5. Annika
ANNIKA
I wake slowly, suspended in a delicious haze of memory and warmth.
My body feels soft, curved into the most perfect shape, cocooned in a nest of blankets we gathered from around the safe house last night.
A blush warms my cheeks as I remember every breathless minute, every raw sound, every heated touch.
We ended the unforgettable night by cuddling.
Kai stroked my back and whispered praises until I fell asleep.
I’ve never felt so close to someone, so vulnerable and yet powerful.
I roll over, intending to burrow against the hard, unyielding warmth of his body, but the space beside me is empty. Panic, cold and sharp, cuts through my morning bliss. My eyes fly open, scanning the floor. "Kai?" I call out, sitting up.
Relief floods through me when I see his ruggedly handsome face.
He's not gone. He's just standing in the kitchen doorway, struggling.
Kai is trying to hold two plates piled high with breakfast, navigating the tight space between the counter and the table, and he looks profoundly uncomfortable.
It's such a domestic, doting scene, one that's clearly not in his nature, that the panic instantly deflates, replaced by a soft, genuine smile.
He's trying so hard to be gentle and treat me right.
"Morning, little flower," he says, trying to balance a plate on his massive bicep. I hop up, intending to relieve him of one of the plates. "Let me help?—"
Before my fingers can even touch the ceramic, he snatches it back with a speed that makes me flinch.
He carefully, almost reverently, sets both plates on the counter, then turns and crosses the three feet between us in two strides.
He catches my waist, pulling me tight against his granite chest, and kisses the breath from my lungs.
It's possessive and greedy, and the kiss sends a shot of pure, unadulterated need straight to my core.
He pulls back just enough to rake his eyes over my body, his look dark, intense, and utterly consuming. "You cannot," he growls, his voice deep and rough, "walk around naked and expect me not to ravage you, Annika."
I glance down. Oh. Right . In my dreamy haze and rush to help, I completely forgot to put on a shirt. Or underwear. Or anything at all. My blush returns, hotter this time, but it's mixed with a thrilling sense of ownership. He captures my mouth again, a slower, more tender assault this time.
I run my hands down his sculpted chest before my fingers trace the jagged line of an old scar over his ribcage.
He groans, the sound vibrating deep in his chest, and his hands lift me effortlessly.
He presses me against the nearest wall, his body caging mine in while I wrap my legs around his hips.
He grinds his erection against my already sensitive core until I'm shaking, every nerve ending screaming.
My joints lock and my muscles tense, every single part of me bracing for release.
And then he sets me down on my feet, not bothering to finish what he started. A frustrated cry leaves my lips and my body buzzes with my impending orgasm.
Kai grins down at me, then scoops me up, bridal style. He’s heading toward our blanket pile, and I hope he has the same filthy thoughts I do. He knows I’m a virgin, but I’m hoping my passion and dedication make up for my lack of experience.
I nuzzle into the side of his neck, kissing him there before nipping at his earlobe. Kai’s breath hitches and he pauses, leaning his head back to groan. “If you keep that up, I might have to do more than just taste you this time.”
“Promise?” I ask, my voice breathless and filled with need.
“Annika… Do you know what you’re asking for?”
I tilt my head up, brushing my lips against the shell of his ear.
Wicked, dirty words come pouring out of my mouth, shocking even myself.
“I’m asking you to fuck me, Kai. I need you to fill me up with your big cock.
I ache for you,” I whisper. Kai lets out a wild, almost painful sounding growl.
“Please, Kai. Fuck me. I need it, I need…”
“Christ, woman, you’re gonna be the death of me.”
Kai continues carrying me toward the makeshift bed in front of the fireplace, his pace more urgent this time, which makes me smirk.
He gently lays me down on the soft blankets, then he falls on top of me, pinning me down with his weight, blanketing me in his strength.
His lips are on mine, picking up right where we left off.
He holds himself up with one hand at the side of my head, while his other hand slides down my body, cupping my breast. He squeezes lightly, groaning into my mouth.
Then his hand moves lower, gripping my hip and stroking my bare thigh.
Kai squeezes me there and groans again, pulling my leg to the side so he can settle between my legs.
