Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
BELLAROSE
West’s mouth hovers over mine, and the small space of separation is maddening.
He’s close enough for me to feel his warmth but not so close that I can taste him again.
I can tell he’s worried and doesn’t want to press too quickly, but I want this.
Even if it only lasts until the end of the retreat, I know West will make this good for me.
“Stop being so careful,” I whisper against his lips. “I’m not going to break. I’ve still got eight lives to go.”
He lets out a surprised laugh, his warm breath teasing against my mouth. “That’s not funny.”
“Right.” A small laugh leaves me too before it’s cut off when he kisses me again. This time it’s more thorough than before, and I can feel it all the way to my toes.
As always, West starts gently. Only I don’t want gentle. I want him. I want the hunger I’ve seen when he watches me. The possessiveness when he pulled Jake off me. West is my hero and one of the good ones. I’ve seen what he’s capable of, and I want that passion.
I arch against him, opening my mouth. That’s all it takes because I can feel the moment his control slips. His hand strokes down my jaw, tilting my head back so he can deepen the kiss. He’s got full control, and that’s exactly what I want. When West leads, it makes me feel safe and cherished.
“You’re a bossy kitten,” he murmurs against my mouth.
“As long as I’m your kitten,” I whisper before I can really think about what my words mean. Or how true they are.
I tug at his shirt, wanting to feel his skin against mine, and he takes the hint.
West breaks away just long enough to yank it over his head, and I get a moment to appreciate the view.
Broad shoulders narrow to a deep V that leads farther down.
There’s a scattering of dark hair across his chest, and when I run my fingers over it, I’m shocked at how soft it feels.
There’s no time to explore him before he’s kissing me again and pressing me into the bed.
His weight settles over me, and it feels right. I’m not afraid because being with West is right. The only thing I fear for is my heart. This man could break it so easily.
I wrap my legs around his waist to pull him closer, and he’s hard against me. The rush of power that overcomes me is exhilarating. This beautiful, sweet, smart man wants me. And from the size of him, he’s aching for it.
“West,” I breathe, “I want you to touch me.” I’m emboldened by how turned on he is, so I take his hand and place it on my breast. When I arch into his palm to show him how much every part of me wants this too, he stops breathing. “Please.”
His eyes darken as he stares down at me. “I can’t resist you, Bellarose. But I think you already know that.”
He kneads me gently through my dress as his thumb brushes over my nipple. I gasp at the sensation because it’s so, so good. I want more. No, I need it. I can already feel my climax building inside me.
“More,” I demand, and he laughs. It’s a low rumble that goes all the way to my core.
“Impatient.”
“Yes.” I lick my lips. “Very.”
“I’ve got you.”
“I know,” I whisper, and I see the impact of my words in his expression.
West reaches for my zipper and slowly drags it down. Then he leans forward and places a kiss on every new inch of exposed skin. The dress slides off my body, and I lie back in just my bra and panties, suddenly shy despite my earlier boldness.
I really should have thought more about my choice in underwear, but in all fairness, I didn’t expect this to happen. I love a theme, and I stick to it.
“You don’t do anything in halves, do you?” His eyes take in my matching purple cotton underwear. There are little kittens jumping over clouds like sheep would.
“It’s silly.”
“No, it’s you,” he tells me, and I stare up at him.
He keeps saying all the right things, things I didn’t know I needed to hear.
Before I have a chance to think about it too long, West removes my bra.
He goes utterly still while looking at me like I’m precious.
“You’re so beautiful, kitten. Perfect,” he says, his voice rougher now.
Perfect. I don’t think anyone has ever said that about me.
“And you’re wearing too many clothes,” I point out because I need to even the playing field. The way he’s looking at me makes me want to hide and shine at the same time. Maybe if he’s missing all his clothes too, I won’t feel so bashful.
“You want me naked, kitten?” He gives me a playful smirk but sits back to remove his pants.
This time I get to look all I want as he exposes his thick, strong thighs. Then there’s the undeniable evidence of how much he wants me straining against his boxer briefs. West is beautiful with lean muscles and golden skin. The fact that he’s mine, at least for tonight, makes my entire body heat.
He climbs back onto the bed, settles between my legs, and kisses me again.
This time it’s slow and deep as his hands roam my skin.
He touches me like he’s memorizing me and mapping my responses.
When his mouth goes to my nipple, I whimper.
I didn’t know they were so sensitive. Each time he does it, the sensation shoots directly between my thighs.
As if he can read my mind, he trails kisses down my stomach.
I hold my breath, knowing what’s coming.
“Tell me if you want me to stop,” he says, his fingers hovering at the waistband of my panties. I swear there’s a slight tremor in his hand as he touches them.
“Don’t stop,” I tell him as I lift my hips in invitation. “Please, West.”
I know part of him is holding back because of what happened earlier, but I don’t need that. I just need him.
