Chapter 17
Seventeen
Deena’s back pressed against the cool wall of her chamber, the only solid thing in a world that had suddenly tilted. Austin’s mouth was on hers, and it felt right. His tongue was hot, insistent, and devastating. Every thought she tried to cling to shattered like glass under his touch.
I should push him away.
She should remember the blackmail, the deadline, Penelope’s safety, Dominic’s trust, and the scandal waiting to devour them both.
Instead, her hands fisted in his hair, pulling him closer until there was no space left between them, until she could feel the hard planes of his chest against her breasts and sensitive peaks. The rapid thud of his heart echoed hers.
Austin groaned, and the sound vibrated through her.
His tongue stroked deep, and she opened herself to him willingly.
One hand cradled the back of her head, fingers threading through her hair, and tugging just enough to tilt her face exactly where he wanted it.
The other slid to her waist, splaying wide, possessive, pulling her hips flush against his until she felt the unmistakable ridge of his arousal pressing insistently against her belly.
Heat exploded low in her body, sharp and liquid, making her thighs clench instinctively.
“Austin,” she whimpered into his mouth.
The sound snapped something in him.
He tore his lips from hers only long enough to drag in a ragged breath, then kissed her again, harder, deeper. He picked her up, and her legs wrapped around him as he moved towards the bed.
Deena gasped and sank onto the mattress, pulling him with her.
Austin followed without hesitation, coming down over her in a slow, controlled descent that made her pulse race faster.
He braced himself on one forearm beside her head.
The other hand slid from her waist to her hip, fingers digging in just enough to make her arch towards him.
This is not proper.
“Tell me to stop,” he rasped against her mouth as if he read her thoughts, voice rough with restraint. “Say the word, and I’ll stop.”
Deena stared up at him. His eyes were dark, the pupils blown wide. The candlelight gilded the sharp line of his jaw, and the faint stubble that had left her lips tingling.
She should say it. She should tell him to stop.
But she didn’t want to. She lifted her hand, fingertips tracing the edge of his jaw, feeling the rasp of whiskers under her touch.
“Don’t,” she whispered. “Don’t stop.”
Something tender flashed across his face. “Deena,” he murmured.
Then he kissed her again, slower this time, like he was savoring every second.
He traveled lower down her squirming body, leaving kisses in a deliberate rhythm that made her toes curl.
His free hand slid up her side, thumb brushing the underside of her breast through the thin muslin of her gown.
The contact was light, teasing, but it sent a jolt straight to her core.
The feeling was new to her, like a pleasurable pain.
She arched into his touch, and a soft moan escaped her.
Austin pulled back just enough to look at her. His eyes were heavy-lidded, and his lips were reddened from her kisses.
“You’re soaking, Dee,” he murmured, voice thick with want. “I need to taste you.”
“Taste me?” Deena gasped as soon as he lifted her gown up and discarded it. Her entire body was exposed to him, and she felt alive and seen. Austin backed away to admire her before he made his return.
“Every little sound you make… It’s driving me mad.”
Deena’s cheeks flamed. “I—I can’t help it.”
“I don’t want you to.” His thumb circled the peak of her breast; his touch made her rasp. “I want every sound. Every shiver. Every gasp. I want to hear what I do to you.”
She bit her lip, trying to stifle another moan as he repeated the motion, firmer this time.
“Don’t hide from me,” he whispered, bending to press an open-mouthed kiss to the corner of her jaw. “Let me hear what you want.”
“I want you,” she whispered.
His lips trailed lower again, along the line of her throat, and the faint scrape of stubble made her shiver. He found a sensitive spot just on her inner thigh, and Deena cried out when he sucked gently, then harder, until she whimpered, fingers digging into his shoulders.
“Austin…”
He growled against her skin. “Say it again.”
“Austin,” she breathed, half plea, half surrender.
His hand slid down her side, fingers grabbing her cheeks as he spread her apart and dived into her sweet spot.
Deena never felt a sensation so strongly before.
As he licked and nipped at her core, her mind exploded.
Cool air kissed her skin, but his touch continued to warm her.
Austin placed his thumb gently on her core and moved in a circular motion until she almost screamed.
He blocked her mouth, stopping the sound.
“Does it feel good, Dee?” he asked her gently as his fingers worked.
“Y…yes!” she gasped.
“You’re being so good so far.” She felt a buildup in the pit of her stomach as he praised her. His smooth palms settled on the bare skin of her thigh. Deena lifted her knees and spread herself more for him.
