23. Chapter 23 #3
“Good.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why is that good?”
“Because I don’t want this to erase it.”
For a second, she only looked at me.
Then her fingers loosened against my shirt.
“That may be the healthiest thing you’ve ever said.”
“Don’t sound so surprised.”
“I’ve read your file.”
I stared at her.
Caroline smiled.
A real one.
The first since I walked through the door.
Something inside my chest gave way.
I kissed her again.
Slower this time.
Her arms slid around my neck as I backed her carefully against the edge of the kitchen table. My mouth moved from hers to her jaw, then stopped when her fingers tightened in my hair.
“Colt.”
I lifted my head.
Her cheeks were flushed. Her breathing uneven.
The anger had not disappeared.
Neither had the fear.
But something else had risen between us, hot and familiar and sharpened by every truth we had finally dragged into the open.
I rested my forehead against hers.
“Tell me what you want.”
Caroline’s gaze held mine.
For the first time in two weeks, I didn’t anticipate the answer.
Didn’t decide for her.
Didn’t try to control what came next.
I waited.
Her arms slid around my neck as I backed her carefully against the edge of the kitchen table. My mouth moved from hers to her jaw, then stopped when her fingers tightened in my hair.
“Colt.”
I lifted my head.
Her cheeks were flushed. Her breathing uneven.
The anger had not disappeared.
Neither had the fear.
But something else had risen between us, hot and familiar and sharpened by every truth we had finally dragged into the open.
I rested my forehead against hers.
“Tell me what you want.”
Caroline’s gaze held mine.
For the first time in two weeks, I didn’t anticipate the answer.
Didn’t decide for her.
Didn’t try to control what came next.
I waited.
Her voice was a ragged whisper, thick with need.
“Taste me,” she said, her fingers digging into my scalp. “Then… claim me.”
A shudder ran through me, half surprise, half fierce possession. I lowered my head, brushing my lips over the soft skin of her throat before sliding down to the valley between her breasts. I could feel the rapid hammer of her heart against my chest, the way her breath hitched each time I lingered.
I pushed the fabric of her shirt up, exposing the smooth curve of her belly, the dip of her navel, and the lace of her panties stretched tight over the heat of her sex.
I hooked my thumbs beneath the waistband and peeled them down, letting them fall to her ankles.
She lifted her hips just enough to help me, and the sight of her glistening folds, already slick with her own arousal, made my cock throb painfully against the denim of my jeans.
I leaned in, inhaling the sweet, musky scent of her, and let my tongue slip out.
I flicked it over her clit first, a light, teasing touch that made her gasp and arch her back.
Then I dragged the flat of my tongue slowly from the base of her pussy up to her hood, savoring the salty sweetness of her juices.
I sucked gently on her clit, feeling it swell under my lips, while my fingers slipped inside her, two at first, curling to press against the spongy spot that made her walls clamp around me.
She moaned, a low, broken sound that vibrated through the table and into my bones.
I increased the pressure, sucking harder, my tongue swirling rapid circles over her nub as I pumped my fingers in and out, each thrust deep enough to brush her cervix.
Her thighs trembled, shaking against my shoulders, and she began to grind her hips against my hand, seeking more.
“Fuck,” she breathed, her voice raw. “More.”
I obliged, adding a third finger, stretching her just enough to feel the delicious resistance before easing back in.
Her walls clenched around me, hot and velvety, and I could feel every pulse of her arousal as she neared the edge.
I lowered my mouth again, this time sealing my lips over her clit and sucking with relentless vigor while my fingers drove into her with a steady, relentless rhythm.
Her back arched off the table, a hoarse cry tearing from her throat as she came.
Her juices flooded my hand, slick and warm, and her body shuddered in waves that made her nails dig into my shoulders.
I didn’t let up, riding the aftershocks with slow, deliberate strokes, drawing out every last tremor until her breathing began to even out.
When the last shudder faded, I lifted my head, my lips glistening with her essence. I looked into her eyes, seeing the dazed satisfaction mixed with a fierce, hungry fire.
“Your turn,” I growled, my voice low and rough.
I shoved my jeans down, freeing my erection, which stood thick and veined, precum beading at the tip.
I gripped her hips, pulling her forward until her ass rested against the edge of the table, her legs spread wide, inviting.
I positioned myself at her entrance, feeling the heat radiate from her pussy, the slickness coating my cock as I rubbed the head against her folds.
She moaned again, a sound that was half plea, half command.
“Claim me,” she whispered, her fingers digging into my forearms.
I thrust forward, burying myself to the hilt in one smooth, powerful stroke.
Her walls gripped me tight, hot and clutching, and a sharp gasp escaped her lips as I filled her completely.
I paused for a heartbeat, feeling the way her body shuddered around me, then began to move—long, deep strokes that pulled almost all the way out before driving back in, each thrust eliciting a choked moan from her.
The table creaked beneath us, the wood scraping against the floor with each vigorous pump.
I leaned over her, bracing my arms on either side of her head, and lowered my mouth to hers, kissing her fiercely as I fucked her.
Our tongues tangled, swallowing each other’s breaths, while my hips pistoned relentlessly, the sound of flesh meeting flesh filling the kitchen.
Her legs wrapped around my waist, ankles locking behind my back, pulling me deeper with each thrust. I could feel her inner muscles fluttering, trying to milk me, and I responded by grinding my pelvis against her clit with every inward stroke, the friction sending sparks of pleasure through both of us.
“Fuck, Colt… yes… harder,” she panted, her voice breaking against my ear.
I obliged, increasing the tempo, my balls slapping against her ass with each powerful thrust. The pressure built in my gut, a tight coil threatening to snap. I could see the pleasure painting her face—eyes half-lidded, lips parted, a sheen of sweat glistening on her forehead.
With a guttural groan, I felt the first wave of my orgasm surge through me.
I thrust one last time, burying myself deep as I came, hot ropes of semen flooding her pussy, filling her with my release.
She cried out, her own climax crashing over her at the same moment, her inner walls clamping down on my cock in a violent, milking grip that drew every last drop from me.
We stayed locked together, our bodies trembling, chests heaving as the aftershocks rippled through us. I rested my forehead against hers, both of us gasping, our hearts pounding in sync.
I slowly withdrew, feeling a slick mixture of our juices coat my shaft as I slipped out. I collapsed beside her on the table, our limbs tangled, sweat cooling on our skin.
She turned her head to look at me, a soft, satisfied smile playing on her lips.