Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I woke up with the taste of peat and moss on my tongue. My throat was dry and I had a slight headache.
It took me a moment to realize that I was no longer on the couch, but in Stratton’s bed, and that the tartan throw was covering me.
I rolled over and looked around the cabin.
Stratton was gone.
I slowly sat up and reached for my cell phone, which he must’ve put on the nightstand.
It was just past five. I’d slept for at least two hours. Passed out, actually.
I had a few missed texts from Arden. No messages from Stratton.
But then again, we’d never exchanged phone numbers. I noticed the sheet of scrap paper with scribblings on it.
Went to pick up dinner. Feel free to watch TV or snoop through my sock drawer.
I smiled.
He hadn’t even signed it, but he did leave his phone number. I added it to my phone immediately, and because I was completely stupid, I put his name in as Husband.
My phone rang, startling me into dropping it onto the bed.
With a sigh, I picked it back up and answered it.
“Hey, I was just about to call you,” I said to Arden.
“You didn’t answer my texts and I was starting to get worried.”
“I’m sorry. I fell asleep and just woke up.”
“Fell asleep? Fell asleep where?”
“Stratton’s bed.”
“He tuckered you out, huh? Finally, someone was up to the challenge.”
I sniggered. “No. He brought me back to his cabin. I had two shots of whiskey and passed out. He left to pick up dinner and I’m alone in his place.”
“You poke around yet?”
“No.”
“You gonna?”
“Maybe.”
“Stay on the phone with me,” she said. “And tell me what’s in his medicine cabinet. Oh, and look underneath the bathroom sink.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Just do it,” she commanded.
“Bossy.” I climbed off the bed and padded to the bathroom and immediately opened the cabinet under the sink. “Toilet paper, thing of mouthwash, an unopened box of jumbo-sized—”
“Jumbo? I’m so happy for you.”
I snorted. “Tell me why you wanted me to look under the sink.”
“No tampon boxes?”
“Nope.”
“Then he really is single.”
“Oh,” I said quietly.
I closed the cabinet door and sank down onto the floor and leaned against the wall.
“So, you talked to Ethan, yes?”
“Yeah.” I gave her a quick update and then fell silent.
“How are you feeling about all of it?”
“Okay, I think.”
“Not sad?”
“Pissed. But not sad,” I said.
“Pissed at Ethan?”
“No. At myself. For begging for scraps for so long. Anyway, it’s over now. I’m focusing on the future.”
“And the jumbo-sized box of condoms?”
A key in the door alerted me to Stratton’s return.
“Gotta go. Talk soon.”
I scrambled off the floor of the bathroom just as Stratton entered the cabin, carrying brown takeout bags.
He smiled when he saw me. “You’re awake.”
“Yeah.” I smiled sheepishly. “Sorry I passed out.”
“All good.” He raised the bags. “I got barbecue. Hope that’s okay?”
“Better than okay.”
I followed him to the kitchen and started opening cabinets in search of plates. When I found them, I grabbed two and turned around to find him watching me again.
“You’re making yourself at home,” he said softly. “I like that.”
I swallowed. “Something to drink?”
“Water’s fine.”
Nodding, I turned around again to find cups.
“You been awake long?” he asked as he removed the Styrofoam containers and began setting them on the counter.
“No. Not long.”
“So, you didn’t snoop in my sock drawer yet?”
“No, didn’t get that far. But I did look under the bathroom sink.” I raised my eyebrows at him.
“Found something interesting, did you?” His gaze dropped to my mouth.
“Very interesting,” I murmured as I set the cups down onto the counter.
He pushed the boxes of takeout toward the counter wall and stepped back.
And before I knew it, I was striding toward him to stand in front of him. He lifted me into his arms. My legs wrapped around him and our lips fused together.
Desperate, needy, all consuming.
“Food?” he rasped.
“Overrated.”
“Bed?”
“Immediately.”
He carried me to his bed and gently lay me down in the center before he covered me with his large, muscular body. Our lips found one another again. We tugged on clothes. Buttons snapped. Shirts ripped.
“Good god, woman,” he muttered, his fingers teasing the pink bows on my white lacy panties. “You’re like a present.”
“This is just the wrapping.” I placed an arm around his bare shoulders and pulled him down toward me again.
His fingers stroked me over the fabric that had grown damp. He toyed and teased and despite the inferno blazing between us, he slowed down the pace between us.
But I didn’t want slow.
I wanted fast. I wanted heat. I wanted him.
I wanted him now.
“Stratton,” I whispered.
“You’re going to scream my name. You’re going to scream it loud and your nails are going to rake down my back. I want you to draw blood. I want you feral.”
I shivered.
“But first,” he whispered, gently pulling down my panties until I was bare before him.
He slid down the bed and spread my legs. Leaning down, he grazed his tongue against my cleft, causing me to shudder.
“Sensitive. I like that.” He licked me again, playing with my flesh, teasing me until I was writhing and clenching my hands.
“Please,” I begged, my voice breaking.
“Please what?” he growled.
“Please, make me come.”
“Your wish is my command.”
He ate me with verve, like a prisoner on death row savoring his last meal. He didn’t stop. Not even when I cried out and bucked against his mouth, grinding my body against his face.
I exploded, shaking and quivering, screaming incoherently.
And when he lifted his gaze to mine, I saw the evidence of my pleasure on his lips. His cheeks were flushed, and his blue eyes were dark with unleashed desire.
He kissed the inside of my thigh and then pushed up off the floor. I watched him walk to the bathroom and open the sink cabinet doors.
Stratton returned with the box of condoms. He opened it and pulled out a foil square. Holding it between his teeth, he quickly shucked his army green boxer briefs.
My breath caught in my throat when I saw his straining erection. He grasped himself in hand and gave himself a few languid pumps. A bead of precum gathered on his tip and my mouth watered at the thought of tasting him.
He ripped the condom wrapper with his teeth and then quickly sheathed himself. Stratton kneeled onto the bed and angled himself at my entrance. He slid the tip in and my body opened fully.
He glided all the way in, to the hilt.
I gasped at the fullness of him inside me.
“Are you okay?” he whispered.
I nodded and reached for him, wrapping my arms around his neck.
Our bodies were slick with sweat and our mouths met in a fiery kiss.
He pulled out a bit and then thrust forward. Shockwaves rolled through me.
“Wrap your legs around me,” he commanded, his hand sliding underneath my thigh to squeeze my flesh.
Our rhythm was primal, instinctual.
Perfect.
It felt like we were born for one another.
He growled as he thrust, his hand grazing up from my thigh to gently clasp my breast in his large hand.
I dug my nails into his shoulder blades.
He threw his head back and clenched his jaw.
God, he was magnificent.
And all I wanted to do was make him lose control.
My back bowed and the place between my legs was wet. I was full and every movement caused sparks of pleasure to crackle.
And then Stratton changed the angle of his pelvis and I was lost. A warm glow of pleasure spread through my belly until another orgasm ripped through my body.
Stratton’s thrusts increased. He drilled into me, his mouth finding mine as he came.
Energy spent, he gathered me in his arms and held me as our breaths slowed.
I was a collapsing star, being reborn into something new.
My fingers glided across his shoulders and he rolled us onto our sides so he wouldn’t crush me. He was still inside of me.
I clenched, aftershocks trembling between my legs.
“Stratton?” I whispered.
His hands played with my hair. “Hmm?”
“Is it always going to be like this?”
He pulled back just enough so he could look into my eyes. His smile was warm. “No, it’s not always going to be like this.” He kissed my forehead. My nose. My lips. “It’s going to get even better.”