“Austin,” she breathed his name.
“Yes, Dee?”
“I want you,” she pleaded, not fully understanding what she was asking for.
“Not tonight…not like this, Dee.”
Her breath stuttered; she needed more of him.
Austin paused and bent towards her core until she felt his breath on her wetness. “Still with me?”
She nodded frantically. “Yes.”
“Good girl,” he murmured. The words sent fresh heat rushing through her.
His hand slid higher, fingertips tracing the sensitive crease where thigh met hip, teasing her with light touches and sweet kisses on her core until she almost fell off the edge of her mind. Deena’s hips lifted instinctively, seeking more.
Austin groaned, low and raw. “You’re killing me.”
“Stop teasing me,” she whispered, voice trembling.
He lifted his head, eyes dark with hunger. “Patience, love. We have time.”
“We don’t,” she said, the truth slipping out before she could stop it.
His expression flickered into fierce determination.
“Then just enjoy the time we do have together,” he said, and kissed her sweet folds deeply, desperately.
Deena’s head tossed back and forth. She wanted to scream, but held her mouth shut with her free hand as Austin devoured her.
His fingertips brushed the soft curls at the apex of her thighs. She jolted at the contact, a broken moan escaping her.
Austin pulled back just enough, and Deena looked up at him as his fingers explored her slowly and gently. He traced her folds, slick and swollen, and groaned. Deena felt as if she left her body and was experiencing his touch outside of herself.
“Dee,” he breathed. “You’re soaking for me.”
Deena’s face flamed. “Austin—I need you.”
“Shh.” He kissed her softly, tenderly, and she tasted herself on his lips. His fingers continued to circle the small, aching bud at the top relentlessly. “Let me take care of you.”
She whimpered as he stroked her. Slow circles, gentle pressure, then firmer. His touch built the pleasure until her hips rocked helplessly against his hand.
“That’s it,” he whispered against her mouth. “Let go for me.”
Her fingers dug into his shoulders. “I—I can’t—”
“You can.” His voice was rough and authoritative. “I’ve got you.”
Austin hissed as he sank one finger inside of her wet folds, slowly, and carefully. Deena let out a soft moan. She felt a small sting until her body loosened around him. Austin stretched her gently while his thumb continued to circle the sensitive peak. She arched her back and let out a soft cry.
Austin kissed her through it, matching the rhythm of his fingers, slow and deep, coaxing her higher. Until the tension snapped and a wave crashed through her entire body.
“Oh, Austin!” she moaned as a thrilling feeling rocked through her from the pit of her stomach.
Pleasure crashed over her in waves, making her tremble and gasp against his mouth. He swallowed every sound, every shudder, and drop of her. He held her through it until she went limp beneath him, boneless and dazed.
Deena sighed when he kissed her temple, her cheek, and the corner of her mouth. When she finally opened her eyes, he was watching her with an expression she could not name.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.
Deena’s heart squeezed.
She lifted a trembling hand to his face, fingertips tracing the line of his jaw.
“Austin…” It was the only word she could utter as pleasure pulsed through her.
He turned his head, pressing a kiss on her palm.
“We’re not done,” he said softly. “Not even close.”
She stared up at him, lips parted, body still humming with aftershocks.
And she knew, with terrifying clarity, that she did not want him to stop.
Not tonight.
Not ever.
What have I done?
Austin held Deena tightly against him in the moonlit chamber.
He felt the steady rise and fall of her chest against his.
Her breathing had finally slowed, though little aftershocks still shivered through her every few seconds.
Her cheek rested over his heart, and the soft warmth of her skin against his made him want to explore her more.
I need to end this.
But every part of his body protested.
“Deena?” Austin whispered softly in her ear. She stirred in response but did not awaken.
The sun threatened to rise, and so did Austin’s guilt.
He should have stopped, but he did not want to. Deena’s body pulled him to her; her lips called to him, and her voice tempted every inch of him. Knowing that she could be a potential enemy struck fear and distrust in Austin, and yet it did not change the fact that he was attracted to her.
The moment her gown was discarded, and she’d gasped his name like a plea—
Enough.
“Austin?” Deena’s head rose groggily off his chest, her curls framed her face perfectly, and Austin couldn’t help but admire her even with her tousled hair and puffy eyes.
“Good morning, beautiful.” He grinned at her, and she grunted softly.