Chapter 40
RACHEL
Could it really be this easy? To find love again and be so happy?
I’ll be honest; rekindling my love life was the very last thing on my mind when Craig and I split up. But then Justin Enders saved me from myself that night in the pub and then came to my rescue time and time again in the three months after.
The part of me that’s become so strong and independent over the past decade or so of my life has reared her determined little head a few times, questioning whether this is the softer, needier side of me giving in to what she’s wanted for so long or whether this is the real deal. If what Justin gives me is truly the perfect balance of everything I’ve ever wanted, wrapped up in one handsome, selfless package.
I believe that he is.
I don’t know what I did to deserve him, but I’ll be damned if I’m not going to jump head and heart first into this opportunity.
Losing my mom at twelve taught me so many things, many of which I’m still figuring out, but I do know this:
Life is too short to live in fear.
And when something—or someone—comes along that makes you feel safe in the storm of your own chaos, you hold on tight.
“I’m ready for you.” Justin appears in the doorway that separates the main part of the cabin from the bedrooms. He’s shirtless and wearing jogging pants, and when he leans into the wooden frame, all sexy in his tanned and muscled glory, with that mischievous glint in his eye, I swear I swoon.
“What are you up to?” Tipping my head, I get to my feet from the sofa where I’ve been listening to the crickets and the frogs and the subtle whoosh of waves in the distance.
When we returned from dinner, he gave me firm instructions to remain in the main part of the cabin while he went to the bedroom to apparently prepare. For what, I don’t know.
“You’ll see.” He holds a hand out to me as I approach.
“I feel overdressed compared to you.” I’m still in the navy dress I’ve been saving just for him.
“I’ll take care of that,” he says softly as he pulls me close, his free hand sliding back into my hair as he leans in for a kiss. “In fact, before we get started, you should know there are a couple of rules.”
“Rules?” I shiver when his lips trail to my jaw and then down the column of my neck.
“Mm-hmm.” He nips at my collarbone, and goose bumps lift on my skin. “The first rule is that tonight is about you. The second is that I’m in charge.”
“I like the sound of that, but what if—”
He presses a finger to my lips, his eyes sparkling with sultry amusement. “Hush, Sunny. Just let me do my thing.”
I smile against his finger. “Okay, then.”
“Good girl.” He winks and then, fingers tangled with mine, leads me toward the master bedroom.
The scent of sandalwood and something fruity hits my nose before we step into the room, which is aglow with candles. On the dressers and the nightstands, even a couple on the floor leading to the bathroom.
“Wow. You’ve been busy.”
He turns and walks backward toward the bathroom, still tugging me along. “I have a confession to make,” he says, eyes twinkling with a boyish gleam. “I’ve been fantasizing about you, naked and wet and in the bathtub, ever since I caught you taking a bath that one night.”
“Oh, really?” I chuckle softly and then gasp when I see what else he’s done.
The enormous tub is full of bubbles, and there are more candles on the vanity, the windowsills, and the ledge around the bath. Red rose petals are strewn across the floor, leading to a massive bouquet on a wooden chair in the corner, and the soft chords of sexy, indie rock play from his phone. There’s even a tray of chocolate-covered strawberries by the tub. And Prince.
“Oh my god…” I press a hand to my chest, which suddenly aches with excitement and a little overwhelm. He did all of this. For me.
“I hope you don’t mind that I went into your bag, but I had a feeling you might’ve brought your friend along. Just in case.”
I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. I’m just so… wow. No one’s ever done anything like this for me before. And no one’s ever gone out of their way to plan an entire weekend like this for me.
He shifts in close and cups my face. “I love you, Sunny, and I want to show you how much I mean that.”
“You already have. You’ve…” I break off with a heavy sigh. I don’t need to say the words. He knows what he’s done, and maybe it makes me a little greedy, but I want what he’s offering. I want all of it and all of him.
“Let’s get you out of this dress.” He shifts around me and gently lifts my hair, but before he goes for the zipper, he presses slow, wet kisses along the back of my neck and my shoulders.
Heat pools instantly in my lower belly, and I want so badly to squeeze my thighs together to quench the ache. But I also don’t want him to know how easily he’s turned me on. If I have to play by his rules tonight, making him work for it is the least I can do.
“Thank you for saving this dress for me,” he murmurs. “You look fucking stunning, but I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been thinking about getting you out of it all night.”
I shiver at his words and the warm breath on my skin. “What if I told you I bought it with you in mind?”
He gives a low laugh as he smooths his free hand over my hip and to my belly, inching lower toward the hem of the dress in what feels like slow motion.
