Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
No one had ever picked Charlie up like she weighed nothing, like she was something dainty.
As Ben carried her through the doorway into her bedroom, she should have felt self-conscious—she was tall, strong, probably bigger than any other woman he'd been with. His arms flexed around her body and he looked at her like she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
Ben laid her gently on the bed, his weight settling over her, careful not to crush her even though she wanted to feel all of him. He kissed her slowly, thoroughly, like they had all the time in the world.
“Before we go any further—are you on birth control? I have condoms if we need them, but I need to know what you want.”
The question cut through the haze of desire just enough to ground her. “I’m on birth control. And I haven't been with anyone in over two years.”
“Neither have I.” Ben kissed her. “So…we're good?”
Charlie nodded. “We're good.”
She listened to his heavy groan. “Can I touch you?” His voice was rough, strained.
“Yes. God, yes.”
“Tell me what you want,” he murmured against her mouth. “Tell me what you need, Princess.”
Charlie's breath caught. Princess. He kept calling her that, and it sent heat straight through her core every time. She'd never been anyone's princess. Never been soft or delicate or treated like something to cherish.
“You,” she managed. “I want you.”
“You have me.” Ben's hands found the hem of her t-shirt. “May I?”
She nodded, lifting her arms so he could pull it off. Her sports bra followed, and then she was bare from the waist up, her breathing quick and shallow.
Ben sat back on his heels, just looking at her. Charlie fought the urge to cover herself. Old insecurities rose up—too tall, too muscular, not feminine enough—but the expression on Ben's face stopped those thoughts cold.
Wonder. That's what she saw there. Pure wonder.
“Beautiful,” he whispered. “So damn beautiful, Charlie.”
He leaned down and kissed her between her breasts, right over her racing heart. Then his mouth found her nipple and Charlie arched off the bed with a gasp.
“Sensitive,” Ben said with obvious satisfaction. “Good to know.”
His tongue circled her tight nipple, then he sucked gently. Heat shot straight to her core and she fisted her hands in his hair.
“Ben—”
“I've got you.” His hand slid down to the waistband of her tactical pants. “These need to come off.”
Charlie helped him, lifting her ass, then shimmying out of her pants and underwear in one motion. Before she could second-guess or talk herself out of the best night of her life.
She was naked on her bed with Ben Massey looking down at her like she was a feast and he was starving.
Ben's warm, callused hands skimmed up her thighs. He traced patterns on her skin, taking his time, exploring. When his fingers brushed the crease where her leg met her body, Charlie whimpered.
“Do you need something?” That teasing edge in his voice made her even wetter.
“You know what I need.”
“Tell me anyway. I want to hear you say it.”
Charlie's face flushed hot. She'd never been good at this—asking for what she wanted, being vulnerable, admitting need of any kind. But Ben was looking at her with such warmth, such patience, such desire that the words tumbled out.
“I want you to touch me. Please. Everywhere.”
He brushed his hand lightly across her belly, making her insides flutter. “So soft, so delicate,” he breathed into her ear.
I believe him, she realized with a great deal of astonishment.
“Does my lady like this?”
“Oh, yes.” Charlie’s voice quavered.
Is that me speaking?
He stroked her belly again, feather-light. “Now, spread your legs for me, Princess.”
She did, and he gently bent her knees.
“I’m going to spread them wider. Is that all right?”
Charlie nodded and he spread her farther, until she felt entirely exposed.
“That’s it. This is going to make you feel so good.” Before he touched her, Charlie watched Ben study her body, his eyes dark with desire. She felt herself swell and grow wet under his gaze. She’d never been so turned on.
“That’s it. That’s my girl. Keep your legs spread wide for me.” Ben slid his fingers up through her folds to her clit. She closed her eyes and bucked against his hand. His gruff laugh only turned her on more.
Then he settled between her thighs, his massive shoulders keeping her legs spread.
“Perfect.” His breath ghosted over her wet heat and Charlie shivered. “Now relax, Princess. Let me take care of you.”
His first touch was feather-light—just his fingertips tracing through her folds, learning her shape. Charlie bit back a moan.
“Don't hold back,” Ben said. “I want to hear every sound you make.”
Then his mouth was on her and Charlie stopped thinking entirely.
Ben’s tongue circled her clit, then flicked directly over it.
“You taste so good.”
When she gasped and bucked her hips, he did it again, harder.
“That's it,” he murmured against her. “Show me what you like, princess.”
He slid one finger inside her and Charlie cried out.
“Do you know how hard that makes me to hear you?” He ground against her mattress, which made her wetter. When he crooked his finger to find that perfect spot inside her she saw stars.
“More,” she gasped. “Please, Ben, that feels amazing.”
He added a second finger, stretching her while his tongue worked magic on her clit. The dual sensation overwhelmed her. Her pleasure built and built until she was right on the verge of coming.
Ben must have sensed how close she was because he slowed down, and that was the sweetest torture she’d ever known.
“Not so fast, Princess.” He gave her one long, slow lick. “I want you on the edge until you can’t take any more.”
