Chapter 34
THIRTY-FOUR
X anthe stood there stark naked before him. Heart galloping, bare toes curling into the silky rug at the intense look Blaine gave her. There was only a tiny hint of nerves, wondering if she was making a big mistake.
His hazel stare heated as he raked it over the entire length of her body and back up. He rose from his chair in a controlled movement that made her pulse jump. Then started toward her with a predatory grace that sent her nervous system into pure chaos.
Maybe this was too fast. Maybe this was a bad idea. Especially right now. But given everything that had happened over the past few days, she didn’t give a shit if it was smart or not.
Her life had fallen apart around her. Imploded. Now her home was gone. But once again Blaine had been there to cushion the blow.
He didn’t just want her. He also cared about her. She felt it deep inside the intrinsic place she trusted most. And he was the only one who could get her out of her head and make her stop thinking.
That was more than enough for now.
Her insides heated. Tightened in anticipation as he stopped in front of her, tall and strong and seductive enough to make her dizzy.
He didn’t hesitate. Didn’t speak. His big hands came up, slid into the back of her hair an instant before he kissed her.
All the need she’d held at bay exploded the instant his lips touched hers. She wound her arms around his neck and gave herself to him. Wanting to get lost in him. Needing it.
This was completely different from last night. Not playful. He kissed her with a dominance and urgency that made her catch her breath, every hot, skillful caress of his lips and tongue building the urgency between them.
She could feel the coiled tension in his muscles. A reflection of the same need that flooded her as he backed her up against the wall next to the door. Pinning her there with the hard weight of his body.
She gasped into his mouth, the delicious shock of contact with his warmth and strength running through her like an earthquake. It was even hotter because he was still dressed.
His hands moved over her bare skin with the skill and confidence of a man who knew exactly what he was doing, lighting up every nerve ending.
They paused a moment at her waist while he flicked his tongue against hers, intensifying the growing throb between her legs.
His long fingers slid down to clamp around her hips, squeezing in a possessive way that sent a hot thrill through her.
He skimmed a hand up her ribs, fingertips lightly stroking the underside of her breast. Her nipples beaded tighter, the pulse between her thighs becoming unbearable. She wanted his touch all over. His hands. His talented mouth. Claiming her. Marking her.
“Wrap around me,” he said between deep, silken kisses.
The command in his voice shot her arousal up another few notches. She tightened her arms around his back and locked one leg around his hip. This was exactly what she needed. Not to think. Just to obey and feel.
Shifting an arm beneath her butt, Blaine lifted her, bringing her toes off the carpet. His hips settled between her open thighs, the ridge of his erection a tantalizing pressure against the wet, sensitive flesh that begged for more contact.
His hands gripped her ass. He rolled his hips, catching her soft cry with another searing kiss, his low sound of approval filling her ears.
I’ve got you.
He didn’t say it. He didn’t have to. She felt it all the way to her core.
She held on tight as he carried her out of his office and down the dim hallway, dropping sweet kisses along her neck on the way. The top of her shoulder. The edge of her jaw, his teeth and tongue teasing her.
He carried her into a room infused with his woodsy scent, caught the door with his foot to swing it shut on the way through. She stopped kissing him long enough to see a huge bed dominating a dark-painted wall.
Blaine took her to it, laid her on her back and immediately straightened, his gaze searing her skin as he drank in the sight of her splayed out before him.
She stretched her arms over her head, offering herself.
Watched with hungry eyes as he methodically undid the buttons of his shirt and shrugged out of it, revealing a powerfully defined torso she couldn’t wait to explore.
His hands moved to his belt. He took his time sliding the end free of the buckle, then undid the button at the top of his fly.
Her heart thudded, her mouth dry and her body on fire as she enjoyed the erotic striptease. His control intact while hers was slipping fast.
She caught a glimpse of black boxer briefs before he shoved them down his thighs along with his pants.
The thick, rigid length of his erection stood proud against his abdomen.
She pushed up on an elbow to reach for it, but he made a negative sound and set a hand on her sternum to push her flat once more.
Holding her gaze, he got onto the bed and came down over top of her, the muscles in his arms and chest flexing as he stayed poised above her.
The intimate connection was electric, sending a secret thrill rocketing through her.
Xanthe couldn’t take the suspense a moment longer.
She reached for him, threaded her hands through his hair as he leaned over her, trying to pull him in for a kiss. He resisted, gave her a fleeting kiss that made her want to whimper in frustration before he lowered his head and his mouth and found that erogenous spot on the side of her neck.
Her neck arched, fingers clenching around his hair as his mouth glided down to capture her nipple. She closed her eyes and groaned at the mingled pleasure and relief, letting the sensation flow through her.
He sucked and stroked his tongue across her captive nipple, his hand warm on her sensitive skin as it moved slowly down her midline. It shifted slightly to coast down the length of her thigh and back up, his fingertips lightly skimming the wet folds between her legs.
She sucked in a breath, anticipating the moment when he finally stopped teasing her and went in for the kill. He raised his head to claim her mouth, tongue playing, soothing and inflaming while she wound around him, needy and restless.
His fingertips delved deeper between her thighs, his movements slow and sure, his mouth capturing every groan and gasp while he learned the secrets of her body. Then he moved to her other nipple, tending to it in the same way while he drove her insane with the slow caress of his hand.
The empty ache between her legs flared as he delved a finger into her. Firm. Knowing.
She groaned, whispered his name like a plea. Torn between wanting to rush through this and slowing down to savor every single moment.
But it was clear he wasn’t going to be rushed.
Blaine released her nipple with one final caress of his tongue, then slid off her to kneel beside the bed and pulled her hips closer to the edge.
