9. Celeste
9
CELESTE
The room seems to spin as Dane’s hands tear at my dress, pulling it off and pushing me back onto the couch so that I’m lying on the leather cushions. As he unbuttons his shirt, I unclip my bra and shrug it off, leaving me naked beneath his gaze. I shiver as he stares at my body, raking his burning eyes over every curve, but it doesn’t occur to me to feel self-conscious—not with Dane. The need that rages between us is too strong for that, and after telling him my story, I feel closer to him than ever.
Now all I want is to be his.
All his.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he growls as he lets his shirt fall to the ground, revealing his broad chest. His arms bulge with muscles, and the sight of him takes my breath away just like the first time. But when I walked in on him naked before, I turned around, never looking at the bottom half of his body. This time, I watch eagerly as he unbuckles his belt and slides down his jeans and boxers in one fluid motion, kicking them aside.
Holy crap.
Dane’s cock is as massive as the rest of him—thick and meaty—pre-cum glistening from the tip. He towers over me like a giant, and I stare greedily at his naked body, from his muscular legs to the hard bulk of his chest. Red-hot desire pulses between my thighs, filling me with an ache that only Dane can relieve.
“I need you,” I tell him. “Please…”
He doesn’t keep me waiting. Instantly, he presses his huge body on top of mine, positioning himself between my legs. His hard length pokes against me, making me shiver with anticipation. I’m so ready for him. My arousal is seeping down my thighs and onto the couch as Dane’s eyes pierce mine, and suddenly I feel him inching inside me, stretching me around his giant cock. He moves forward, pushing so deep that I see stars, and when he bottoms out with a groan, I’m so full of him I can hardly breathe.
“Fuck, sugar, you feel so good,” he groans, his beard rough against my chin as he leans down to kiss me. “You okay? Am I hurting you?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m okay.”
It doesn’t hurt, but the intense pressure is unlike anything I’ve felt before. I wrap my arms around Dane’s neck, holding tight as he starts to thrust his hips, sliding in and out of me in a steady rhythm. Our bodies rub together, skin-on-skin, and the sizzling friction makes me moan with pleasure.
“That feel good, princess?” Dane says.
“Yes…so good.”
“Ready for me to go faster?”
I nod eagerly and he makes a noise deep in his throat as he picks up the pace, his cock slapping into me.
“OH!” I cry, his brutal rhythm making my body tremble beneath him.
“Good girl.” Dane grits his teeth, sweat beading on his brow. “Take it, sugar. Take my cock.”
My mouth opens in a silent scream as Dane fucks me hard, our bodies slamming together as he claims my virginity. The wet smacking sounds of sex fill the room, mingling with the crackling fireplace and the raw moans ripping from my throat. I close my eyes, sobbing with pleasure, then Dane’s hand grabs my chin, gripping it tight.
“Look at me,” he orders.
I do as he says.
“That’s it, princess.” He bends down, his voice hoarse in my ear. “Keep those pretty eyes on me. I want you to look at me while I fuck you.”
His words make me shiver. There’s something almost feral about the way he says it…the way he’s staring at me as he ruts me like an animal.
“Don’t stop,” I beg him. “Please don’t stop.”
“I’m not stopping until you scream for me, sugar.”
He grabs my hands, pinning them roughly above my head until I’m powerless beneath him, trapped by his raw strength, unable to move. But I love it. I love the feeling of being at his mercy, surrendering myself to him as he claims my body, stuffing me full of his cock again and again. Instinct has taken over, raw and primal, and I buck my hips desperately, taking him deeper, so deep I don’t know where he ends and I begin.
My clit throbs, my orgasm blooming, driving me wild with need. I lose myself in Dane’s eyes, like pools of whiskey. I want to drown in them…drown in him .
“Good girl,” he says breathlessly. “You’re close. I can feel it.”
I nod, and he strokes my cheek gently, his touch feather-light, even as he fucks me mercilessly.
“Come for me, princess. Come on my cock.”
I shudder. “Oh, God…” My muscles tighten, everything squeezing, ready to burst.
“Don’t try to stop it.” His face is so close that our noses brush, his breath hot against my lips. “It’s too late, sugar. You’re gonna come for me whether you want to or not.”
His words push me over the edge.
“DANE!”
I scream his name as I come undone, pleasure rocketing through me, setting my nerves on fire. Dane swallows my cries as he kisses me hard, his tongue sliding between my lips, invading my mouth as his cock invades my pussy. His rhythm turns jerky, his arms tightening around me as he lets out a hoarse cry, muffled against my lips. I feel his warm cum spurt inside me, filling me up as I tremble through the aftershocks of my orgasm. We hold each other as our breathing slowly returns to normal, then Dane pulls back to look at me, his eyes so full of affection that I feel my throat constrict.
“That was perfect,” he says. “ You were perfect.”
“So were you.” I beam at him as I reach up to cup his cheek, the scar tissue smooth against my hand. My heart flutters as we stare at each other, and I wish I could stay here all night. I want nothing more than to fall asleep in Dane’s arms, but I know I can’t.
“You tired, sugar?” he asks as I let out a yawn.
