16. Angelica
16
ANGELICA
I pull the blanket over me and wrap it tight around my neck, snuggling into Sawyer’s warm chest. We turned the heater down during the night as we got too hot once the storm had died down. The snow covering the treehouse must be keeping us warm, like an igloo keeps the air trapped inside.
We’re both still naked, wrapped up in each other’s arms. The ghost of him between my legs still lingers, causing my walls to twitch with aftershocks every time I think of him inside of me.
He wasn’t wrong when he said it was going to hurt. I felt like a log being split in two as he came down on me, wielding his weapon, but after I became accustomed to his size, the pain turned to pleasure.
Light pours through the window in the treehouse, a gentle flurry of snow still falling all around us as if we’re in a giant snow globe and nothing can burst this bubble.
I inhale Sawyer’s scent, a mix of his usually woodsy fragrance mixed with our arousal. I loved every minute of last night. The brutality of it all. Him treating me like a woman. A sexy goddess he couldn’t get enough of. And the part about saying I was his.
He spent the rest of the night wrapping me in cotton wool, kissing my forehead, and taking care of me like a gentle giant. A complete contrast to the wild beast from before.
The hairs on his chest tickle my nose and I nuzzle into him, soaking up his scent under the blanket. I don’t want him to wake up in case he has second thoughts about us. But I’m under no delusions. He said himself he doesn’t do relationships. If this is nothing more than a holiday fling, then so be it. But I’m gonna make the most of our time together until Dad comes home and reality sets in. Until then, we can live in our bubble.
“You awake?” he asks as he glides his hand up my spine, sending a wave of goose bumps over my back.
“No,” I say and kiss his chest.
He pulls me tight against him, our bodies squishing together as my breasts flatten against him. “It sounds like the blizzard’s subsided.”
“I don’t want to move. I’m warm and cosy here.”
“Me too. Seems like Twilight was right.” His chest shakes with a silent chuckle.
“What about?” I lift my head to look into his eyes.
“Two naked bodies together keep you warm.” His lips press against my forehead. “We should make a move.”
“I’m scared, Sawyer.” I cling to him, not wanting this bubble to burst.
“Baby girl, I’m so fucking sorry. I’ll never hurt you like that again. You don’t need to fear me.” He peppers my hairline with kisses as I bury my face into his chest.
“Sawyer, I’m not scared of you.” I let out a sigh, my breath warm between us. “I’m scared that once we’re back at the cabin, things will go back to how they were.”
He lifts my chin to gaze into my eyes. “Things can never go back to how they were.”
That reassures me. I don’t want to go back to being ignored.
“I need to get you home, get you showered and warm. Then we can talk about what to do going forward. Okay?”
I bob my head, his finger and thumb still on my chin, holding my face in place as he brings his lips to mine. It’s soft, gentle, and warm, with all the comfort of a teddy bear.
It’s like the calm after the storm. The white blanket covers the ground like a clean cotton sheet on a freshly made bed. The sun shines down on my face and everything just seems brighter than before. My body light, as if I’m walking on clouds and not trudging through the snow like I was yesterday, each step heavy with the weight of all my heartache and the V-card that was hanging from my shoulders like a sandwich board that said loser with a capital L.
I’d never thought much about my virginity. Never cared until I thought Sawyer saw me differently, as though I were this inexperienced girl who wasn’t worth his time. But I realise now that wasn’t the case. He didn’t feel like he was good enough for me to give it to him.
I guess we both need to work on our self-esteem.
The heat in the cabin is already on, thanks to the timer. I kick off my boots in the hall and shrug off my coat. Sawyer does the same. Then, without words, he takes my hand and leads me up the stairs and into the bathroom.
He turns on the shower. Steam fills the air as he undresses me and then strips himself, snapping off his shirt.
As I step under the spray of the water, it hits my skin like pins and needles, my body adjusting to the heat. I lift my face under the showerhead and close my eyes, letting the water wash away all my previous insecurities.
Sawyer steps into the shower behind me, his naked body pressing against my back as his arms slip around my waist. He moves my wet hair back with the gentlest of touches and kisses my neck. “I’m so fucking sorry I bruised you, angel.”
I lift my hand to my neck, the memory of his palm squeezing my throat making my centre flutter. “I’m not.” My body turns to face him and I rise onto my tiptoes to kiss his lips.
“You should be. Last night I lost all control. I was so incensed I couldn’t think straight.” His large palms cup my face as he gazes into my eyes, water running down his cheeks like tears. “When I couldn’t find you, I ran out onto the pier, searching the lake for you. Thoughts that something had happened to you spun in my head, making me fucking crazy.” His lips press against my forehead as he holds me against him under the water. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“I’m sorry. I was angry with you for ignoring me.” My face nuzzles into his chest. “I thought you saw me as a child because I was still a virgin. I wanted to make you jealous and to see me as a woman.” My voice cracks, all the emotions of yesterday resurfacing. “That’s why I wore Mum’s dress.”
He reaches for the shower gel on the wall and pumps two squirts into his hands. “From the moment I caught you in the shower, there’s been no doubt in my mind that you’re all woman, angel.” His palms glide over my skin, sliding down my breasts, his thumb circling my nipple. “You’re fucking beautiful.”
