Chapter 37
THIRTY-SEVEN
S
heer relief and need slid through Willow at the desperation in Tripp’s hold. She kissed him back with all the longing she’d suppressed for too long, fingers buried in his thick, short hair.
Finally. Finally, they were going to be together.
Her heart raced at the feel of all that masculine power flattened against her.
She pressed closer yet, stroking her tongue along his, his raw groan filling her with a heady rush of power.
Everything she felt for him, everything she’d denied herself and buried since that night on the beach after Carson’s funeral was suddenly free.
Tripp cupped the back of her head in one big hand, still kissing her while he dipped his other arm down under her butt and lifted her off her feet. She gasped, a thrill shooting through her at the show of raw strength, wrapped her legs around him as he turned and started down the shadowy hall.
They entered the cool, dark recesses of his room. There was just enough natural light filtering in through the shadows for her to make out the shape of his wide bed.
He bent over the side to set her down on it. She shimmied over, pulled him close, and shut her eyes on a soft moan when he finally lowered his body onto her like a warm, delicious, weighted blanket.
Tripp cupped the side of her face in one hand and braced his upper body on one forearm, dipping back down to kiss her. Needing more, she tightened her arms and legs around him, rubbing every sensitive place against him impatiently.
His mouth left hers to drop fervent kisses across her face. Her jaw. She tipped her head back as his lips and tongue traced a burning path down the side of her neck, hitting a spot that made her shiver.
“Years, Will. I’ve wanted you for years,” he muttered against her skin as his hands found the bottom of her pajama top.
Yes, more, hurry...
She raised her arms when he peeled it off and over her head. Her nipples tightened to hard, aching points as he stared at her bare breasts he’d fantasized about for years.
A low, rough sound came out of him, but his touch was reverent as he cupped one, rubbing his thumb over the sensitive tip.
Willow hissed in a breath and moved restlessly beneath him, her body on fire and desperate for him to ease the empty ache inside her.
She arched her back and pulled his head toward her, telling him without words what she needed.
Tripp obliged, first nuzzling her, his beard rubbing over her sensitized skin. Then his mouth found her nipple, lips surrounding it with tender suction while his tongue stroked lazily.
“Ahh, Tripp...” She’d imagined this so many times. Dreamed of it. Could hardly believe it was actually happening.
He made a sound of agreement and kept going, his fingers closing around the other nipple to squeeze and torment.
She was so wet already, throbbing and getting impatient. She grabbed a fistful of the T-shirt he’d changed into for bed and dragged it up. He stopped what he was doing only long enough to yank it off and toss it aside before capturing her other nipple in the heat of his mouth.
More pleasure flooded her, making her feel drunk.
She ran a hand down his back, savoring the feel of the muscles bunching under his skin.
It was so smooth, the skin unblemished where his plate carrier had protected him from the blast. He felt like heaven on top of her, his scent surrounding her, making her dizzy with need.
“Take off your clothes,” she demanded.
“You first.” He leaned to one side, hooked his fingers in the waistband of her pajama pants and eased them down her hips. She lifted to help, sucked in her breath when his palm brushed lightly over the ultrasensitive place between her legs as he stripped the pants off.
Tripp set a hand on her ankle. Stared at it as he smoothed it slowly up her calf, over her knee. “You’re so stunning, Will,” he murmured, his palm stroking up her thigh. “Even more beautiful than I imagined.”
The compliment was lovely, but she bit her lip, her toes curling in anticipation as she waited to see what he would do next. Dying for it. Because she had a feeling this was going to be more intense than she’d imagined.
His hand continued up her thigh, gradually moving inward. Her breathing shortened when his fingertips lightly skimmed over her folds.
“Don’t tease,” she gasped out, ready to come out of her skin.
Tripp seemed in no rush. Still watching his fingers, he repeated the motion. Then again, but firmer this time. Dipping into her wetness briefly before spreading it up to the hard, throbbing knot at the top of her folds.
Don’t stop, she pleaded silently, every muscle pulled taut.
He circled it ever so carefully, the sudden, sharp pleasure bringing a strangled cry from her throat. It was too much and yet not enough. She couldn’t decide if she wanted him to keep going or ease her suffering right here and now. “Tripp...”
“No. Let me do this.” His deep, dark voice rolled over her. “Let me watch while I make you come.”
Willow struggled to pull in air while he continued to torment her with gentle circles, rubbing around and along her most sensitive spot until her thighs started to tremble from the strain. “Tripp,” she managed. “I need...”
He lowered his head between her thighs, his lips brushing her swollen, aching flesh. “This.”
Her hands tightened in his hair, hanging on for dear life.
The velvet stroke of his tongue brought her hips up off the bed, her sharp cry ringing in the quiet room.
He slid his forearms under her thighs and locked his strong hands around her hips, holding her still while he licked and stroked her to the edge of oblivion.