I bite my lip to keep from moaning in anticipation.
“I’d say you’re a smart woman, but we already knew that, didn’t we?” He sinks his teeth into the swell of muscle between my neck and shoulder as he slips his hand beneath my dress. He wastes no time in finding my panties and cupping me over the fabric. “Always so wet for me, aren’t you, Sunny?”
“You’re not the only one who’s been waiting for this dress to hit the floor.”
With another husky chuckle, he abandons my panties and quickly unzips the dress before sliding it off my shoulders and letting it fall from my body.
He groans instantly, his big, calloused hands coasting down my arms and to my hips so he can jerk me back against him, the hard length of his erection undeniable against my nearly bare ass.
“Sexy lingerie, too, huh? Seems I’m not the only one who had plans for tonight.”
“You’ve brought out the bolder side of me. What can I say?”
“You can say you’ll let me strip you out of it so we can get in that bathtub and live out all my fantasies.”
I tip my head back and moan as one of his hands finds its way to my breast, his thumb stroking over my nipple. “Your rules tonight, handsome. You want me in that tub, you better get me there.”
The growl that vibrates in his chest is damn near feral as he tugs down my thong, curses the fact that I can’t wear the heels in the water, and then relieves me of my bra before he pushes down his joggers.
I turn to look, of course, and bite my lip at the sight of his thick, proud cock jutting from the dark, trimmed hair between his legs. His balls are full and heavy looking, and I squirm at the thought of how good he’s going to feel when he buries himself inside me. And that close, delicious contact of his body and mine that makes me feel like we’re truly one.
With a hand around the back of my neck, he lowers his mouth to mine. His tongue gently coaxes mine in a slow, sensual dance as he backs toward the tub and helps me in.
The water is the perfect temperature, and the tub is even bigger than mine at home. When Justin lowers into the water behind me and pulls me onto his lap, there’s more than enough room for both of us.
“How’s the temperature?” he murmurs against my shoulder. Beneath the water, he glides his hands from my hips to my stomach and then up to my breasts.
“Amazing. This bubble bath is amazing. Smells good and it’s so silky.”
“Imagine how soft our skin will be when we crawl into bed later.”
Leaning my head back against his shoulder, I sigh. “Feels pretty good now.” And how am I already so relaxed?
“Champagne?” He lifts a glass from the tray and offers it to me.
“Thank you. You really thought of everything, didn’t you?”
He gives a soft chuckle, his chest vibrating against my back. “Like I said, I’ve been fantasizing for a while.”
“Tell me about those fantasies.” I take a small sip of sweet, bubbly liquid.
His lips are on my shoulder again, then my neck. Hot and wet, sending heat pooling in my core. “I could show you instead.”
Goose bumps wash over my skin. “I like the sound of that.”
Rather than caressing me again like I expect, he dries his hands using a towel on the ledge and picks up a paperback I hadn’t even noticed. I recognize the cover immediately, and a thrum of excitement pulses through me. He brought along a steamy romance novel?
“Where on earth did you get that?”
“The bookstore.” He holds the book in front of me like it’s no big deal and opens to a dog-eared page. “I imagined you relaxing in the bath, enjoying a little lady porn with your toy.”
I bite my lip as my cheeks heat. “Are you sure you haven’t been looking in my windows?”
He lets out a wry laugh. “So I was right.”
“Sorta. On occasion, I’ve been known to listen to spicy scenes from audiobooks while I, uh, take care of business.”
“Ah, perfect.” He tips his head toward Prince. “I’ll read and you play.”
A zing of excitement rushes through me. Dirty words and his voice? Yes, please. Thank god for waterproof toys.
With shaky fingers, I grasp my vibrator. Then I shift on his lap, so I have room to let my legs fall apart. That movement alone has his cock twitching against my ass. Instantly, all I can think about is how easy it would be to lift, impale myself on him, and make love just like this. No condom, no cares.
Soon enough.
Gently clearing his throat, he begins to read, and I push my hesitation aside. With my toy set to the speed I like best, I get comfortable and close my eyes.
The first touch makes me jolt a little, and behind me, Justin grows harder.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he reads. “Do you have any idea how many times I’ve gone home and jerked off, thinking about you? I’ve come to images of you in every possible position. On your knees for me, your cheeks pink and your eyes watering from sucking me off. The sight of my cum on your tongue and dripping from your pussy after you let me fuck you and fill you up.”
I bite back a moan as the pleasure builds and the picture he paints becomes clear in my mind. I know what happens next. I’ve read the book more than once. Even so, something about him reading it makes it feel new and even naughtier.
