Ink of Copper

51. In Which our Heroine and Hero Collide

Chapter 51

In Which our Heroine and Hero Collide

W ith Evander in the shower, Ellie went behind his dressing partition to change out of her dress. What she hadn’t thought about when she had come charging into the chamber, emboldened to seduce him, was what she should change into. Sure, she could also go with tried and true. Naked. But the longer she thought about it, the less confident she felt. Slipping another of Evander’s shirts over her shoulders, she peeped around the corner. Catching sight of his dressing table, she spied the cheap plastic sunglasses sitting on a piece of felt. He had kept them, placing them next to his comb as if they were expensive and rare. All at once, her breath caught.

Her.

He loved her.

She didn’t know why. They hadn’t known each other long. She was dangerous. Ruinous. To him. To Olympus. He couldn’t possibly love her. Love her. Thoughts tumbled in her head, bouncing off one another. The proof sat silently a few feet away. All-black sunglasses she bought as a prank now proclaimed love in a way words couldn’t. The sound of a throat being cleared caused her to turn.

The sight that greeted her from the doorway had her tripping over her feet. She stumbled into a small table, rocking it onto one leg with the force of the collision. Catching several items before they slid, she missed something that went skittering to the ground and across the floor. Trying to right the table, Ellie dropped a box.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, stooping to pick them up.

“Leave them.”

She swallowed as she stood.

Evander leaned against the door frame, a towel slung low across his hips, his arms crossed over his bare chest. The heated gaze that raked over her burned each place it landed. She flushed as she remembered his hands traveling a similar path.

“Where’s your wings?”

His lips slid into a slow, lopsided smirk that showed off his dimple. “So, it’s my rather large . . . plumage for you, is it?”

Her cheeks pinked. “No, I just meant I’ve gotten used to them and not seeing them—you don’t look like you.” A nervous laugh escaped. Shaking his shoulders as he continued to lean, his wings reappeared, rustling and then snapping once before closing.

“I showed you mine; now you show me yours.” Pushing himself off the frame, he stalked towards her. She twisted her shirt sleeve into her palm and froze in place as he approached, hardly breathing.

“Come here.”

Ellie walked to the side of the bed on legs made of rubber. “I—um—I—” she stammered.

He tilted his head, arching one light-colored brow. “Yes?”

“I wore a shirt you had back there behind the thing.” An odd giggle bubbled up. “This might not be how you pictured it. Some men like lingerie. I wasn’t sure.”

The sight of him was turning her into a babbling idiot. She scolded herself and tried to control her nervousness. He reached between them, untwisting the sleeve from her grasp.

“Do you think that matters? I don’t care if you’re dressed up in ribbons and lace or nothing at all. I want you. All of you. But if you don’t want this, say the word. Nothing has to happen.” He grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. “Do you want to leave?”

Heat coursed through her as she met his stare. His pupils expanded, the raging sea color almost entirely swallowed up by black. Desire held her transfixed for a few shallow breaths. Ellie nodded.

“Say it. I need to hear you say you want to stay.” He rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip.

“Yes, of course I want to stay. I’m nervous.” Taking another deep breath, the corners of her mouth curled up. “I haven’t been with anyone except my ex-husband.”

His eyes narrowed for a moment before they went wide.

“No one but—?”

She nodded. “And you were the first, well, besides myself.”

A frown pulled at the sides of his mouth. “The first? First what?”

“I didn’t have—well, the thing is, I couldn’t get there with—him. But you, that night in my bed, you and me . . . orgasm. I’m talking about orgasm.”

“Oh!” His expression softened, and he laid his forehead against hers as she chewed on the inside of her lip. “Never?”

At the little shake of her head, he cupped her face. Soft, warm, calloused fingers on one side. Cool, strong, mechanical on the other. Both holding her as though she were precious.

“I want to make sure I do this right or look right. I must of done it wrong before because he . . .” she sighed, “He didn’t enjoy having—”

He shook his head. “That ex-husband of yours was an absolute prick. There is nothing you could do that would be wrong.” Threading his fingers through hers, he held her hand to his heart. “I want to share my body with you, Ellie. I want you to know what it feels like to be loved properly. And I refuse to have you for only one night.” A wicked smirk formed on his mouth.

