Chapter Nine #2
She held two fingers on the inside of his wrist. ‘Your pulse is fast.’
‘That’s not from panic.’ Colour returned to his cheeks. ‘I really am okay. I don’t need any medication. The doctors said I’m fine. I work on relaxation, eating well, not doing as many long hours.’
He worked on them. The carefree Ares she’d met, holiday Ares, was a rare creature. She wanted to bring him back here now. She knew how—the way that had always been so easy for them.
‘Relaxation, you say?’ Bethan made a show of pondering. ‘You need to rest now. Maybe you’d better lie down for a bit.’
His eyes kindled. ‘Maybe that’s not a bad idea.’
She lifted his hands from her neck as she stood but kept hold of his wrist. He rose and she led him to her cabin.
He said nothing as she tugged the hem of his tee, just lifted his arms so she could strip him out of it.
His swim shorts followed so he was naked in mere moments.
She pushed and he sank onto the bed. He patted the space beside him, colour fully restored.
He was fit, but he was tired. That was still evident.
While she was feeling wired—not from the win, but the sudden worry and the ensuing spike of adrenalin and relief at his insistence that all this wasn’t anything serious.
Yet. Which meant it was still possibly serious.
But right now she was relieved he was okay, relieved he still wanted her and she would help him relax.
‘You’re leaving?’ He frowned as she walked away. ‘You think I’m not up for sex?’
She turned back and raked her gaze down his body again. Oh, he was definitely up.
‘Wouldn’t want you to have a heart attack from over-exerting yourself,’ she teased.
‘You could take charge.’
‘Oh, Ares, didn’t you realise?’ She smiled at him as she wriggled out of her damp clothes. ‘I’m already in charge.’
She dug about in her craft bag then held out her hand. He let her take his wrist again. But when she raised it above his head, he stiffened.
‘What are you doing?’ he muttered.
‘Utilising the knots you told those kids I’m good at.’ She wound wool around his wrist—loosely enough but still secure.
‘You heard me?’
‘I did.’ She smiled. ‘You’re good with them. And I am good at knots.’
It wouldn’t take a huge effort for him to rip free from them but he didn’t. He even let her bind his other wrist above his head.
‘This is more than taking charge,’ he pointed out.
She watched the restless roll of his hips and felt her excitement rise. ‘I’m going to make you relax, Ares. But we both know it’ll only be as far as you let me.’
Another ripple of tension swept down him. ‘What is it you’re planning to do?’
‘Everything.’ She found condoms in the bedside table, fully appreciating how perfectly stocked the yacht was. ‘But you have to let me know if I take things too far.’ She ran her fingertip down his stomach.
‘Mmmm.’ He sucked in his cheeks.
She crawled onto the bed, prowling up to kneel astride him. ‘I’m going to keep a close eye on your pulse.’
He watched her hands slide towards his centre. ‘My pulse, huh?’
‘Well, this is where all your blood seems to have gone.’
He laughed weakly. ‘Bethan...’
‘You just relax and I’ll do my thing.’ She brushed her lips over the tip of his erection in the lightest tease. ‘Then you might get some sleep.’
‘You do...uh...that.’ His breath whistled as she kissed him.
He had the most fantastic body. Some of it might be good genes, but she suspected he didn’t just work long hours, he put decent sessions in the gym too.
When did he rest these days? She would make him—she would wear him out entirely.
But he was right, so often there were many reasons behind life choices—including selfish ones.
And this certainly wasn’t all benevolence on her behalf.
She was desperately hungry—so tempted by his large, hard erection.
Desire commanded her. He muttered her name, over and over until he couldn’t form the word any more.
His breathing deepened—then was broken by sighs.
She moved faster as he rocked his hips but she knew he was resisting release.
‘You know I’m so into this,’ he suddenly gasped. ‘But I do think it could be better.’
Outraged, she glanced up and tightened her grip on the base of his cock. ‘Excuse me?’
Devilry danced in his eyes. ‘I want you to turn around,’ he whispered breathlessly. ‘And bring that hot wet piece of you up here where I can taste it.’
He backed up the invitation with a jerk of his hips, bumping her from where she sat on his strong thighs.
‘We’re both winners then, right?’ he added.
Her mouth on him. His mouth on her. Oh, but he was a tease—and irresistible.
Even when bound he took control and she was thrilled to let him.
But she teased back, taking her time to crawl up his body and sit as he’d suggested.
She closed her eyes when he touched her with his tongue—teasing her to the point where she could hardly concentrate on what she was doing.
Both moaned—a sensual symphony. His urgency increased—he loved pleasuring her.
She grabbed his shaft, opened her lips and took him deeper than ever.
Heard his animal grunts as his hot release spurted into her mouth and her own orgasm hit.
‘Sleepy now?’ she queried, sliding to sit beside him.
‘No.’ But he was trembling.
She placed her hand on his chest, felt the strong beat of his heart. ‘You should rest.’
‘You shouldn’t deny me,’ he countered. ‘I can’t take the strain.’
She gazed, revelling in his bulging body again. ‘Ares...’
‘Please.’
He was such a challenge. But one she was delighted to rise to.
Quivering with renewed excitement, she struggled to work the condom down his thick, hard cock. ‘Sorry,’ she mumbled with a laugh.
‘Don’t apologise again. Ever,’ he growled. ‘This is the best view of my life. Just don’t stop.’
She smiled. ‘Are you begging?’
‘God, yes.’
Circling her hips, she took only the tip of him inside her, teasing him briefly before plunging down.
His groan hit her soul. She lifted and sank on him again, her head dropping back at the sheer pleasure of having him like this.
All hers. His gaze was locked on her—hot and fierce and he thrust to meet her faster, harder.
She braced—her hands wide on his bunched biceps—taking the reins again and riding him as ferociously as she could—driving him to the point where he couldn’t control anything any more.
Not her. And most definitely not himself.
She watched as ecstasy overtook him—destroyed him. And her own joy hit.
‘You’re killing me, Bethan,’ he muttered.
‘Can’t have that.’ She reached up and tugged on the yarn. The knots released instantly and he wrapped her in a bear hug, dragging her down to snuggle against him.
‘Pleased with yourself?’ he drawled.
‘And with you, yes.’ She tapped her fingers across his chest and burrowed closer.
‘Mmmm.’
To her delight he sounded drowsy. She closed her eyes and her contentment deepened when she felt his limbs go heavier. He was asleep. Seconds later, so was she. But it felt like only moments before he spoke again.
‘Bethan, you need to get up.’
It took effort to open her eyes. The moment she did, she sat up. Ares was dressed. In a suit.
‘What time is it?’ Amazed, she glanced at the porthole and glimpsed a chink of light. ‘Is it morning?’ Had they slept not just through the afternoon, but the entire night?
‘Yes.’ The regret in his eyes was unsettling enough, but his next words horrified her. ‘We’re in Athens.’