Chapter Twenty-Two MAE
Chapter Twenty-Two
MAE
Rowan stared at me. I couldn't look away from the beam of his gaze. My body was a cacophony of sensation. But amidst the intensity of it all, a sense of triumph rose through.
Finally, finally. I had erased an ugly experience with this one.
Not for a second did I think of what had happened before. All I knew at this moment was Rowan and the feel of him filling me. Bonus point: firefighters are pure muscle. He was all of that. His hands slid down to my hips, gripping just enough to let me know he was there.
I was impatient and rose again, demanding, “Don't be gentle. Fuck me.”
His grip tightened, and he rocked into me deeply.
My eyes fell closed as I took a shuddering breath.
I didn’t expect what came next. He'd already given me one orgasm with his mouth and his fingers, and I thought that was enough.
After several deep strokes, he held me closer and rocked into me in subtle nudges.
My breasts brushed against his chest when he whispered, “Mae, I need to see you.”
I dragged my eyes open. It felt as if intimacy was binding us in a shimmering net, like glittery sparks flying from a bonfire encircling us.
His green eyes were hot on mine. His thumbs pressed right over my clit.
My orgasm startled me, the force of it so intense I cried out keenly.
My mind blanked, and I swear I saw stars.
I felt him shudder with one deep surge into me, followed with the heat of his release filling me.
His arms wrapped around me, and I fell against him, tucking my head into the curve of his neck as we trembled together.
I didn't know how long he held me like that, but my awareness returned in pieces.
The sensations ricocheting through me slowed.
His fingers sifted through my hair. I felt the press of his hand still gripping my hip, his collarbone under my lips, and the feel of his heartbeat slowing in tune with mine.
I didn't want this to end because it was so much better than I thought.
I did trust him completely, and I'd already known that.
Even then, I'd worried. But this experience was so separate from what had happened before.
The fragmented memories didn't bombard me as I’d feared they might.
I eventually lifted my head to find his gaze waiting. We stared at each other quietly for a moment, and I felt my lips tug into a lopsided smile.
He leaned forward and kissed me. His gaze was almost bemused.
“What?” I pressed.
He lifted his shoulder lightly in a shrug. “I don't know. That just felt really good. Better than really good. Better than amazing.”
I rolled my eyes. “Better than amazing?”
After the intensity of that and all the emotion attached to it, I needed the lightness. When he laughed, I could feel the reverberation of it in my body. Because he was that kind of man, he lifted me off his lap and carted me into the shower. We fell asleep together.
I came awake to the feel of Rowan shifting behind me into a shivering stretch. I felt every vibration of his body down to my toes. He was a toe-curling kind of guy. He was spooned behind me, and I lay there blinking as a smile curled the corners of my mouth.
I almost laughed, and then realized I actually had when he asked, “What's so funny?”
I felt the rumble of his voice between my shoulder blades. “Nothing really.” I rolled over on my back, feeling a little sheepish. “I never thought I'd wake up with you.”
His eyes skated over my face when his lips stretched into a smile, and my belly did a little shimmy and twist. We stared at each other, and it felt kind of silly. He lifted a hand, smoothing my tangled hair.
“It's really pretty awesome,” he murmured before dusting a kiss over my lips.
That glancing touch sent a sizzle zipping through my body. He rose, resting on an elbow as the sheets slid down to his waist. I sighed and elbowed him in the side.
“What?”
“You're kind of too much.”
“Too much what?”
I waved vaguely at his chest. “All manly and muscley,” I offered by way of explanation.
He chuckled. “My job's kind of demanding.”
“True. You actually have to stay in shape.”
“What are your plans for today?” he prompted.
I straightened, feeling a little bashful and tugging the sheet with me. I saw Rowan's eyes, or rather felt Rowan's eyes, dip down to my nipples, which were telling him good morning by perking up. My cheeks got hot, and he was gracious enough to let me keep the sheet tucked under my armpits.
Sassafras jumped on the bed, coming to a quick stop as her tail twitched in the air. She appeared to be attempting to assess the situation.
“Does she normally sleep with you?” Rowan asked.
“Um, no, not really. Sometimes she does, and sometimes she doesn't, but I don't think she's ever stayed in bed all night, that's for sure.”
“I don't think she likes me.”
Sassafras sank her haunches on the bed, her tail slithering back and forth like a snake on the sheets. “Aunt Carrie said she needed me.”
“I think she probably figured her cats were more than enough,” Rowan offered, his tone dry.
“You know her cats?” I prompted.
The rumble of his chuckle reverberated through me. “Carrie’s a regular with the fire department. Her older cat is known to get stuck in trees. It's a rite of passage to go rescue him. I've already had to do it twice because she's got a kitten now too.”
I sputtered a laugh. “Of course, she does. I didn't know her older cat got stuck in trees that often, though.”
“Your plans?” he asked.
“I don't have any plans. Would you like some pancakes for breakfast?”