“Have you any idea what seeing you in my dress shirt does to me?”

Nibbling on her bottom lip, she shook her head.

“The other morning, I fought between taking you back to my chambers, or letting the maids catch us as I took you on the sideboard.”

“Scandalous man.”

He smirked and that dimple showed once more.

Ellie walked her fingers along the top of the towel. When she finally touched skin, he let out a little gasp he was holding.

“Your towel’s still on,” she challenged. “If you want me in that bed, you better drop it.” The earlier nervousness dissipated like a vapor, and boldness took its place.

“This, coming from a woman whose mission was to break into my chambers and perform a poorly executed strip tease.”

“Yes, mine failed. Yours won’t.” A coquettish grin slid across her lips. “Strip.”

“Make me,” he challenged.

Ellie blinked up at him, unsure of what she heard. Her lips curled into a mischievous smile.

“Make you?”

He nodded. “You want me out of this towel, you’ll need to remove it.”

“Maybe I just want to torture you.”

Evander’s soft growl of protest was met with fingertips dancing across his stomach. The muscles contracted while she maneuvered to his side. She trailed fingers up his rib cage and to his shoulder, leaving pebbled skin in their wake. Ellie mapped the muscles of his bicep, forearm and wrist, before skimming his knuckles. As she moved to his back, she ruffled the ethereal white plumage, causing Evander to shake the appendages. Caressing along the feathers, she swept her hand up, softly touching as high as she could. On tip toes, she barely reached the bottom of the horn at the apex of his wing. His shudder caused his wings to rustle as they opened. Her fingertips were now following down his back. When she touched the muscles between his wings, he moaned and arched. Ellie smiled, delighting in his torment. His plumage was soft, silky between her fingers as they buried themselves in the avian part of him. He shuddered again, rustling as she moved around to his front. Once again, her fingertips found themselves on his bicep, except this one was cold, hard, metal. The lights came to life, blinking with increased intensity. Her exploration led her down his forearm, over the ridges and valleys on those mechanical knuckles and to the tips of his fingers.

“Ellie,” he rasped, barely breathing.

She traced his pectoral muscle, then down his sternum, skirting the leather straps to his abdomen.

“Ellie.”

“Mmm?” she said as she met his gaze.

“How long do you plan on continuing this torture?”

Reaching for his towel, she gently unfolded the edges and it slipped from his hips, landing on the floor in a heap. Standing before her in all his glory, he was the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. Confident. Naked. She thought for sure her knees would buckle had she not kept her hand on him.

Her fingers walked themselves lower and when they found his cock, it jumped as she touched the tip. Gliding her hand down, she slowly stroked him, and Evander panted, his lips parted, enjoying her teasing.

“You leave books out for me.” She stroked as she confessed. His hips flexed on the next rise and fall of her fist. “You encourage me. You think I couldn’t want you as you are? All of you?” She stopped, and he groaned.

“I want you, all of you. I want you to let go with me. If I can trust you with my body, you can trust me with your desires.”

His eye flashed. “Ellie.” His warning whisper elicited a nod of her head.

“The ribbon. I want you to show me how you use the ribbon, Evander.”

He paled before something dark crossed his features. Ellie twisted her lips.

“I snooped, yes. I found it and I want to try. With you.”

He shook his head. “No, Ellie. That’s from before. Before you.”

But she nodded and walked her fingers back up his abdomen. Her eyes fell to the pink stretch of new skin at his shoulder and a pang of guilt coursed through her. Catching her fingers, he tugged her towards him and kissed the tips. “Your turn.” His words, husky and dark, danced across her skin. He raked his gaze over her once more.

“So bossy.” She enjoyed forcing him to wait. The anticipation throbbed between her legs.

“Damn right.” Stepping close, his mouth slipped to the shell of her ear. Ellie tilted her head, her eyes fluttering closed. Words escaped her with him so close. The smell of him, clean, soap, coupled with his voice, sent goosebumps flying across her skin. She shook her head defiantly. Evander reached over and ran one thick finger along her collarbone, dipping under the shirt collar, and she purred at the contact.

