Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
MASON
T ara’s fingers trace lazy patterns on my chest as we lie there, basking in the afterglow. My heartbeat is already picking up again. I can’t get enough of her. One taste was not enough. It only served to whet my appetite for more.
“You know,” I murmur, “I think we can do better.”
She lifts her head from my chest, and even though I can’t see her, I can feel her smile. “Oh, really?” she challenges playfully.
“Mmm-hmm,” I hum, already feeling my body respond to the thought. “How about we play a game?”
“A game? What game?” Her voice is laced with intrigue.
I whisper in her ear, my voice low and sultry. “How about you lie back, refrain from touching me, and let me explore your body? You won’t know what’s coming next.”
“That sounds... thrilling,” she says in a voice barely above a whisper.
“It will be,” I promise, already imagining all the ways I want to touch, taste, and tease her. “But you have to trust me completely. Can you do that, Juliet?”
“Yes,” she breathes. “I trust you, Romeo.”
A thrill runs through me at her words. I gently guide her onto her back, feeling her body stretch out beside me. I can sense her anticipation, her nervousness, and it only serves to heighten my own excitement.
“I know you can’t see me, but close your eyes anyway,” I say as I brush my lips against her ear. I feel her comply, her body tensing slightly as she waits for my next move.
I start slow, trailing my fingertips lightly down her arms, feeling her shiver beneath my touch.“I’m going to explore every inch of you, Juliet. Your body is mine to play with, to tease, to pleasure.”
She lets out a soft gasp, her body arching slightly at my words. I smile, loving the effect I’m having on her. I continue my exploration, my fingers tracing the curves of her collarbone, the swell of her breasts, the dip of her waist. I’m taking my time, committing every inch of her to memory.
I lean down, my tongue replacing my fingers as I trace a path down her stomach. She squirms beneath me, her breath coming in short gasps. “Romeo,” she whispers, her voice filled with need.
“Shh,” I say soothingly as I gently spread her thighs apart. “Let me take care of you again.”
I settle between her legs, my breath hot against her most sensitive spot. She whimpers softly, her hips lifting slightly in anticipation. I start slow, my tongue gently exploring her folds, circling her clit with a light, teasing touch. Her hands find their way to my hair, gripping tightly as she moans softly.
I increase the pressure, my tongue lapping at her with a steady rhythm. Her hips begin to move in sync with my motions, her breath coming in ragged gasps. I can feel her tension building, her body coiling tighter and tighter as I bring her closer to the edge.
Just as she’s about to climax, I pull back slightly, my tongue moving to her inner thighs, tracing delicate patterns on her skin. She lets out a frustrated groan, her hips lifting in search of my touch. I chuckle softly. “Patience, Juliet,” I murmur, my voice laced with amusement.
I return to my exploration, my tongue delving deeper, tasting her more intimately. Her moans grow louder, her grip on my hair tighter as she grinds against my mouth. I can feel her body trembling, her muscles tensing as she nears the precipice.
This time, I don’t pull back. I increase the pressure, my tongue moving faster, pushing her over the edge. She cries out, her body convulsing as waves of pleasure wash over her. I stay with her, my tongue gently coaxing every last shiver from her body before I slowly make my way back up, trailing kisses along her heated skin.
“Oh my God,” she breathes, her body still trembling slightly beneath me. I can feel her heart racing, her breath coming in quick gasps.
“And we’re not done,” I murmur. I capture her mouth in a deep, passionate kiss, letting her taste herself on my tongue. She moans softly, her arms wrapping around my neck as she pulls me closer.
I break away from the kiss, my breath ragged. “Turn over,” I whisper, my voice husky with desire. She complies, rolling onto her stomach. I straddle her, my hands gently massaging her shoulders, feeling the tension melt away under my touch.
I lean down, my lips brushing against her ear. “Now, let’s explore some more,” I murmur. I trail kisses down her spine, feeling her shiver beneath me. My hands roam over her body, tracing the curves of her hips, the dip of her waist, the smooth expanse of her back. I let my fingers linger on every sensitive spot, every inch of her sweet, warm skin. Her breathy sighs fill the room, a symphony of anticipation and desire that matches my own racing heart.
I move lower, my lips pressing soft kisses against the small of her back, then the curve of her ass. She squirms slightly, a soft giggle escaping her lips. “That tickles,” she says, her voice muffled by the pillow.
I smile against her skin. Then I lift her hips so she’s on all fours on the bed. Her ass should be right in front of my face, and I’m disappointed that I can’t see her posing like this. My hands spread her legs further apart.
“From memory, this doesn’t tickle,” I say, my voice low and teasing. I trail a finger down the length of her moist slit before sliding a finger inside her, then another, pumping them in and out with a slow, steady rhythm. She moans softly, her hips moving in sync with my motions. I can feel her growing wetter, her body responding to my touch.
Leaning down, I press a soft kiss against her ass cheek, then let my tongue trail down to her wet centre to replace my fingers. She gasps, her body tensing slightly as I explore her with my tongue, tasting her, teasing her.
“Romeo,” she whispers, her voice filled with need. “I want you inside me.”
I smile against her skin, more than happy to comply. I give her clit one last gentle suck before I leave her to blindly reach out for another condom. Once I’m sheathed, I position myself behind her. I grip her hips firmly, lifting her ass higher in the air. She spreads her legs wider, inviting me in.
I guide myself to her weeping entrance, feeling her heat and wetness against my tip. I push in slowly, inch by inch, feeling her stretch around me. She moans softly, her back arching as I fill her completely. I begin to move, my hips thrusting against hers in a steady rhythm.