Charlie closed her eyes as her head fell back against the pillow. She’d never felt so hungry. Ben sped up gradually, bringing her close again, then slowed and she bit her bottom lip. She opened her eyes when he groaned. He looked up at her, his eyes dark and hot.
“Come for me, Princess. Want to feel you come on my fingers.”
That was all it took. Charlie went over the edge into ecstasy. Ben stroked her through it, his fingers gentling but not stopping until she collapsed back against the mattress, trembling and utterly satisfied.
“Holy shit,” Charlie breathed.
Ben crawled up her body, pressing kisses along the way. When he reached her mouth he kissed her deeply, and she could taste herself on his tongue.
“You're still dressed,” she pointed out, tugging at his shirt.
“Easily fixed.” Ben sat up and pulled his shirt over his head in one smooth motion.
Charlie's mouth went dry.
All that muscle, all that strength, and the way he was looking at her like she was the only thing in the world that mattered.
She reached up and traced the planes of his chest, the ridges of his abs. When her fingers found the waistband of his pants, she looked up at him. “Can I?”
“Please.”
Charlie undid his belt, then his button and zipper. She pulled his pants and boxer briefs down together like he’d done to her. His cock sprang free, thick and hard and already wet at the tip.
Oh.
“Too much?” Ben's voice held uncertainty for the first time.
“No. Not at all. My turn to touch you.” Charlie wrapped her hand around the shaft of his cock—he was hot and heavy in her palm. “You’re perfect.” She stroked him once, twice, and Ben groaned deep in his chest.
“Charlie, if you keep doing that, this is going to be over embarrassingly fast.”
“Can't have that.” But she stroked him one more time just to watch his eyes flutter closed.
Ben caught her wrist and stilled her hand. He reached between them and circled her entrance with one finger, teasing. “Already so wet again. You want this, Princess?”
“Yes. God, yes.”
He pushed inside her—one finger, then two—and when he found that perfect spot again she couldn't hold back her moan.
“That's it. Don't hide from me. Show me what you like.” Ben's thumb found her clit while his fingers worked inside her. “I want to watch you come apart for me again.”
The pleasure built faster this time, sharper, and Ben wasn’t slowing down. Charlie grabbed his shoulders, needing something to hold onto as he drove her higher and higher.
“Ben, I'm—”
“I know. I've got you.” He increased the pressure and speed until Charlie climaxed for the second time, crying out his name as she clenched around his fingers.
When she came back to herself, Ben was kissing her softly, murmuring praise against her lips. “So beautiful. So perfect. My perfect princess.”
Charlie pulled him down for a deeper kiss, wrapping her legs around his waist. She could feel his cock pressing against her, hot and hard.
“I need you inside me,” she whispered. “Please, Ben.”
“Are you sure? We can wait—”
“I'm sure.” She looked into his eyes. “I want this. I want you.”
Ben positioned himself at her entrance, the head of his cock pressing against her. “Tell me if it's too much or if I’m being too rough.”
She nodded. No man had ever asked her before. No man had treated her with such attentiveness, afraid he’d hurt her.
“Tell me if you need me to stop.”
“I won't.” Charlie tilted her hips, trying to take him in. “Please.”
He pushed inside her slowly, giving her time to adjust. The stretch was intense—he was bigger than anyone she'd been with before. But it felt right. Like her body had been waiting for this, for him.
“Okay?” Ben's voice was strained, his muscles trembling with the effort of holding still.
“More than okay.” Charlie lifted her hips, taking him deeper. “Don't you hold back.”
Ben groaned and thrust the rest of the way in, seating himself fully inside her. They both gasped at the sensation.
“So tight,” Ben breathed. “So damn good. Fuck, Charlie.”
He started to move—slow, deep strokes that rebuilt her heat with every thrust. Every withdrawal left her aching for him to return.
Charlie wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs around his waist, holding him as close as possible. She'd never felt this connected to anyone, never felt this safe while being so completely vulnerable.
“Harder,” she whispered. “I won't break.”
Ben's control snapped. He thrust harder, faster, one hand gripping her hip while the other braced beside her head. The sound of skin on skin filled the room, mixed with their harsh breathing and Charlie's increasingly desperate moans.
“Touch yourself,” Ben commanded. “Want to feel you come around my cock.”
Charlie slid her hand between their bodies and found her clit. The added stimulation was almost too much—she was so sensitive, so overwhelmed.
“That's it, Princess. Come for me one more time.”
The orgasm hit her like a tidal wave. Charlie cried out, her body clenching around Ben's cock as pleasure whited out everything else. She felt Ben's rhythm falter, felt him thrust deep one final time as he groaned her name.
They collapsed together, both shaking, both gasping for breath. Ben stayed inside her and rolled to the side, immediately pulling Charlie against his chest.
She'd never felt safer in her life.
“You okay?” Ben sounded concerned.
Charlie nodded against his chest. “More than okay.”
“Good.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Because I'm never letting you go.”
And for the first time in her life, Charlie believed those words.
“Good,” she whispered. “Because, Ben? I want you to stay.”