Her fingers gripped his hair as he trailed fiery kisses down her clenched abdomen, the tension in her climbing.
She needed him. Needed him so intensely it scared her, but there was no stopping this now.
Sliding a second finger inside her, he kissed the tender spot just above her mound. Just when she was on the verge of blurting out a garbled plea to end her torment, he leaned in and settled his mouth over her folds.
She caught her breath. Released it on a long, liquid moan at the first warm, languid stroke of his tongue.
He flattened it against her, slowly eased it along and over her swollen clit. Patiently. Over and over, intent on finding out what made her crazy until she was mindless and moving restlessly beneath him, desperate to come.
She was close. So close. All she needed was for him to keep doing exactly what he was doing with his fingers while he worked her with his tongue. “Blaine,” she gasped out. “I’m?—”
“Yes.” He stayed exactly where he was, didn’t change a thing. Telling her without words that this was just for her. That he wanted to make her come like this.
She relaxed and gave herself up to it. To him. Enjoying every second as he took her to the edge and then over it with the most exquisite combination of his fingers and tongue.
Her belly and thigh muscles locked. An ecstatic cry tore from her throat as the release swept through her like a tide. Healing. Cleansing.
He brought her down gently, letting the bliss ebb as it carried her back to shore.
She opened her eyes, still breathing hard as she blinked slowly and her vision came back into focus. Blaine stared at the length of her body for a single, loaded heartbeat before rising and coming back down on top of her with a deep, hungry sound.
Xanthe curled her arms around him and drew him in for a slow, deep kiss, letting her hands explore his powerful frame.
His skin was smooth and warm, ridges of muscle along his shoulders and spine.
Twining her tongue around his, she paused a moment to smooth her palm over the taut curve of his ass before coming up his ribs and reversing direction down his torso.
Blaine broke the kiss when her hand stopped on his taut belly. The faint light coming through the window next to the bed lit his eyes with an unearthly glow as he stared down at her, every line of his gorgeous face taut with desire.
Reaching lower, she wrapped her fingers around the thick, hot length of him.
His eyes closed, his head tipping back slightly as he drew in a swift breath.
She loved the feel of him in her hand, the pleasure washing over his face as she stroked him.
The power of it while she swirled her thumb around the ultrasensitive head.
She wanted him to never forget this. To never forget her. Because she would never forget him.
With a rough sound Blaine pulled her hand away and leaned over to fish a condom from a drawer in the bedside table. He had it open and on before he turned back to her, then hooked an arm under her hips to lift them while he stood over her at the edge of the bed.
“God, I want you, Xanthe,” he murmured, bending low for another kiss.
She gave it gladly, wound her legs around his hips to draw him in closer. The head of his erection lodged against her slick opening. She felt the pressure. The unexpected glow of pleasure when he pushed forward, easing in a few inches before stopping.
No, don’t stop… She grabbed at his back, eyes closing as that glow of pleasure ignited into fiery need.
“Yeah, bright eyes, dig in.” He reached between them, teasing her slick clit with his thumb while he pushed the hard length of his erection fully inside her.
Sensation swelled. She locked her ankles around him, rocking up with every controlled motion of his hips. Blaine grasped the undersides of her thighs. Lifted one and brought it over his shoulder.
She stilled, placing a hand on his chest to brace herself. The position felt incredibly vulnerable, would seat him potentially painfully deep.
“It’s okay,” he whispered, and brought her other thigh onto the opposite shoulder.
She softened, trusting him. He gripped one of her hips, his other thumb stroking her aching clit.
Xanthe’s heart pounded as they stared at each other, her folded in half while he slowly buried himself inside her. The intimacy cracked something open deep in her chest. A burst of alarm hit. Disappeared when he took the first slow, firm thrust.
He rode her with easy, measured thrusts, eyes locked on her face while his thumb rubbed the unbearably sweet spot at the edge of her clit.
She gave a soft, helpless moan and opened to him, even though her brain was still trying to warn her not to let him all the way into her heart. Because she had no choice. This need he’d created in her was too great. Her trust in him too deep to hold him at bay.
It was like being lit from within. He continued taking her in that same controlled way, stroked and caressed every delicate nerve ending inside and out.
Even with her eyes closed she could feel him watching her. Drinking in her response.
She surrendered to it all. Clutched the anchor of his thick biceps as they bunched and flexed beneath his skin with every sensuous movement.
Her breathing grew erratic, heart racing as she soared toward another climax, attuned to every bit of him. The way his muscles shifted and flexed. His muted groan as he pushed them both to the precipice.
Another orgasm swept through her, sweeter, gentler this time, lasting longer.
Blaine whispered her name, one hand coming back to her hip, fingers sinking deep. His thrusts grew shorter. Faster. Then he went rigid, his shout of pleasure echoing through the room.
When it was over, he groaned and eased down on top of her, pressing them together from chest to groin, his head resting beside hers on the covers.
Her heartbeat slowed enough to allow her to hear the quiet of the room and the soothing rush of the waves against the rocks below the outside balcony.
As her brain kicked back into gear, her heart stuttered. Oh, shit.
That had been good. Scary good, considering it was only their first time.
More than that, it had been insanely intense on an emotional level she wasn’t sure how to process yet. She was already dealing with so much shit, she couldn’t handle anything else.
“Xanthe. Jesus,” he said at last.
She nodded, understanding perfectly.
An invisible knot swelled in her chest. She turned her lips to his temple, slid her fingers gently through his hair as she cradled him. Not wanting this to end yet. Wanting to stave off the moment when she had to face the cold, hard reality of the outside world.
But deep down, she knew the damage was already done.
She’d done the unthinkable and fallen for the enemy. And it was too late to save herself.