“I want my shirt off. I want to see you.”

She lifted her eyes to his and grinned mischievously. “Make me.” She arched a brow.

His fingers moved along the middle of the oversized garment. He opened one button, then another, then another. He was methodical, controlled, meticulous, punctuating his words with each button sliding through its threaded cage. “I’m going to claim you as mine, Ellie. All of you. Every last curve will be mine to explore.” His nose grazed her temple. “By the gods, your scent drives me mad.”

“I—I’m not wearing any perfume.” She lifted her eyes to him and was met with a Cheshire grin.

“I know. It’s you, and it’s intoxicating. And tomorrow, your scent will permeate my sheets.”

Her eyes fluttered closed. She felt herself lean forward as his large hands moved along the middle of her body. Every part of her screamed to give in, but she relished watching Evander struggling to keep his composure. The last button gave way of its hold with little resistance. Reaching down, he ran two fingers starting at the top of the lace of her panties, between her breasts, back to her collarbone. Opening the shirt, the cool air ran over her heated skin, causing her rose-colored nipples to harden further. He tugged her closer by her waist. The strange sensation of natural fingers and artificial ones encircling her had her trembling under his hands.

“Open your eyes.”

She opened one and then the other. The dark desire that swallowed his gaze made her throat dry.

“Take the knickers off,” he whispered.

“And if I refuse?” The edge of her lips twisted up as she cocked a brow.

“You won’t.” He growled low. Running a knuckle down her cheek, he tilted his head. “You’re trembling. I enjoy it when you tremble beneath my touch. I’ll enjoy even more when I have you shaking.”

He placed the tip of one finger under her chin and brought her face up to meet his.

“I want to watch you take them off,” he whispered against her lips. “Slowly. Do as I say, Ellie.”

Two fingers slipped under the collar of her shirt and pushed it off her shoulders. It slid down her arms and fluttered to the floor. With little between them but a pale-pink barrier, she drew her hands to the waistband of her panties, trailing the lace at the top through her fingers. Evander sucked in a short breath through his teeth as his eyes hungrily watched her fingers dance. She met his gaze and snapped the band against her hip, letting loose a short giggle. He reached between them and caught her wrist in his firm grasp.

“It’s dangerous teasing me this way.”

The deepening of his velvet accent and that lustful gaze had her in a vice grip, unable to breathe. He gently pulled her arm, forcing her up against him. His nose nuzzled her hairline, then down to her jaw. She whimpered when he nipped the skin on her neck with his teeth.

“Such a beautiful girl. My beautiful girl. Fuck, how I want you.”

The room spun as her head clouded at his words. Heat pooled at the juncture of her legs. Breathless and aching, she released a soft moan.

“Kiss me,” he begged, rubbing his nose down the side of hers. Letting go of her wrist, he grabbed her chin, tracing the outline of her parted bottom lip, lingering just a moment.

“I’m in agony, Ellie. Kiss me.”

Ellie’s eyes fell closed, and she whimpered. She clamped her thighs together, trying to find relief. Biting into her bottom lip, she looked up at him.

“Bloody hell, you stubborn woman,” he said a split second before his mouth claimed hers.

Kissing him back, her world exploded into pieces, fractured, like a bomb going off in slow motion. Desperate. Needy. She grabbed his face, pulling him closer. Evander moaned into her mouth, his tongue sweeping in, exploring with vigor. He slipped his hands to the back of her thighs, picking her up. Her legs wrapped around his waist. Ellie clung to him as she drowned in the raging desire that swept through them.

“You’re mine,” he growled before lowering her to the mattress. She scrambled into the center of the massive bed as he crawled toward her, stalking on all fours, ready to devour his prey. His wings fluttered, opening and closing as he moved. When he reached her, she laid back, enjoying the tiny fires his heated gaze lit across her skin. He inclined her head, forcing her to look at him.

“Mine.”

“Yours,” she whispered.

