19. Chapter 16 #2
“Except I wouldn’t have gouged Ash’s eyes out just because she went on a date with Ryker.
When you left that apartment to meet Damien, I was so territorial toward you I couldn’t stop myself.
With a lump in my throat, I listened to every word you two said.
I clenched my fists with all your laughs, regretting with all my being that I wasn’t the one who made you laugh.
With every compliment he paid you, I wanted to stab him straight through the heart.
And not because you don’t deserve them—because he was telling the truth. ”
Eli grabs the ends of his hair and yanks hard, like physical pain could replace the emotional one he doesn’t understand. And right now, I’m happy he didn’t get to see how Damien kissed my hand, or my lips, or placed his hand on my knee.
I’m uncertain if anyone in this world has witnessed this charming side of Eli Montgomery. He’s not only the big bad wolf, a member of the bloody Pact, a man for whom killing another human being makes no impression. He also has another side.
“Do you know what the difference is, Eli?” I place my hand on his warm cheek.
“Whatever happened tonight, whatever you heard, I was faking it. Lying for the sake of our mission. There’s nothing about him that truly interests me.
Not his whispered sweet nothings, nor anything else.
I already know it could never be serious.
With him, I don’t experience what I experience with you.
To be completely honest, over the last few weeks, I haven’t stopped hoping for a single moment that you’d be the man who’d want to have that first time with me. You. Not someone else.”
He soaks up each word I say like a sponge, and the storm in his eyes calms down.
Eli takes a step, and the space between us vanishes completely. Our bodies touch. This alone gives me goosebumps.
“I’m fucking honored that it’s me. You don’t know how much,” he whispers in a choked voice, and then his lips meet mine.
Momentarily, I forget everything that has happened in the past few hours. The need to disinfect the wound. Damien and the shooting.
His lips taste like the most delicious sin, the kind you can’t bring yourself to refuse. They’re like heaven and hell all tangled up. This is the third time we've kissed. I have absolutely no doubt that I’m addicted to them. And I have no intention of ever escaping his clutches.
The hunger in every movement of his mouth is obvious. He bites my lip with such force that I taste blood, then quickly eases the pain with his tongue.
At that moment, I lose control of myself and shove my tongue into his mouth. I stroke his palate with it, run it over his teeth. And I can’t stop. It’s the only thing I can think about.
More.
I want more.
I need more.
My heart is racing, trying to break free from its cage. Its beat is thudding so loudly that I can hear it in my ears.
Gently, I run my hands through his hair, letting my fingers glide through the silky threads. My nails scratch his scalp. It’s still not enough for me.
It’s so damn hot. Every scrap of fabric touching my skin feels like a pinch. My desire is to tear all our clothes into pieces.
I lower my hands to Eli’s shoulders and bounce up and down.
This move makes him stop kissing me. A dissatisfied groan escapes my throat. I want to beg, Don’t stop.
“What are you doing?” he asks, confused, and a blush creeps onto my cheeks. They’re burning.
“I don’t know. I’ve seen women in movies jump into men’s arms, with their legs wrapped around them. I was curious about the experience.”
His lips curve into a slight smile, and his eyes gleam with the brilliance of countless stars. While he’s amused, he’s not making fun of me.
The hands on my back slide down every curve. They stop at my ass. And then those huge hands grab my ass tightly and lift me up with such ease, such lightness.
A short squeal escapes my throat, but my body understands exactly what to do. My thighs part before him, and a second later, my legs wrap around his waist.
If I thought his hands were hot, they’re nothing compared to where we’re touching.
“My Raven. That’s how you do it, baby.”
“It was even hotter than in the movies.”
The space between my thighs is sticky with pussy juice. I move my hips shyly, but I feel Eli’s erection, and it drives me crazy. I need his touch. I need him to do anything.
“Please. Take me to the bedroom.”
With his eyes on me, we head deeper into the apartment. He knows where to go. “I’m going to tuck you in. You should rest after this evening.”
“Put me to bed, yes, but not to rest. I don’t need rest.”
“What do you need, Raven?”
I whisper right into his ear, “You.” My reward is a growl that bursts from within him, making Eli’s chest vibrate.
And it’s so hot. That animalistic sound makes me move my hips again, seeking relief.
Fuck. If he doesn’t do something right now, I’m going to burst.
