Chapter 11
“Do you mind if I take off my boots?” Rae sat on one end of the couch in the family room and set her root beer on a coaster on the end table. “I’m not used to these things and my feet are killing me.”
“Be my guest.” He set his beer on the coffee table then knelt on one knee in front of her. “I’ll even help you get them off.”
“Thank you, kind sir.” Rae leaned back on the overstuffed leather couch, sinking into the softness. Maybe she shouldn’t be taking off her boots, but she wanted to spend more time with Bear, and she might as well be comfortable.
He grasped the boot heel and sole and tugged, releasing her foot and causing her to let out a sigh of relief. She waited as he pulled her other boot off and she wiggled her toes. “That’s sooo much better.”
“You need to prop your feet up.” He moved onto the couch beside her, slid his arm beneath her knees, and shifted her so that her feet were in his lap. “Now that should feel good.”
“It does.” She stretched out her toes then relaxed them. “I think it might take a while to get used to those boots.”
“If they fit right, shouldn’t take too long.” He pulled off one sock and then the other and stuck them in one boot. He started massaging one of her feet. “You did a great job today.”
“That feels wonderful.” She sighed with pleasure. “As far as riding, I’ve learned a lot from a great teacher.”
She wondered what he’d do if she sat in his lap rather than just having her feet propped up on him. She really wanted to find out, but she remained where she was. “Thank you for letting me ride Angel.”
He continued massaging her foot. “My pleasure.”
“You do that so well.” She wriggled on the couch. “Where did you learn it?”
“Picked it up somewhere.” He shrugged as he set down her foot and grasped the other one. He glanced at her. “I give great back massages, too.”
She held in a grin. “You’re in trouble.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Trouble?”
She gave an emphatic nod. “I’m going to end up asking for a back massage next.”
“I don’t mind.” He gave her a sexy little smile as he continued massaging her foot. “Means I have an excuse to get my hands on you.”
She warmed at the thought of having his hands all over her. She definitely liked that idea.
“You don’t need an excuse,” she said softly, then wondered where that came from. But then, she knew exactly where.
Her desire for Bear was off the charts.
He rested his arm across her shins and paused, his focus entirely on her. He clearly sensed her desire, or maybe he saw it in her eyes, on her expression.
Bear shifted and gathered her into his arms in an easy movement. She rested her head against his chest and put her hand on his bicep. She listened to his heartbeat, steady, reassuring. He smelled so masculine and of sun-warmed flesh. He felt as solid as a rock, his embrace making her feel safe, secure.
He adjusted her position so that he could look into her eyes. His were dark, sparkling with something she couldn’t define. He spoke quietly, yet firmly. “I could fall for you, Rae. Maybe I already have.”
Her skin tingled and warmth spread throughout her. She should tell him to let her go and leave. This was moving way too fast—for both of them.
Instead of fleeing, she slipped her hand into his hair and cupped the back of his head and drew him down to her.
His mouth met hers, and he softly explored her lips before sliding his tongue between them. He tasted incredible and she loved the warm sensations he stirred inside her with his kiss.
A moan rose within her and she couldn’t hold it back. She returned his kiss with a fervor she’d never felt before. He intensified his kiss, driving her desire to new heights.
She slid her hand beneath his T-shirt so that she could enjoy the feel of his firm body. He felt solid and muscular and she couldn’t help but imagine their naked bodies intertwined.
Something in her head told her again that maybe she was pushing things too fast. She pulled her hand away, but he caught it in his.
Instead of trying to stop herself and halt things, she took his hand and placed it on her breast.
Bear groaned as he cupped her breast. He raised his head, breaking the kiss, and looked into her eyes as he traced her nipple with his thumb. “You are so beautiful, Rae.”
She sighed with pleasure and arched her back, pressing her breast against his hand, wanting more. She pushed her T-shirt up, moving his hand aside long enough to get her shirt above her bra.
He stared at her breasts, her rosy nipples visible through the lace of her bra. His throat worked and he couldn’t seem to tear his gaze away.
She couldn’t wait for him. She pulled her bra beneath her breasts. “Suck my nipples, please.”
He met her gaze for a long moment then lowered his head. He slipped her nipple into his mouth and gently sucked.
“Bear.” Her voice came out loud and urgent as she wriggled in his arms. “That feels so good. Please don’t stop.”
“I won’t, hon.” He moved his head to her other nipple, and she whimpered. “You taste like sunshine,” he murmured.
She slid her hands into his hair as he sucked her nipples. It wasn’t enough. She wanted more from him, she needed him.
Rae shifted in his arms and straddled his lap. As he watched, she pulled her T-shirt over her head and tossed it aside. She unfastened her bra and let it fall to the floor.
He seemed mesmerized, staring at her breasts, then raising his head and looking into her eyes. “You are an incredible woman.”
She shimmied on his lap, rubbing herself against the hard ridge that told her all she needed to know—he wanted her, too. He groaned and grasped her hips, forcing her to still. “You are driving me crazy.”
“Good.” She kissed him, hard, daring him to rachet up the intensity.