“Will you let me do that?” he continues on, the rasp in his voice giving him away. This is turning him on as much as it is me. “I want to make you mine in every way you’ll let me, baby.”
Yes. The word is on the tip of my tongue. I know it would be risky, but I want to feel him like that so damn bad.
“I’d let you.” The concession is a greedy pant as blood pulses between my legs, my orgasm already so close. I’ve gotten good at making myself come, but the culmination of this romantic bath, Justin’s husky voice, and his rock-hard erection have multiplied the pleasure.
With a low growl, he tosses the book onto the floor and gets to his feet, taking me with him. He turns and deposits me on the ledge next to the tub, his gaze darkening as he drops to his knees in front of me and lifts one leg, then the other, to his shoulders.
He doesn’t dive in with just his mouth like I anticipate. Instead, he takes hold of the vibrator as well, using his tongue, his fingers, and the toy to bring me to the brink of release… only to pull back and deny me.
“Ahh!” I cry out in frustration, hands slipping on the wet tile.
His only response is to lock his eyes on mine and do it all over again, two fingers pumping in and out while he tongues my clit and keeps the vibe pressed just to the side.
It’s maddening and amazing all at once. But in no time, I’m right there again. My ears ring and my vision tunnels. I’m helpless to do anything but fist his hair and ride his face, desperately trying to beat him at his own game.
“Justin, please.” My moan is as much of a plea as it praise. Nothing has felt this good before, but if he keeps teasing me…
“I want more, Sunny. I wanna fucking taste you.”
Isn’t that what he’s doing? My god.
“Come on, baby. I know you can do it.” He kneels upright suddenly, one forearm braced on my thigh as he works the vibrator with one hand and fucks me so hard with his other that I see stars.
It’s the most erotic feeling, being so open to him and so completely at his mercy. My pleasure is literally in his hands.
And when he quickly pulls them from me, the toy now fully on my clit, I come so hard that my body does something it’s never done before…
I squirt.
“That’s my fucking girl,” he murmurs with a wicked smile as he coaxes every last pulse of orgasm from my body. Only then does he dip his head and lave at the insides of my thighs and then straight up the center of my pussy like he starving for me.
It’s easily the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced, and when his lips tug on my still tender clit, the tension of another orgasm sparks anew.
“Need you inside,” I beg. “Please.”
“Ask and you shall receive, babe.” He pushes to his feet, water and suds sluicing down his body. His stomach is tense, and his erection looks almost painful as he procures a condom from the same mysterious place he found the book. “Stand for me,” he demands as he tears the package open. “Turn around and hold on the ledge.”
I do as I’m told without hesitation, bending down and presenting myself to him like the wanton woman I am, desperate to be completely owned by him. As much as I’d love to feel him raw, his restraint is damn sexy.
“You’re swollen,” he growls behind me. “All that hot water and finger fucking… your pussy is cherry red. Wish you could see yourself right now.”
My hips twist of their own accord, trying to squelch the throb that his words elicit.
“You’re dripping, too, and it’s not the bath water.” He gives a wicked chuckle and glides the tip of his cock through my folds. “Sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, watching you come like that. Think we can make you do it again?”
I don’t know, and right now, I don’t care. I just want him inside. “Quit talking and fuck me already.”
“Uh-uh, Sunny…” He tsks. “My rules, remember?”
I groan, engulfed by a wave of sweet agony.
“It might feel like fucking, but know this…” He grasps my hair and wraps it around a fist, tugging gently as he lowers his mouth to my ear. “When I’m inside you from now on, we’re making love. Every touch, every kiss, every moan… they make me love you a little more. Do you understand that, Sunny? Do you know what you’ve done to me?”
I barely have time to nod before he pushes inside, slowly filling me until I can’t take any more. Like this, he feels even bigger. Hot, too. Or maybe that’s me.
“Nothing feels as good as you wrapped around me,” he husks, letting go of my hair to curl that arm around my waist. “Nothing feels as good as you taking my cock over and over again. You giving me your body and your heart, trusting me with every part of you.” He thrusts in hard and groans. “It does something to me, baby.” Retreating, he drives back in and snarls, “It’s driving me fucking wild. I can’t get enough.”
Tears burn in my eyes, and as much as I want to respond, I can’t. I’m helpless to do anything but let him love me like he needs, because he isn’t the only one who feels the spark of something deeper and more intense every time we’re together.
I’m right there with him, feeling it in a way that should probably scare me, but there isn’t an ounce of fear in my veins.
Not with this man.
With him, there is only love and hope and faith that this time…
I got it right.
And I’m never letting go.