’m rushing in. But sometimes, like in battle, you have to go with your instincts. I know this is right.
“You set the limits. What you want, if you want, and only what you’re comfortable with. Say stop. No. Done. You are in control. This is all about you.”
“Shut up and kiss me,” she rasps. Cupping the back of my head with her palm she leans up and we meet halfway. She takes what she wants. Licking, sucking, teasing, nibbling and dueling for control. I give it to her. I give it all to her.
Holding her against me, I lay back and shift her onto my chest, her lower body wedged between my legs.
Gripping my hair tighter she holds me where she wants me.
Licking, tasting, devouring, then coming back for more.
Nuzzling the side of my neck, I feel her inhale deeply as I savor the scent of her hair filling my senses.
Nipping my lower lip, she sits up, legs now straddling my hips. Her core settles on my bulging cock under the lightweight lounge pants. I groan. Eyes closed, she wiggles and sucks in her lower lip. “Humm.”
“Keep that up, love, I’m going to blow.” It’s been a long time for me, and she already has me so tightly strung I don’t know how I’ll last.
“I want to feel you. Can we—”
Rolling us, I get her under me, cutting her off. “Embarrassing as it is to admit, I’m not going to last. So, lay there like the goddess you are and let me pleasure you first.”
“But I want…”
Cupping her face, I stroke her cheek with a thumb before silencing her with a soft kiss. Leaning on my forearms I glance down. “I promise, I’ll give you everything you want, anything you need. But I need to do this first. Just close your eyes and relax.”
She does.
My turn to touch her and savor everything about her. Kissing her forehead, then her closed eyelids, the tip of her nose, her sweet, sweet lips. Trailing a path down the side of her neck, I slide my hand between us and undo the buttons of her pajama top spreading it open. “So beautiful.”
“Too skinny, small boobs,” she gasps out as I cup her, tweaking her nipple.
“Sleek like a bobcat, athletic and graceful. Sure of yourself and confident in your strength. So damn sexy.” Cupping her other breast and teasing the nipple with my thumb, I flick it before gently suckling. Pain and pleasure.
“Yes! Oh yes.” She arches beneath me.
“So responsive. Give it to me, love. Talk to me, let me know everything you like, everything you want.”
“That, more of that. Harder.”
I chuckle, then give her more. Gasping and arching her body against mine, she clutches my hair, holding me to her. Sliding my hand down her side I shift it between our bodies and glide my palm into her pajama bottoms to cup her mound.
“Spade. Oh please, Spade.”
After using my middle finger to toy with her nub, I slip it lower, slicking it with her juices. Then bring it back to tease her pearl while sucking harder on her nipple. Two swipes and she explodes. “Spade!”
My name escaping her lips as she honestly comes is the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. Rolling to my back, I bring her with me and cradle her against my side as she slowly descends from her high.
“I…that…I didn’t realize.”
“You are so beautiful.”
Leaning on her elbow, she looks down on me before sliding her palm down my torso, covering my cock. “I want more. I want you.”
“Anything you want. Take anything. Let me get a condom. I think there’s some in my bag.”
“We have some. Mom always keeps them on hand. I was created on a lie, and she was very careful after she got pregnant with me.”
“I’m glad she had you.”
Her smile is bright. “She says the same thing. Best oops she ever had.” Fawn stands. “Fire’s warm, but the bed is more comfortable. Meet you there.”
She disappears into the bathroom. Glancing toward the dogs I decide to let them out now so they don’t disturb us later.
After checking the fire and turning off the lamp, I fluff the pillows, centering them in the middle of the bed. My hand shakes as I pull back the blankets. My nerves are worse than the first time I had sex.
This is more than sex. This is hopefully the first night of the rest of my life I remind myself. This is coming home.