He moved faster and smoother than she thought a man of his size could. One moment she was straddling his lap and looking down at him. The next moment, she was on her back on the couch, looking up at his gorgeous face.
He eased between her knees, his hips spreading her thighs apart. She wrapped her legs around him, holding him tightly to her.
She squirmed and cried out as he sucked her nipples. He tugged on one with his teeth and a sort of sweet pain burst through her that amplified her desire.
“Bear.” His name came out on a gasp. “I need you.”
He moved away from her breasts, his hands braced to either side of her head as he met her gaze. “I need you too, Rae.” He lowered his head and nuzzled her ear. “I want you like crazy.”
“Then take me.” She couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth. “I’m yours.”
He captured her mouth, kissing her with fervent desire.
She wanted to feel his naked flesh against hers and couldn’t wait any longer. She pushed his T-shirt up and he helped her pull it over his head.
“You’re beautiful.” She slid her palm over his smooth, muscular flesh. “So perfect.”
Rae met his gaze and he wore that sexy grin that made her melt. “I’m beautiful?” he said in a teasing tone.
“Absolutely.” She looped her arms around his neck. “Now kiss me with that gorgeous mouth.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The look in his eyes took her breath away.
She held on to him, rubbing her naked breasts against his bare chest as he brought his mouth to hers.
It felt so incredibly good with nothing between their bare skin. Rae thought she would lose it if she didn’t feel all of him. This man drove everything from her mind but the desire to be with him.
She needed him more than she’d needed anything or anyone before.
Rae clung to Bear like a lifeline, as if he could save her from anything and everything. He was a beacon in a dark, stormy sea, warning her away from the dark and guiding her toward a bright light, drawing her closer and keeping her safe.
He raised his head and their gazes met and held. The man who’d been a little shy and hesitant was gone. A confident man who needed her and wanted her now had taken his place.
Bear rose, straddling her thighs. He watched her as he moved his hands to the button of her jeans and easily unfastened it. She found herself holding her breath as he lowered the zipper.
He eased off the couch and caught her off guard as he scooped her into his arms. She gave a little cry of surprise and flung her arms around his neck as if afraid of falling.
“What are you doing?” she asked as he straightened to his full height.
“Taking you to my bedroom,” he said as his big arms held her to him. “Where we’ll both be a lot more comfortable.”
She smiled. “Carry on, honey bear.”
He grinned as he started carrying her away from the family room. “Honey bear?”
She gave an emphatic nod. “You are to me.”
“Well, all right then.” He reached what she assumed was the back of the house and he carried her into a room and flipped on the lights. The light given off by the lamps on the nightstands was comfortable and not too bright.
He set her on the bed, which was high enough her feet couldn’t reach the floor.
“I’d like to take a shower.” She smiled up at him as he stood between her thighs. “I could use some help scrubbing my back.”
“I’d be happy to offer my assistance.” He wore a teasing grin as he took her hands and helped her to her feet.
Rae smiled and pushed her jeans and panties down. She stepped out of them before heading through an archway, through which she’d seen a gray and brown stone-tiled countertop with twin sinks.
She felt Bear’s presence behind her as she walked up to a luxurious stone-tiled shower with a huge showerhead.
He turned on the water and when the temperature was right, he ushered her in. Water fell like warm, softly falling rain from the showerhead.
“This is wonderful.” She closed her eyes and gave a sigh of pleasure as the water rolled over her head and down her face and arms. “Best shower ever.”
Bear stepped in behind her and pressed himself against her. She widened her eyes in surprise at the feel of his erection against her bare flesh.
He pulled the band out of her hair, setting her hair free.
Rae turned in his arms as water fell over both of them, running over their faces and bodies. He was so handsome with his strong, sun-tanned features and his stubbled cheeks. He kissed her and she closed her eyes, loving the feel of his naked body against hers and the loveliness of his kiss.
He broke the kiss and looked down at her. “I only have my body wash and shampoo. Nothing girly-scented.”
She laughed. “I don’t mind smelling like you. I love your scent.”
He smiled and reached for a bottle of shampoo off a built-in shelf in the rock-tiled wall. He poured a good amount onto his palm and rubbed it into her hair.
She sighed as he massaged her scalp and lathered her hair. He rinsed it out, then used his body wash and a shower scrubby sponge to cleanse her skin. He washed her backside before he moved on downward. He took his time, soaping her shoulders and paying close attention to her breasts. He stopped when he reached her mound then soaped the trimmed hair and the juncture of her thighs. She shivered as her need built with every movement of the scrubby.
Every movement he made was slow and gentle, and incredibly erotic.
Bear knelt and soaped her legs. She braced her palms on his shoulders to steady herself as he soaped each of her feet. His shoulders felt so solid and strong beneath her hands.
When he finished, the big man stood and unhooked a spray nozzle and used the soft spray to wash away the soap bubbles. He gently caressed her skin with the fingertips of one hand as he sprayed her with the nozzle using his other.
When he finished, he put the nozzle back in its holder and faced her. He cupped her face in his hands. “You are so beautiful, Rae.” He ran his thumb along her cheekbone. “You’re special to me.”
