Chapter 17 #2
His hands clamp around me, strong and certain, and he lifts me effortlessly from the counter. My breath hitches as his mouth claims mine—hungry, heated—as he carries me toward the stairs. My fingers fist in his hair, hips grinding against him, every step stoking the fire between us higher.
By the time we reach the landing, my legs are trembling. He pauses, pressing me against the wall with a thud, hips grinding into mine. The hard ridge of his arousal makes me gasp into his mouth, heat rushing straight to my core.
“Benjamin…” My voice breaks on his name.
He pulls back to meet my eyes, his breath ragged. “Last chance, Hazel. Tell me to stop, and I will.”
Instead, I cup his face in my hands, brushing my lips across his in a whisper-soft kiss. “Don’t stop.”
That’s all it takes. A low growl rolls from his chest, primal and hungry, as he pushes off the wall and carries me the rest of the way.
He passes the Opal Room, heads for the next one, kicks open the door, strides across the room, and lays me gently on the dark navy sheets of what can only be his bed.
Benjamin’s bed.
My gaze drinks him in—broad shoulders, chest dusted with hair, muscles shifting beneath his skin. Power, leashed and coiled, just for me.
I sit up, tugging at the hem of my pajamas until he covers my hands with his own. “Let me,” he murmurs, voice thick. He peels the fabric over my head slowly, reverently, like unwrapping a gift. His fingers trail down my bare arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
“You’re beautiful,” he rasps before lowering his mouth to mine again. His kiss is hot, consuming.
I arch beneath him, desperate for more, and his mouth trails down my neck, nipping and sucking until my nipples harden against the thin lace of my bra.
He groans at the contact, tugging the straps down with impatient hands before covering one breast with his mouth.
The heat of his tongue makes me cry out, back bowing, fingers threading into his hair.
“Benjamin…” The sound is half plea, half moan.
He looks up and whispers, “Tell me what you want.”
“You. All of you.” I wriggle impatiently, my fingers hooking the waistband of his pants, fumbling with the button until he springs free. Benjamin hisses as I wrap my hands around his shaft—and I freeze.
“I’m sorry. Are my hands too cold?” I loosen my grip, moving to pull away.
“No, don’t stop.” He jerks in my slackened hold, and precum glistens at the tip. My tongue darts out as I stare at him, my thumb brushing his velvety head.
“Goddess, you’re… more than I imagined,” I murmur as I stroke him. His fists grip the sheets beside me, letting me explore.
“I’ll go slow,” he says, stiffening before me. “But if you don’t stop, you’re going to make me come.”
I release my grip, and he peels off my leggings and panties, kissing down my thighs, easing me open with gentle hands.
The first brush of his mouth against my core makes me gasp, my hips bucking.
He chuckles against me—low and wicked—before his tongue dives deeper, stroking and circling until I’m writhing beneath him, clutching the sheets.
Heat builds fast, fierce, coiling tight in my belly. “Benjamin, I’m—”
“Let go for me,” he growls, sliding two thick fingers inside me as his tongue flicks my clit. The combination shatters me. Pleasure crashes over me in waves, my thighs trembling around his head as I cry out his name.
Before I can come down, he’s over me, kissing me hard, letting me taste myself on his lips.
“Are you sure?” he asks again, voice rough with restraint.
“Yes,” I breathe, tugging him closer, wrapping my legs around his hips.
He reaches over and pulls a foil wrapper from the nightstand. With the movement, I catch a glimpse of a tattoo—a giant bear paw spanning his shoulders, the pads shaded in shapes of the forest, mountains, and moon.
“What is that?” I push to my elbows and run a finger along the dark ink contrasting his skin.
He smirks, turning back to face me as he rolls the condom down his shaft. He presses against my entrance, thick and unyielding.
“Do you want this, or to hear the story of my ink?”
“Please, Benjamin,” I moan, all thoughts of his tattoo fading as my hips jerk up, seeking friction.
With a guttural groan, he pushes inside, slow and careful. My nails bite into his shoulders as he buries himself to the hilt, his forehead dropping to mine. He holds still, letting my body adjust to his girth.
“Goddess, Hazel…” His voice hitches on my name. “You feel so damn good.”
He starts to move, slow at first, every stroke deep and deliberate. My body begins to crave more, rocking against him, urging him faster. He growls and obliges, hips snapping harder, deeper.
Every thrust sends sparks shooting through me, the pressure building again—higher and hotter. He kisses me through it, his hand slipping between us to circle my clit. The extra stimulation sends me spiraling, pleasure tearing through me so violently I cry out, shaking beneath him.
Benjamin roars, the sound animalistic and raw, as he follows me over the edge, his body shuddering as he finishes. He collapses against me, chest heaving, still buried deep, his weight a comforting, overwhelming blanket.
For a long moment, we just breathe—tangled together, the world narrowed to the sound of his heart pounding against mine. Then he lifts his head, brushing a kiss to my swollen lips before pulling me to curl into his chest.
“Mine,” he rumbles, tossing the blanket over both of us and kissing the top of my head.
“Yours,” I whisper, clinging to him as the aftershocks fade.