I hum out a sigh as he flicks his thumb over my sensitive peaks, still sore from his teeth and the assault of his tongue.
His hand lathers soap over my stomach, squeezing my belly with both hands. A satisfied hum tumbles from his lips as he rubs his calloused hands over my soft flesh, slipping down between my thighs.
I gasp at the contact on my swollen, sensitive parts. Both pleasure and pain with the tender muscles there.
“Does it hurt a lot?” His brow knits with concern, guilt etched on his face.
“No.” I widen my stance, wanting him to play with me, touch me, fuck me.
His finger slips between my folds, lathering the soap around, sliding back and forth.
“Sawyer,” I hum, my head lolling back as I enjoy his hands caressing my aching centre. A total contrast to how he was last night. I love both sides to him, honoured that I got to experience this other part of him. The teddy bear of a man and the grizzly bear of the beast.
“Turn around.” He pumps more soap into his hands and works my shoulders, giving me a massage. His large palms glide down my back, over every bump and crease, as if he’s tracing the lines, taking his time as he washes me with his bare hands.
With the spray of water on my face again, I close my eyes, enjoying the warmth and closeness with him, my entire body vibrating with tingles as his fingertips tickle my skin.
Reaching my bottom, he cups both cheeks and squeezes, kneading and massaging my behind. With anyone else, I’d be embarrassed by a man focusing so intently on my large backside, but the way Sawyer moans in pleasure tells me he likes what he sees.
“You have a beautiful arse, angel.” He kisses my neck as his fingers tease between the valley of my cheeks, sliding from top to bottom and finding my sensitive knot.
I suck in a breath at the contact, my legs shake, already weakened from last night. The sensation completely new to me. I’ve never touched myself there before. Not like this. I push my bottom out, encouraging him to probe more.
“You like that?” He kisses along my neck where he held my throat last night as if he can kiss away the bruising. He massages me back there, loosening the tight knot. “When you’re used to me, I’m going to fuck you here and claim every part of you.” He growls from deep in his chest, reminding me of the grizzly bear from last night.
“I want that now. Please, I can take it.” I push my bottom back more and press against a hot rod of muscle.
“You need time to recover after last night.” His finger slips into my ass, lathered in soap. It’s just the tip, but I cry out, the sound like a mewl from deep in my throat.
Placing my palms against the shower wall to brace myself, my hips rock into him, teasing, hoping he’ll bend me over and take what he wants.
“Don’t tempt me, angel.” He removes his finger, disappointment coursing through me.
I jolt forward with a yelp as a stinging crack lands on my backside. “Did you just spank me?”
He growls, massaging the sting with has palm, then another slap, the water making a splash sound along with the slapping of flesh.
The sting travels straight to my core, causing tingles to shoot up my spine.
“That’s for being a brat.” He kisses my shoulder. “And for leaving me last night.”
I brace myself for another sting.
“And this is for tormenting me when I said no.”
I’m jolted forward, but I bite back my yelp. He’s not using the strength I know he has. And after all his sorries about how he was too rough with me, I doubt this will leave a mark, but my centre pulses at the thought of his handprint bruising my cheek. Pink’s always been my favourite colour.
“You need to learn that I know what’s best for you and stop trying to push my buttons.”
“I’ll be a good girl, I promise, Sawyer.” I turn around and run my hands over his chest, lathering him in soap just like he did me. My hands roam over his soft flesh, like a giant teddy, but underneath he hides a wall of muscle that’s as strong as a bear and able to protect me and carry me when I need it.
My eyes drift down to his monster erection that reaches the crease, hiding his belly button. My fingertip traces the wet hair from his belly to the base of his shaft, rivulets of water running down his magnificent frame, and I want to lap them up with my tongue.
As I slide my finger along the length of him, tracing the thick blue vein that leads to the head, he hisses.
His chest rises and falls with a rumble from his throat as if I’m awakening the beast. “What are you doing, angel?”
“Just because I’m still sore doesn’t mean I can’t play with you.” I look up through my lashes. “Is it okay if I touch you?”
He nods with gritted teeth and I can tell it’s taking all his strength to keep control.
“Tell me what to do. What do you like?” It’s empowering to have this giant of a man groan out in pleasure from my touch.
“I like anything you do.” He takes my hand and squeezes the minty shower gel onto my palm. “Wash me.” He guides my hand to his erection.
I slide my hand over him, his shaft slick with soap, and move it up and down.
His eyes don’t leave mine as I continue to fondle.
“Like this?”
“You’re a natural. Now move your hand lower and wash my balls.”
My hand trembles as I cup his sack. I slide it back and forth and squeeze gently, feeling inside like two hard-boiled eggs.
“Fuck. That’s it, baby girl. Just like that.” His lips curve in one corner. “You like playing with those, huh?”
“Yes.” I can’t stop jiggling them in my palm. It’s satisfying, like playing with a squishy.
His lips press to mine, his tongue slipping through my parted mouth, and I melt against the shower wall. He pulls back, brushing the wet hair from my eyes. “I’m gonna enjoy teaching you everything you want to know, angel. And we can find out what each other likes. But right now, I want to take care of my baby girl. Turn around and let me finish washing your hair.”