She rested her palms on his heavily muscled pecs and searched his gaze. “You’re special to me, too, Bear.” She slid her hands up to his shoulders and he lowered his head to kiss her.
When he drew away, she gave him a sensual look. “My turn to wash that big, gorgeous body of yours.”
He grinned. “You’re going to give me a big head if you keep that up.”
“I call it as I see it.” She grasped the sponge he had gently scrubbed her with and squirted gel on it from the same bottle he’d used.
She started washing his body, corded with muscle in all the best places. Beneath his lab coat, and with his low-key demeanor, she’d had no idea he was so physically powerful. Once she’d seen him in a T-shirt and jeans, she’d had a good idea. Now, seeing him completely naked, she was floored by this beautiful male specimen.
Rae took her time, enjoying every moment of exploring his body. When she reached his large, rigid erection she got a good look at what was in store for her. Butterflies traveled through her body, just imagining having him inside her.
She used the sponge to wash around his cock and he groaned. His muscles bunched, like he was fighting to get control of his desire.
Water rolled over him, soap running in rivulets down his thighs until it washed away. She knelt on the tile at his feet and looked up at him. He had his palms braced against the tiled wall and he stared down at her. His jaw was tight, and his eyes were dark and stormy with need.
Bear couldn’t think straight as he watched Rae now down on her knees. She grasped him in one hand and cupped his balls in her other hand, and his entire body tensed. She slowly lowered her head and her lips slid along his length.
Her warm mouth was heaven. He sucked in his breath, unable to move, mesmerized by the bobbing of her head as he slid through her parted lips…in and out, in and out. He fought to keep his eyes from closing so that he could watch her taking him places he hadn’t been to in quite the same way before.
Water ran down his body and cascaded onto Rae. It rolled over her face and down to her gorgeous, perfect breasts with pretty pert nipples. She looked so beautiful, so sexy and perfect as she knelt in front of him.
The desire to climax slammed into him. It built so quickly he didn’t think he could stop it from taking over.
“Rae.” His voice was rough as her name came out. “I need you.”
She let him slip from her mouth and he helped her get to her feet. “I need you, too.”
“Let’s get to the bedroom.” He almost couldn’t speak. “I have condoms there.”
“Fuck me here.” The word on her tongue surprised him. He liked the way it came from her and it made him want her with even more ferocity. “I’m on the Pill.”
He clenched his jaw as he picked her up and pressed her against the wall. She gasped at the force he used. Not hard, but not gentle. He could barely control the need raging through him.
She wrapped her thighs around his hips, and he moved the head of his erection to her core.
He couldn’t wait. He watched her face as he slid inside her core.
Rae’s eyes widened and her lips parted. “Oh. My. God,” came out in gasps.
Bear moved in and out, holding her gaze as he took her. He clenched his jaw, fighting not to climax too soon. He wanted to stay in heaven as long as possible.
Her breasts bounced as he increased his pace and her thighs tightened around him. He moved hard and fast now, barely holding back to make sure he wouldn’t hurt her. He needed her like nothing he could ever have imagined.
“Bear.” His name almost sounded like a sob as she spoke it. “I can’t wait.”
“Hold on, honey.” He moved in and out faster. “I’m going to come with you.”
“Please, please, please,” she begged him over and over.
He growled out the words, “Now, Rae now.”
Rae screamed his name and he shouted hers. He throbbed inside her as she shuddered around him.
He didn’t stop moving. He couldn’t stop. The feeling was so exquisite that he wanted it to go on forever.
She shuddered and cried out again, and then it was too much for him. He groaned, his body throbbing from the strength of his climax and the power of their lovemaking.
His knees weakened and he slowly lowered her so that they were both kneeling on the shower’s tile floor
His harsh breathing caused his chest to rise and fall. Rae looked like she was having a hard time pulling herself together, too.
He settled on his haunches and dragged her to his lap. She wrapped her thighs around him and clung to him. He held her until strength returned to his limbs.
“Thank you.” She spoke the words in her sweet voice. “Thank you, Bear.”
He leaned back enough to look in her eyes and the corner of his mouth quirked. “I think that’s a mutual feeling.” He wrapped her in his arms again. “You are amazing, Rae.”
Still holding her, he got to his feet and turned off the water. “Can you stand?”
She nodded against his shoulder. “Yes.”
When he set her down, she swayed on her feet and he steadied her. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I just needed a moment.”
After giving her another moment, he grabbed a thick towel and rubbed it over her body. He towel-dried her hair and let it fall in a mass of tangled locks that made her look like a woodland pixie. She looked sated and entirely contented as she watched him dry himself off.
Bear tossed aside the towel and scooped her into his arms.
She shrieked in surprise and clung to him with a laugh. “You keep doing that.”
He grinned. “Just to hear you squeal like that. It’s cute.”
She lightly punched his shoulder. “You might be bigger than me, but I can kick your butt.”
He laughed at that. “I bet you can.” He tossed her on the bed, and she cried out again.
She fell into helpless laughter. “I can’t catch my breath.”
He crawled onto the bed and braced his hands to either side of her head. “Tell me when you do, and I’ll make love to you again.”
Her laughter died away and she smiled up at him. “Breath caught. Now come to me.”