Chapter Eighteen #2
He caught her by the waist before she could retreat, his hands settling gently against her back.
‘I don’t think you’re insane,’ he said quietly.
‘I think you’re a warm, affectionate person with a lot of love in your heart.
And if sometimes that needs a physical outlet, there’s nothing wrong with that. ’
‘You really think that?’ Her voice was small, uncertain.
‘Yes,’ he whispered. ‘I do. I really do. And I… I want this too.’
Her lips parted in a nervous smile. ‘And we’re doing this just as friends.’
‘Yeah, nothing fake,’ he murmured. ‘We’ll just be friends who—’
‘Fuck,’ she said with a giggle.
He huffed out a laugh, brushing his thumb along her cheek. ‘You’re definitely not a sweary person.’
‘Just wait until we get between the sheets.’
His heart thudded hard. ‘I’m not sure I can.’
‘Me neither.’
She rose onto her toes, and he bent without thinking.
Their lips met softly at first, tentative, almost unsure.
But within seconds, the restraint broke.
The kiss deepened, slow and hungry, stealing his breath.
Her hands slid up, fingers curling against his jaw, and everything else – the chill, the dark, the whole world – fell away.
They broke apart, breathless, both laughing softly.
‘We’re actually doing this,’ Clara whispered, her forehead resting against his.
‘Absolutely,’ Sam said. ‘And I can’t remember the last time something felt this fun.’
She took his hand, their fingers lacing together, and they started up the track. The air was cool, the sky dusky purple. Every few steps, one of them stopped just long enough for another kiss until a laugh broke through.
When they reached the cottage door, they were both breathless again, caught somewhere between laughter and wonder. Sam fumbled for the key, his fingers shaking as Clara leaned against him, her head tipped back, smiling.
The door swung open with a soft creak. For a heartbeat, they stood just inside, neither speaking nor bothering to put on the light. Then Clara reached up, sliding her hands over his shoulders, and he dipped his head until their lips met again – slower this time, deeper.
By the time they got into the bedroom, most of their clothes had been discarded somewhere on the way.
Sam climbed onto the bed, holding his breath as Clara straddled him.
How beautiful was she? Even in the dark, he could see enough.
He coiled his arms around her waist and pulled her back to him, holding her tightly and returning her kiss with interest. The sound that escaped her as he did so sent lust pummelling to his groin.
She was so hot for this she had him pinned beneath her like she meant business.
If he wanted, he could easily move her; she was so slight.
But the position was very pleasurable, so he stayed put. All he wanted was to keep kissing her.
She seemed to want the same, and they kissed long and deep for some time. Their hands moved over each other, but not yet reaching for anywhere too intimate, though the feel of her naked body in his arms was driving him crazy.
‘You have amazing lips.’ Clara pulled back to breathe, tracing her fingertip over his mouth. ‘So beautiful and expert.’
‘You think?’
Her hair fell forward as she leaned over him, and he reached up and tucked a strand of it behind her ear.
‘I really do. I love the way your beard tickles me. It’s so hot. And I love what you’re doing with your lips and where you’re putting them.’
‘I’ll put them anywhere you like.’ His voice was always a little raspy, but now it was so hoarse and low he wasn’t sure she’d heard him.
‘Anywhere? I can think of a few choice places.’
‘Then let me.’ He shifted under her, taking hold of her and flipping her over so she was on her back, laid bare, and so perfect. He moved on top of her. ‘And you’re sure you want this?’
‘Very sure.’
She trailed her fingertips over his abs down to the waistband of his boxer briefs – the only clothes he’d left on.
‘Wait.’ He covered her wandering hands with one of his own to prevent her from pulling down his briefs.
With his other hand, he cupped her face, dipping in to kiss her softly.
She sighed into the kiss, breaking her hands free and reaching up to cling around his neck.
‘Come here.’ He drew her close, and her nipples rubbed against his skin.
He stroked along her sides, and down her back, his fingers tracing her waist, feeling her soft skin against the rough hairs on his chest. His slightly hesitant fingers swept further down to her backside, and she ground against him as if he had pulled her in with groping hands.