With an animal-like fierceness, he claimed her mouth, entwining his fingers in her hair. Parting her legs with his knee, he stopped his assault on her lips as she gasped for air.

“Only yours,” she breathed.

His erection pressed against her hot center, building an ache for release. Grasping her knee in his hand, he opened her wider. The sensation of flesh and metal drove her crazy. Moaning, Ellie slid her hands down his back to where his wings met his skin. Her fingers glided along the outer edge, the soft feathers ruffling against her fingertips as she caressed him. The groan that tore from his lips was primal. Lifting his head, he arched his back. She smiled and ran her hands down his sides, along his rib cage; she couldn’t get enough of the feel of his smooth skin under her palms. When she got to his ass, she grabbed it. Her need for him built with each passing minute he wasn’t inside her. Evander hissed through his teeth, his lips leaving hers. They found the sensitive skin behind her ear settling there. She giggled and tried to move her head, but his grip restricted her movements. He raked his fangs down her neck, and she shivered against him.

“You want them off?”

His tantalizing gaze met hers as a mischievous grin played on his lips. “I want to watch,” he breathed.

“I’ll take them off. You show me how you use the ribbon.”

He closed his eyes briefly, but they snapped open when she cupped his cheeks in her hands.

“I want all of you, Evander.”

He nodded and she kissed him. Ellie didn’t know why removing a piece of clothing had her so turned on she trembled. Yet, here she was, under this man she wanted, ready to bear what felt like her soul to him, shaking like a leaf. Grabbing the waistband, she lifted her hips.

“Slowly,” he hissed.

Nodding her head, she teasingly, slowly slid her panties down. First her hips, then her thighs. When she reached her knees, Evander took hold of the band and slid them off. On his way back up, his hands caressed the back of her legs, tracing the curves of her calves, then her thighs. She leaned over and placed her lips to the scar she created on his skin. When her gaze met his, the depths of love bursting forth had her catching her breath for more than just lustful need. She placed another kiss on the scar. His breathing was erratic as he touched her, adoringly running his hands up and down her legs as if committing every curve to memory. Smoothing them over her stomach, he trailed one lower, and her breath all but stopped as he swept over the junction of her legs. His fingers danced in slow, careful circles.

“Do you like that?” His voice low and thick with emotion, sent a jolt of pure lust straight to her clit. Her nipples hardened until painful, aching to be touched. Ellie nodded. His fingers parted her soft, intimate lips, sliding along each side of her swollen clit.

Flexing her hips, she moaned.

“By the gods, that sound.”

Breathlessly, she rasped. “What sound?”

“Moan for me. I thought your laugh was my favorite, but gods, when you moan. When I make you moan.” He slipped his fingers into her heat, pulling another moan from her. “All I want is to make you moan for eternity.” His lips seared her skin when he kissed her neck. “So wet for me, aren’t you? Only for me. You like being touched like this?” He stopped abruptly, and she jerked her hips, whimpering. “Show me.”

The look he gave her burned straight to her core. She was nothing but ashes now, a glowing fire consumed with lust.

“Show me. Show me how you touch yourself. I want to watch you.”

Pausing for several seconds, she slid her hand lower, shivering as his eyes followed. When her fingers found her swollen clit, she let in a short little breath. Softly, slowly, she rubbed up and down and then made tight circles along the sensitive nub. Her skin tingled, fire ran through her veins as he watched. After a few moments, he joined her, his fingers mimicking hers.

“Yes. That’s right. Such a good girl.”

Ellie reached for something to hold on to while his fingers teased her, but he jerked his head just out of reach. His eyes twinkled.

“Hands above your head.”

Placing a kiss on her stomach, his fingers returned to exploring her. Biting into her bottom lip, she panted when he pinched her now sensitive clit, and her hips jerked, her orgasm mounting. Evander continued to play with her until she was half-crazed and close to the edge. Reaching over, he pulled something from the drawer in the nightstand and pinned her with a devilish grin.

“Your wrists.”

His demand was curt, sharp, but the way he was worshipping her body, she obliged. Winding the white silken tie around her wrists, he had her bound in seconds. He kissed one palm and waited a few breaths, giving her a chance to object. An understanding passed between them, and she nodded.