“Don’t say those words to me right now. I’m on the verge of losing control.” I swear his voice is even lower. How is that possible? “I want to take care of you. I want you to feel good. I’m dying just thinking about your eyes as you fall apart into a million pieces.”
A whimper. That’s all I can manage. Hearing those words, I melt like butter.
We walk into my bedroom, and Eli kicks the door shut. Only when he stands by the bed do I lower my legs to the floor.
“And you’ll take care of me. You’ll make me feel good. I know it. I want all of you. Today. Right now.”
His eyes wander over my face like he’s looking for something. An answer?
With a touch of uncertainty, I bite my lower lip.
But what if he changes his mind?
“Zoe—damn it.” Suddenly, he glances down. “I forgot about your knee. We need to take care of that.”
I pull one hand away from his neck, place it under his chin and lift his face. “We’ll deal with that later. I’m fine.”
The muscle in his jaw twitches again. “You can’t imagine what I’d be capable of, what kind of rage I’d feel if you were hurt. I don’t want to think—”
“Don’t think. Not now.” I swallow the lump forming in my throat. This man’s tenderness, protectiveness, and possessiveness are overwhelming. And being among the people Eli cares about most in the world is an honor. I understand that now.
“Are you sure about this? Are you sure you want this?”
The intensity of his gaze is damn arousing. I nod, but he scolds me.
“I want your words, baby. Need to hear it.”
“I want this, and I want you. All of you.”
As the last word slips from my lips, Eli pounces on me. His lips press against mine again. He doesn’t hold back, and it’s so sexy. Plus, he wraps his arms around me as if I were the most precious thing in the world.
I pull him toward me, and we both land on the bed. His weight is on top of me. I love it. A lot.
Without breaking the kiss, I squirm beneath him.
I dig my hands into the muscles of his back and feel a burning need to feel his skin beneath my fingertips.
It’s terrifying. Beyond my control, as if they have a life of their own, they move lower and grab his shirt.
When I finally find myself beneath it, I can’t believe this is happening.
His hand, which had been resting on my cheek until now, slides down to my neck and then lower. I arch my back when his touch is on my breast. My nipples are so sensitive that I can’t stop myself from moaning.
I don’t have a clue what’s happening to me. I’m losing what little control I have left over my body.
Eli squeezes my breast, massages it, and pinches my nipple. It’s still not enough. Because of these damn—
Frustrated, I pull my lips away from him. “Can we get rid of these clothes? I need to feel you.”
“Zoe, you’re going to kill me, baby. I’m trying to be patient here. It’s your first time.”
“I don’t want you to be patient. Or gentle. I won’t fall apart under your touch. Just… Be real.”
He closes his eyes for a second, as though my words were causing him physical pain. “You don’t grasp what you’re asking for. I don’t want to hurt you. I’ve never—”
Realization dawns on me. He’s never fucked a virgin. That’s what he means.
In a way, this is a first for both of us.
“If at any point this gets to be too much for me, I’ll tell you. I promise, Eli.”
He accepts my promise, and I accept it with relief.
With a gentle tug, I pull his T-shirt over his head, the familiar scent of him filling the air; he does the same with my dress.
Without hesitation, I unbutton his pants, then the zipper.
I bend my knees, feeling the smooth fabric of his waistband under the rough grip of my toes.
Slowly, with a subtle friction, my legs slide down his body.
To assist me, he supports his own weight by pushing up on his shoulders.
“I wasn’t aware you were so flexible,” he jokes, kissing my neck.
“I’d be happy to show you just how much.”
A murmur of satisfaction, and then his lips move lower, and my nipple is in his mouth. He sucks hard until it’s burning. Not strong enough to stop what’s happening. More than anything, mixed with pleasure. I arch my body toward him, wanting more.
Will it ever be enough?
I don’t know the answer.
He sucks, kisses, licks, and nibbles. With his other hand, he massages my other breast again. A moan escapes my lips, an involuntary sound I can't suppress. His caresses blend in my mind. Our bodies brush against each other. I’m so hot I could peel my skin off, if only that were possible.
My body is getting slippery with sweat. And not just that. I’m wetter than I’ve ever been in my life.
I’ve touched myself many times, brought myself to orgasm, but never—ever—have I been as turned on as I am right now.
His hard cock is between us, so close, but Eli isn’t doing anything to get it between my thighs.
My fingernails trace the contours of his muscles, from the peaks of his back to the valleys of his arms and forearms. He has such fucking sexy forearms.