“I need to get undressed, but I can’t stop kissing these lips,” he whispers, grinding his jean-covered cock against my core as he kisses me again.
I make some desperate sound in the back of my throat, then tear my mouth away from his, breathing fresh air into my burning lungs. Kai rests his forehead on mine, taking deep, ragged breaths. Knowing he’s this wound up because of me is even more of a confidence booster.
I push on his chest, giving him a devious grin as he sits up.
I follow him, standing right in front of the ripped, Greek god of a man.
My hands find his chest once again, my fingers teasing his skin in featherlight touches.
Lower, lower, lower my exploration goes, feeling the dips in his defined chest and abs.
A shiver runs through his body and into mine, drawing us closer together.
I still can’t believe he wants me. Kai tips my chin up and kisses me soundly as his hand traces a line from my neck, between my breasts, finally cupping my dripping pussy in his large hand.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Annika. I can’t believe you’re trusting me with your gorgeous body.
” He proves his words by combing his fingers through my long hair, fisting the locks at the back of my head and tugging slightly, guiding my face up toward his.
The gaze in his dark, mesmerizing eyes is one of lust, hunger, and… adoration. His need for me, for us, is palpable. But beneath that, Kai has a tenderness that feels a lot like forever when he’s looking at me like this. He closes the short distance between us, his lips finding mine once more.
How is he thinking the same thing I am? Does he really not know what a catch he is? Sexy as hell, ripped, protective, quietly confident, and the best kisser in the world. Sure, he’s the only man I’ve kissed, but I’m certain no one else will ever measure up.
I get lost in the rhythm of our kiss, the steady stroke of Kai’s tongue against mine, the heat from his body, and the way his fingers dig into my flesh as if it’s taking all of his strength not to throw me down and fuck me hard and fast. That thought has more liquid pleasure pooling and dripping down my thighs.
His mouth finally leaves mine, his eyes roaming down my chest, torso, legs, and then reversing their path. When Kai finally meets my gaze, he gives me a gentle, reverent look. He’s letting me know he wants to cherish me as much as he wants to devour me. I feel the same.
“Can’t believe you’re mine,” he whispers. Kai bends down and kisses my neck, my collarbone, and lower, licking one nipple and then the other. He kneels in front of me, blazing a trail of kisses down my torso.
I’m trembling by the time his lips reach my mound. He places a sweet kiss there then looks up at me, as if asking permission one last time. “I want everything with you, Kai,” I whisper, stroking my fingers through his hair. “But I think you need to be naked, too, for this to work.”
Kai grins at me and stands up, pulling my bottom lip through his teeth. “Careful, little flower. Your sassy mouth might get you in trouble one of these days.”
“Oh yeah?” I ask, raising an eyebrow playfully.
“Yeah. But I think you’ll like your punishment.”
My core clenches and releases as I picture myself bent over his lap, alternating spanking me and fingering me in rapid succession. He’s right. I think I’ll like whatever he does to me.
I’m unable to keep my eyes off of his hands, which are working furiously to undo his belt and pants. As soon as he pulls the zipper down, I reach out and tug his jeans and boxers down, eager, desperate, hungry for more. For everything.
Kai helps me, then grips my hips and walks me backward a few steps before pausing. He cups my face in his hands and brushes his nose up and down mine in the lightest touch.
“I want you in every single way, little flower. But I need you to be very sure. There’s no going back after this. Do you trust me?”
“With all of me,” I don’t hesitate to answer. We share a tender moment, so many unspoken words passed back and forth with just one look. Then I feel his hard length graze against my center and just like that, I’m aching for his touch.
Kai tips his head back and groans when I grab his cock and rub the tip with my thumb, spreading his precum around. “Fuck, you feel so good.”
“I need you, Kai. Please, please don’t make me wait.”
He smiles wolfishly, and I sense that he’s picturing all of the things he wants to do to me. “Whatever my queen wants,” he growls, guiding me down onto the blanket pile once more.
I’m expecting him to crawl up next to me, but he scoots down until his face is inches from my slick, wet pussy.
Kai grips my thighs in his large hands and pries my legs apart.
I cry out and bow my back off the floor when he presses his thumb over my clit.
A sudden powerful burst of euphoria slices through me and rattles me to my core.