“Keep your hands up.” His husky whisper caressed her skin.

“I thought you wanted to tie me to your bed?”

Evander froze, as his gaze flicked from her face to her bound wrists and back.

“I didn’t think you would—”

“I would. I told you, I’m not fragile; I won’t break.”

His expression darkened, taking several moments to decide if she was telling the truth and, if she was, if he would act on it. Finally, he reached up and slipped the end of the ribbon through the headboard slats, knotting her in place. He looked down, his face stern.

“You are in charge.”

She knitted her brows but nodded in understanding.

“If you want me to stop at any moment, tell me. Say stop. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

He judged her face once more, deciding if she was being honest. While the idea of being unable to move her arms made her heart race, she was more excited at the prospect of allowing him control. He kissed her, relaxing some before slipping a hand between her legs, exploring once again.

“Open your legs,” he demanded. “That’s my girl. I love feeling your body responding to everything I do.” He breathed. One of his fingers found her opening and slid in.

“Gods,” he said, kissing her breast. As his finger moved in and out of her, stroking her higher, his tongue found her aching nipple. Ellie gasped and arched her back, pulling against the ribbon. When the second finger joined the first, she rocked her hips.

“Tell me how to please you.”

“What?”

“Tell me how to please you, darling. Tell me what feels good to you.”

Her voice sounded strained to her ears. “Hook your finger.”

“Good girl.”

Bending his finger, she gasped when he hit the right spot, her hips coming off the bed in response. Evander’s rhythm was like everything else about him: controlled, precise, methodical. He kept in time with his tongue swirling her breast to where both sensations had her closer to the edge. She moaned when his mouth found hers, and he hungrily devoured her kisses. She was close, so close.

“That’s right, Ellie. You’re doing so well. You look so beautiful like this.”

Her moan came out louder, and embarrassment flooded her. She clamped her mouth shut, squeezing her eyes closed. Evander slowed down, bringing her back from the edge.

Finding the shell of her ear, he whispered low. “Don’t hold back, darling. I want to hear you scream. I want to hear you say my name as you come for me. I want everyone in this fucking house to hear how good I make you feel.”

She felt her cheeks heat, but as he sped up, his fingers moved in and out, creating a deliciously perfect rhythm that had her lost in the pleasure he mounted in her. Her orgasm came quickly. Letting out an intense cry, shuddering, straining against the ribbon, her hips off the bed. Evander removed his fingers and, while his eyes stayed fixed on her, slipped both into his mouth, tasting her. He slid down her body, kissing her heated flesh as he went. Nipping the insides of her thigh, he chuckled when she yelped.

“Open your legs. I intend to devour you.”

Wiggling out of his grasp, she shifted, but he stopped her as his large hand grasped her thigh.

“You don’t have to, you know.”

A crease deepened across his forehead. “I enjoyed your mouth on me, and I’m eager to return the favor.” He smirked. “If you don’t want me to taste you, say the word, darling.”

She swallowed and looked up at the ceiling. “I—you don’t need to. I’ve gone, and you should; you need—” He stroked down her thigh. Whatever she was going to say was lost.

“I’ve gone,” she breathed.

Evander chuckled. “I see. You think you’re done, do you?” He grabbed her hips, dragging her body across the bed to him, stretching her bound arms. The softness of his feathers tickled her toes when he tossed her legs over his shoulders.

“Oh, Miss Ellie.” He stroked her as he spoke. “I meant what I said. I plan to wring every bit of pleasure from your body I can, and I’m just getting started.”

True to his word, Evander devoured her. His hot mouth found its target, his tongue working quickly. Gripping both thighs, he held her in place with no relief from his madness. His lips found her swollen clit, pulling, nibbling, causing her to jerk. When his fingers returned to help in the sweet attack, she lost herself completely. Trying to find something to grip, she aimed for the sheets, but her bound wrists made that impossible. She was wild, writhing and panting, pulling against the ribbon. His tongue flicked against her, pushing her further past her control, overwhelmed. She strained against the bindings. His fingers gripped her thighs keeping her in place. Her breath caught behind her ribs. She couldn’t move. She needed to move. She had to move. Now. The fire roared, shooting flames as the candles in the room blazed. Ash and embers floated around them.