She broke their kiss with a gasp, breathing, ‘Please, Sam,’ against his lips, reaching once more to remove his briefs.
This time, he let her tug them down, then shuffled around to kick them off.
Before he could return to her, she shifted, so she was sitting on the edge of the bed, and she ran her hand up his thigh, perilously close to touching him where she really couldn’t.
Not yet. If she put her hands on him now, he wasn’t sure what might happen.
If she used her mouth, it would be all over.
The thought thrilled and terrified him in equal measure.
Instead of allowing it, he gently nudged her back on the bed and knelt between her parted legs. He tugged her down to capture her mouth, then her neck, her chest, her stomach, encouraging her to lie back on the soft sheets.
‘I need you,’ she groaned. ‘Now.’
He dipped his head to kiss the spot between her legs he hoped would please her.
‘Oh my god.’ She let out a squeal. ‘You have the most amazing mouth… And your beard… Oh god, you’re killing me.
’ Soon she was bucking up against his face, and he worked harder with both his lips and his fingers as her moans intensified, sounding almost pained as she sought her climax.
She groaned long and luxuriantly, tugging painfully at his hair as she urged him on, then let out a shivering cry that made him smile.
He rose up to look at her, his eyes more accustomed to the dark. Her head was thrown back, eyes closed and panting through aftershocks of pleasure. He pressed a kiss to the side of her neck.
‘You’re a beautiful woman.’ He breathed the words against her skin, punctuating them with kisses to her soft skin. ‘Inside and out.’
In a flash of movement, she sat up and pushed him over, so he was on his back again. ‘That was hot as sin, but I’m so not done with you.’ She pressed her hands to his shoulders, pinning him down. Her breasts hung forward, rosy and perfectly shaped, teasing him.
He had no desire to deny her anything. ‘Then you need to let me be entirely unsexy and wholly protected.’
‘Oh, hell. How could I forget after all the prep I did?’ She clambered off him and ducked down in the vague half-light, searching for something on the floor.
Sam lay back, breathing heavily and listening.
When she returned, she’d already started opening the packet.
‘Allow me?’ she asked. ‘Or would you rather do it yourself?’
‘I…’ What a question. ‘You go ahead.’
As she touched him, he inhaled, not letting the air out until she was done. But she wasn’t finished Slowly, she lowered her lips to him. ‘Oh, god.’ He closed his eyes. ‘Clara, please. That’s good, but if you want more from me, then you’ll have to stop.’
She giggled, then looked up, smiling. ‘Ooh, I’m not sure what I’d rather have now.’
‘Come back to me.’ He took hold of her hand and tugged her closer. She straddled him again, this time positioning herself to take him. He was determined not to cause her any hurt and so slowly pushed inside her, then paused. She bent over and kissed him, lowering herself onto him as she did.
‘I want this,’ she said. ‘I really want it.’
‘Me too.’ He breathed hard, aware they were now joined together. The tight heat of her engulfed him, and he moved inside her, slowly at first, then again and again. It felt so good, and she was moving with him, moaning and smiling.
‘Yes.’ She moved herself faster. ‘I love this. You have such a hot body. I can’t believe how fit you are.’
He let out a little laugh, matching her movements, but he was still trapped under her, and he needed more freedom.
She looked like she was about to come undone again, and he sat up, moving closer and drawing her into him, so they were face to face, so intimate and close.
He kept thrusting, but now he could kiss her too, and hold her, though it was breathy and frenzied.
His combined efforts did the trick, and she convulsed around him.
‘Oh god, Sam.’ She cried out. ‘I love you so much. So much. This is too much… Oh god.’
The words pushed him over the edge too, and he found his own release deep and satisfying.
His breathing and heartbeat became ragged, and he rested his forehead in the crook of her neck.
He wanted to tell her he loved her too. That was what he felt right here, right now, though he knew better.
It was lust and happy hormones talking. This was just friends having some fun.
And it had worked wonders. His body felt more sated than it had in years.
Maybe ever. He closed his eyes, soaking in the moment, wanting it to last as long as possible.