With one quick move, he removes my panties and tosses them aside. Then I’m under him, bare and exposed. I’m vulnerable, but I’m not afraid. I know West would never hurt me.
He kisses my ankle, my calf, and then the inside of my knee. He’s slowly working his way up with maddening patience while I squirm and make demands and then laugh at his teasing.
“West, please.”
“Shh, kitten. Let me enjoy this.” He presses a kiss to my inner thigh, almost where I need it most. I can feel how wet I am, and the aching has turned to a throb. The sensation is like being empty, and it’s taken over.
I’ve read about this, but the reality is much different. West Hayes is kneeling between my thighs, looking at me like I’m a meal he’s about to feast on.
The first touch of his tongue makes me cry out as I fist the sheets. He licks me slowly, thoroughly, like he’s savoring the taste. He lets out a low, hungry moan that vibrates through my core and makes my toes curl.
“West, I…”
I stop talking because I don’t know what I’m trying to say or what to even ask for. I only know that I need more. Something, anything, to ease the building pressure. Then his tongue circles my clit, and I nearly come off the bed. His hands grip my hips to keep me from moving as he keeps going.
West is relentless as he drives me higher with his tongue. Occasionally there’s gentle suction that makes me see stars because all I can do is lie there and take it. I’m panting as my hips try to buck against his mouth, but he doesn’t give me an inch.
“Please,” I beg. “Please, please, West.”
For a second I worry he’s ignoring me, but then he slides a finger, just one, inside me. The stretch feels incredible, but then he curls it while his tongue works my clit, and I come apart. I cry out his name as pleasure crashes through me in waves and I see stars.
West makes sure to milk the orgasm out of me until my legs shake and I become too sensitive. When that happens, he kisses his way back up my body, pausing at my breasts to suck each nipple into his mouth. My body responds before my mind can catch up, and I’m squirming again, filled with need.
“That was—” I say and then laugh. There’s no way to describe it, and I’m breathless with pleasure.
He grins against my throat, smug and pleased with himself. “Just getting started, kitten.”
“Good,” I say as I reach down and touch him through his briefs. He hisses out a breath, and his hips jerk against my hand. “West.”
He catches my wrist and brings it to his lips, kissing my palm. “Slow down, kitten. I know you’re a virgin.”
“Is that…is it okay?” If my cheeks weren’t already pink, they should be by now.
“Bellarose,” he says before kissing me, soft and sweet. “It’s more than okay. I’m honored. I’ll be careful, I promise.”
“I know you will.” I trust him completely, which is strange and wonderful and terrifying all at once. “I want you to be my first.”
He groans, resting his forehead against mine. “You’re killing me, you know that?”
“So stop talking and do something about it.”
He laughs, full and delighted, and kisses me hard. Then he’s pushing off his briefs, and I get my first peek at him. I audibly swallow because he’s much, much bigger than I expected.
“Hey.” He cups my face, drawing my attention back to him. “We’ll go slow. You’ll tell me if it hurts. Okay?”
“Okay,” I agree, feeling relieved.
He positions himself between my legs, and I feel the press of him against my entrance.
He feels hot and impossibly hard. He watches my face for any sign of discomfort as he slowly sinks inside of me.
There’s a stretch and a small burn, but it’s not painful exactly, just intense.
West is filling me with himself, and there’s so much of him.
“Okay?” he grits out. The muscles along his shoulders and neck are tense with the effort of holding back.
“Yes,” I moan as I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper. “Don’t stop. Please, West.”
He goes slow with long strokes that drag against every sensitive spot inside me.
“More,” I say and nip at his jaw. “I’m not going to break.”
“Kitten—”
“West.” I arch my hips up to meet his thrust and then squeeze around him.
His eyes roll back, and that’s all it takes for him to break. He speeds up and drives into me with a force that should hurt but doesn’t. Not with how wet I am. Each thrust sends pleasure sparking through my body as I build again toward that peak.
“You’re so tight,” he groans against my neck. “So perfect. Goddamn it, Bellarose, you feel incredible.”
I moan his name, my nails digging into his back as he reaches between us.
His thumb presses against my clit, and it’s exactly what I need.
I come apart, crying out, my inner muscles clenching around him.
West follows me over the edge as he shouts my name, his warmth spilling inside me at the same time.
The pleasure goes all the way to my bones, and then I go limp against the bed.
West collapses on top of me, sweaty and breathing hard. For a long moment, neither of us speaks, then he presses a kiss to my temple. I turn my face, and he kisses my cheek and the corner of my mouth.
“You okay?” he asks softly, his words filled with concern.
I laugh, utterly happy and exhausted. “More than okay.”
“Me too,” he says as he brushes his nose against my neck.
My eyes are so heavy that I can’t keep them open. “Okay to stay?”
I’m half asleep as I mumble the question, and I’m not sure I wait for a response. But somewhere in my dream, I hear West whisper, “Stay forever, kitten.”