“Stop. Stop. Stop.”

His head jerked, and Evander immediately stopped. His eyes wild, concerned, he scrambled to untie her from the headboard.

“Wait.”

“You said stop.” He looked down.

“I know. It was a little much, a little intense”—her breath was ragged, her eyes wild—“but I want this.”

“Let me untie you.”

She shook her head. “No. I’m okay now.” Her gaze met his, and she couldn’t help the tender smile that slipped across her lips. “You stopped.”

“Of course.”

“You stopped.”

“Always. You’re in control.”

“You stopped.”

“Do you trust me?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

He let loose a guttural groan and gathered her to him, raining kisses down on her forehead, cheeks, her lips. “Are you sure? Let me untie you.”

Ellie nodded again and wrapped her legs around his waist. “No. I’m okay. I know you’ll stop.”

“Do you want to continue?”

“Yes,” she said as she kissed him.

Reaching up, he untied her from the headboard but kept her wrists bound. He began slowly, working her up, taking his time. When his mouth found her center again, it wasn’t long before she was panting, racing along to her release.

“Tell me how you like it.” He nipped the tender skin on the inside of her thigh, causing her to jump. Resting his cheek on her knee, his devilish grin curled along his mouth. “Instruct me. I want to learn what you like. You’ve done so well so far, but if you want to come, you’ll tell me what you want.”

His constant praise and encouragement were setting her on fire. The nearer he brought her to orgasm, the more she could swear ash floated in the air from the fireplace. He winked, quickly returning to the task. Ellie moaned, rocking her hips against him.

“Tell me.”

“That?” Her voice hoarse.

He teased her, easing back, and she shifted, trying to get him where she needed, but he evaded her movements.

“Tell me, Ellie.” Lightly stroking her, driving her crazy.

“Please. Please.”

He continued, barely touching her with his tongue until she was desperate.

“Here?” He teased, going deeper, sinking his tongue into her. Stars burst overhead.

“Oh, god”—her hips jerking off the bed—“Evander!” She bucked and grabbed his hair, tugging. He growled, and she felt the vibrations ripple through her body.

“Hands above your head,” he demanded, and she gripped the sheets overhead. “That’s my good girl.”

When the second orgasm slammed into her, she cried out with wild abandon, bucking her hips.

“By the gods,” he cooed, coming up for air as she settled back into her body, “I can’t get enough of you. Your taste is like ambrosia.” He ran his tongue down the inside of her thigh and nipped her again. She was sure tomorrow morning she would have red marks from his teeth—marked by a warrior. Letting go of her thighs, he crawled up her body, kissing every place he could. Desperate to have him close, she pulled, and he smiled against her lips.

“So damn beautiful,” he whispered, kissing her cheeks, then her eyes, one at a time.

“You can still change your mind,” she said, eyes closed. He flinched beside her, and Ellie opened her eyes.

“Change my mind?”

“About me.” She swallowed. “You can still change your mind about me if you’re unsure. With Athena and your vow. We have broken it, but you can change your mind. I want you to be sure.”

Evander touched her cheek, rubbing his thumb along her cheekbone.

“Ellie, all I want is to worship you. I’m not worried about anything but you.” He kissed her, sliding his hand into her hair and tugging. Breaking the kiss, he continued. “You are all I want. All I’m thinking about. I’m sure. Besides, do you think I’m done with you? I’m not even close to being done. I want you sore enough tomorrow that with every step, you remember I was inside you. I don’t know that I’ll ever be done.”

He held her bound hands down against the bed, parting her legs with his knee. He reached to the nightstand and picked something off the edge.

“We don’t need a condom,” Ellie said.

“Yes, we do,” he said, scowling, soft but firm.

“Yes, I know, it’s just . . . diaphragm.”

He lifted off her, touching her ribs on one side and stroking her skin. “Did I hurt you?”