Her moans grow louder, her breath coming in ragged gasps as our bodies move together. I lean forward, my chest pressing against her back, my lips finding her ear. “You feel so good, Juliet,” I ground out. “So fucking good.”
She turns her head slightly, capturing my lips in a deep kiss. Our tongues tangle together, our breaths mingling as we move as one. I can feel her body tensing, her muscles coiling tighter and tighter as we chase our releases together.
I break away from the kiss, my breath ragged. “Come with me, Juliet,” I pant, my body aching for release. I reach around, my fingers finding her clit, circling it in time with my thrusts. Her moans grow louder, her body tensing beneath me.
“Romeo,” she cries out, her voice filled with urgency. “I’m close.”
“Me too, baby,” I groan, my body coiling tight, ready to explode. “Let go, Juliet. Let go with me.”
Her body convulses, her inner muscles clamping down on me as her orgasm rips through her.
The sensation sends me over the edge, and I come undone, my body shaking with the force of my release.
I pull out of her and lie on the bed, pulling her into my arms. Our bodies, slick with sweat, are still trembling with the aftershocks of our shared climax. Her head rests on my chest, her breath hot against my skin. We lie there in silence, basking in the glow of our passion, the room filled with the sound of our breathing.
As my heartbeat slowly returns to normal, I can’t help but feel a pang of regret. This night has been more than I ever could have imagined, but the thought of Tara leaving my bed soon is like a dark cloud on the horizon.
I push the thought away, focusing instead on the present, on the feeling of her in my arms.
Tara snuggles closer, burying her head in my neck. “Again, that was incredible,” she murmurs, her voice soft and content.
I press a kiss on the top of her head, smiling. “You’re incredible,” I say, meaning every word. This night has only reinforced what I’ve always known—Tara is unlike any other woman. She’s special, unique, and she’s stolen my heart all over again.
“You’re not so bad yourself, Romeo,” she teases. “In fact, you’re quite the surprise.”
I chuckle, my fingers tracing the curve of her spine. “Oh, really? And why is that?”
She pauses for a moment. “Well, for one, you’re incredibly generous in bed. Most guys wouldn’t be so... attentive.”
I grin, feeling a sense of pride at her words. “Well, I’m not like most guys. And you, Juliet, deserve to be treated like a queen.”
She lets out a soft sigh, her body sagging against mine. “Somewhere out there is a lucky woman who will capture your heart.”
It’s you, babe. It’s you. And I’ll do anything to make you forgive me.
But I can’t tell her that right now. The timing is not right, so I force out a laugh instead. “I don’t know about that. Despite what you just experienced, I’m not perfect,” I say jokingly.
“Ha ha. Seriously, though. I really think you’re a very nice, decent person.”
I let out a sigh. “There are things in my past that I wish I could take back.”
“Really? Maybe you can tell me,” she says softly.
“Why?”
“Because it might make you feel better. Remember that we don’t really know each other. There’s freedom—and perhaps, relief—in anonymity.”
Her words hit me hard, and I shut my eyes as I gather my thoughts. Then, with my heart pounding in my chest, I start my confession—a partial one.
“When I was a teenager, I unknowingly got involved with a gang—the kind that wouldn’t let you out once they were able to snare you in. Still, I tried getting out, so I was punished. They…” I take a deep breath, not knowing how to relay this information without giving away too much. “They not only hurt me but also the people I loved the most.”
Tara gasps. “I’m so sorry.”
I tighten my arms around her. “I couldn’t fix things because if I tried, the gang promised worse things against my loved ones. So, I had to keep my distance from them to keep them safe. That was my biggest punishment. The gang knew how much moving away from them destroyed me.”
Tara places a kiss on my chest. “Are they still around? The gang, I mean.”
“They were eventually caught.”
“And were you able to see your loved ones again?”
I inhale sharply. “Eventually, yes. Only by accident. Anyway, I think that’s the end of the story for now.”
“Okay.” Tara places a comforting palm on my cheek. “I’m so sorry that happened to you and your loved ones. And I’m sorry I pressured you to share. I hope it didn’t dampen your spirits. I was hoping for the opposite effect.”
Ah, she’s still the kindest person I know. “Well, terrible as that event was, it had a silver lining,” I say to lighten the mood.
“That’s good,” she says encouragingly. “What was it?”
“One of my loved ones became even more popular because of that event. Everyone learned of what happened, and they showered her with support. I was very pleased about that. As for me…in a way, it saved me from being stuck in the gang’s web. I hated that I had to move away from my loved ones, but had I stayed, it would have been impossible to get out of the gang’s clutches. Things would probably have gotten much worse for my loved ones before the thugs got arrested. Hell, I probably would have been arrested as one of their members. I would have joined them in prison.”
“And here you are,” Tara says softly.
“Yes, here I am,” I murmur. “So, as much as I hated everything that happened, I had to acknowledge the silver lining. I would have been a lost cause ages ago if a friend hadn’t helped me see things from a different angle.”
“I think that’s a happy ending for your story,” she said with a smile in her voice.
“Yeah.”
Fuck, I’m so tempted to tell Tara the whole truth. Considering her current reaction, maybe she might forgive me. This might be the best timing I can ever have to ask for her forgiveness.
But…
She wanted to have a one-night stand with a stranger. She asked for darkness and anonymity. I can’t ruin this weekend for her. I don’t want her to feel betrayed by me again.
I’m going to have to wait. I don’t know when, I don’t know how, but I have to hold on to some hope that I’ll eventually find the perfect moment to apologise.