“Yeah.” I rub my eyes, sighing deeply. “I wish I could stay, but if Brody wakes up and I’m not there, he’ll be so worried…”
“Alright.” Dane makes a reluctant sound. “I’ll take you home, but I need you to understand something.” His face leans in closer, his beard brushing my chin. “You’re mine now, Celeste. There’s no way I’m going to pretend like you’re not just to keep your brother happy. I get why he’s so protective, but I’m not gonna sit back and let him get between us.”
His words make my heart quiver, a combination of happiness and worry. I know he’s right. I can’t keep this a secret from Brody forever.
“I’ll talk to him,” Dane says firmly. “I’ll make him see.”
“No, it’s okay.” I give him a weak smile. “You’re right, but I need to be the one to talk to him.”
He nods, kissing me hard before he eases off me and leads me to the bathroom. We get cleaned up, pulling our clothes back on, before Dane guides me out of his cabin and through the trees. He wraps a brawny arm around me, keeping me warm despite the chill of the night, and all too soon, Brody’s cabin comes into view.
“Thanks for walking me back.” My voice is barely a whisper, but it sounds amplified in the quiet of the woods.
“You don’t need to thank me.”
For a moment, there’s silence but for the rustle of the trees. Dane’s rugged face is just visible in the moonlight, and I stare up at him, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. There’s so much I want to say to him, but I don’t even know where to begin.
“Come here, sugar,” Dane grunts.
His arms loop around me, a hand cushioning my head as he pushes me back against a thick tree trunk. Then he kisses me like the universe depends on it. It’s bruising, passionate, and when we finally come up for air, my lips are burning.
“I’ll be back in the morning,” he says decisively. “Around eleven, okay? Gives you some time to talk to Brody.”
I nod. “Eleven. I’ll see you then.”
With one last kiss, I pull away from Dane and tiptoe toward the cabin, casting a final glance over my shoulder before I slip through the front door and close it behind me.
“Cee?”
I jump, whipping around to see my brother standing in the living room. He looks as shocked to see me as I am to see him, and my cheeks redden.
Crap.
“What the hell?” he says, bewildered. “I thought you were in bed.”
“What are you doing up?”
He holds up the glass of water in his hand. “Getting a drink. Where the hell have you been? It’s like one in the morning.”
I open my mouth, trying to think up a response, but it’s too late. Realization is dawning on Brody’s face, his eyes turning stormy.
“Where is he?” he says, slamming down the glass of water. “Where is the bastard? I’ll beat the fucking shit out of?—”
“Brody!” I hold up my hands. “Stop. Please, just stop.”
But my brother is seething, fists clenched as he says, “I’m not gonna stand by while a guy twice your age takes advantage of you.”
As I look into his rage-filled eyes, I feel a bone-deep exhaustion wash over me. This isn’t how I wanted this conversation to go. I hoped I’d break the news gently tomorrow morning over breakfast, instead of having Brody catch me sneaking in. But heck, I shouldn’t have to tiptoe around my brother like this. I’m a grown woman with my own life to lead, my own choices to make.
I’m tired of this.
So freakin’ tired.
“Dane isn’t taking advantage of me.” I stare my brother down. “Our feelings for each other are mutual. I felt it the moment I saw him, and there’s nothing you can say to change that. Nothing. You can’t control my life like this. I won’t let you.”
“Cee—”
“No, Brody!” My throat burns, tears threatening to spill over. “Not everyone is like Mom and Dad! Not everyone is going to treat me like they did. Dane is a good person, and I want to be with him.”
My brother runs an agitated hand over his beard. “You just met this guy. How can you be so damn sure about him already?”
“It’s not about being sure…it’s about taking chances on people. That’s what life is about! If I spent my life distrusting people just because Mom and Dad treated me like crap, then they win, Brody. Why can’t you see that?”
He’s quiet for a moment, pacing back and forth with his jaw set.
“I know you think I’m being an asshole,” he says, finally stopping in his tracks. “Hell, maybe I am. But I’m just trying to protect you. If this guy hurts you?—”
I raise my chin defiantly, eyes blazing despite my tears. “I can handle more than you think. You don’t need to treat me like a fragile little girl, Brody. I’m twenty-four.” My voice falters, a sob caught in my throat. “I just wish you would trust me. I can’t make you trust Dane, but you should at least trust me to take care of myself.”
“I do trust you.” He closes his eyes, rubbing his temples like he has a headache. “Fuck, it’s just hard, okay? I know you’re not fragile, Cee, but I remember when you were, and that version of you still lives inside my head. I think about that little girl all the damn time.”
My chest tightens at his words. “I know you do. But that’s not who I am anymore…”
Brody is quiet for a long time, his eyes fixed on the floor like he’s deep in thought.
“It’s late,” he says eventually, not looking at me. “I need some time to think. You should get some sleep.”
I nod. Brody can think about it all he wants, but I’ve already made up my mind. Dane means everything to me, and frankly, my brother doesn’t have to approve. It’s my decision and I’m not backing down; I just hope it won’t drive a wedge between us. I love my brother. He was the first person I ever trusted, the only person who’s always been there. But if I want him to treat me like an adult, I need to stop acting like I need his permission.
“Goodnight, Brody.”
I pad toward the guestroom, grabbing the door handle just as my brother’s voice calls out from behind me.
“Love you, Cee.”
I swallow hard, then glance back at him. “Love you, too.”
And I mean it with all my heart.