“No, my diaphragm. My preferred birth control is a diaphragm. I came prepared.” She smiled sheepishly before reaching up and pulling him down, kissing him. She liked the feel of him, his weight on her, pushing her into the mattress. It was comforting. The tip of him settled at her entrance, she arched her back.

“Tell me,” he ordered. “Tell me you want to fuck me.”

She bit her lip, but he persisted.

“I need to hear you say it.”

“Yes,” she breathed, nodding enthusiastically. “Fuck me, Evander.”

The growl that tore loose from him was primal, sending shivers down her spine. He entered slowly, giving her time, allowing her to stretch to accommodate his size. He shuddered and hissed through his teeth.

“Zeus! Ellie.”

Moaning, he slid further, and she took him to the hilt. Her body stretched around him, loving each slow stroke. He moved against her, testing, seeing what she could take before pulling out. He sunk into her, tearing a gasp, then a whine when he slowly pulled out. Every inch, every stroke was like heaven. Over and over. Controlled and precise.

“That’s right,” he encouraged. Keeping her hands above her head, she felt stretched and exposed, at his mercy. “You are taking me so well. Take all of me.”

“Give me all of you. Don’t stop.”

Quickening the pace, he hit that spot repeatedly, her eyes fluttering closed. With each pump, she knew he was getting close to his orgasm but was prolonging it for her.

“You’re doing so good,” he rasped, closer still to the edge. “Eyes on me, Ellie. I love how your body responds. Like you were made just for me.”

Pulling her legs up, the position driving him deeper. They both moaned in unison on the next stroke. He was frantic now, rocking her with his body. She could feel him everywhere. His lips, his hands, all of it. Breathing him in, that intoxicating scent of soap, clean and him. She adored that he was so focused on her pleasure that it drove her closer to the edge. She gripped the sheet above her head, holding on but letting go. Her eyes closed as she let him flood her senses, enjoying everything he did.

“Open your eyes, darling. I’m almost there. I want you to watch me come undone inside you.” Sucking in a breath, so close to his orgasm. “I want you to see how good you make me feel.” His breath was labored and raspy, sending tingles throughout her body.

“Oh fuck! Ellie.”

He held her hips, fingers digging into her ample flesh. Trembling, shaking, her inner muscles gripping him. She didn’t realize she had screamed out until she felt him chuckle above her.

“That’s right, scream. I love hearing my name on your lips.”

They fell, apart, but together. Sweat slicked their bodies, their breaths mingling. He collapsed on top of her, still pulsating, satiated. Warmth radiated through her from her heart to her limbs. Evander kissed her, slow, sweet, as he slid out and gathered her to him. In a moment he had them cleaned up and had rolled to his side. He tucked her close, holding her, cradling her protectively against his body. He kissed her hairline and stroked her hip as she floated back to earth. Ellie tried to move, to shift next to him, when she remembered something.

“Umm, Evander?”

“Mmm?” His lips vibrated against her neck.

“You, ah . . . you wanna let me go?”

His head shot up, and he laughed, rumbling deep in his chest as she lifted her bound hands, wiggling them.

“I think I shall keep you tied up. I rather like having you bound and at my mercy,” he said jokingly as he made quick work of untying her. When free, he traced her arm to her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. He held one wrist up, examining it, then the other, placing a soft kiss on her pulse.

“I like you in my bed,” he murmured into her hair.

“I like it when you call me yours,” she admitted softly, shy now for some reason.

“You are mine.” He flexed his interwoven fingers with hers. “Are you alright?”

She nodded. “Yes. I am. I’m sorry.”

He rolled so she was looking at him, his expression soft. “Never apologize for stopping, Ellie. Never.” He kissed her. “Never.”

Rubbing her nose against his, she smiled. “Never.”

Snuggling closer, his limbs closed around her, caging her in while keeping her safe. This would lead to consequences both of them would face, but tonight, she wanted to wrap up with this man, be adored and admired and worshipped. Safe. Evander had not only told her how much he cared about her, he showed her.

She was his.

Her body, her mind, and her battered heart.

All his.