Chapter 12 #3
The dress pooled at her waist, and I eased her back onto my bed, following her down, covering her body with mine. The fabric bunched between us, and I worked it over her hips, down her legs, until she was bare except for simple underwear.
She was beautiful. All soft curves and pale skin and freckles I wanted to map with my mouth.
“You're staring,” she whispered, a flush creeping across her chest.
“I know. I can't help it.” I kissed her collarbone, her shoulder, the hollow of her throat where her pulse raced under my lips. “I've been wanting to do this for six years. Let me look.”
She smiled, shy and pleased, so breathtaking I had to kiss her again simply because I could.
My hands explored slowly, tracing the dip of her waist, the curve of her hip, the softness of her skin. Every touch made her gasp or sigh or arch into me, and I cataloged each response, learning what she liked, what made her moan my name.
“Connor,” she breathed, her hands moving to my belt. “Too many clothes. You have too many clothes on.”
I helped her with my jeans, kicking them off along with my boots, until I was bare. Her eyes traveled over me, appreciative. The way she looked at me made me feel like I was something worth wanting.
“Come here,” she whispered, reaching for me.
I settled over her, bracing my weight on my forearms. The feeling of her skin against mine finally after years of wanting her made my breath catch.
“Tell me if I'm going too fast,” I murmured, kissing the pulse point at her throat that fluttered wildly. “Tell me if you want me to stop.”
“Never.” She arched into me, her hands sliding up my back. “I never want you to stop.”
I kissed my way down her body, learning her with my mouth. The curve of her breast, the dip of her stomach, the jut of her hipbone. She trembled under my attention and her fingers threaded through my hair, holding me close.
I slowly dragged my fingers along her skin and pulled off the last barrier between us.
“Connor—” My name was half gasp, half plea.
“I've got you,” I promised, kissing back up her body, positioning myself over her again. “I've got you, Harper.”
Her legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer, and I groaned at the contact. At the heat of her. At how perfectly she fit against me.
“Are you sure?” I asked one more time, even though every nerve in my body was screaming to move, to take, to claim. “Harper, once we do this—”
The feeling of her fingers clenching tight in my hair cut me off.
“Stop asking me. I'm not going to change my mind. I'm sure.” Her hands slid forward to cup my face, making me look at her. “I want this. I want you.”
I kissed her as I pushed forward slowly, carefully, watching her face for any sign of discomfort. Her eyes widened, her lips parted on a soft gasp, and then she was pulling me closer, deeper.
“Okay?” I managed, going still, giving her time to adjust even though it was killing me.
“More than okay.” Her voice was breathless. “Please keep going.”
I did, slowly at first, learning her rhythm, watching what made her gasp and moan. Her hands gripped my shoulders, her nails digging in slightly, and the small bite of pain just made everything more intense.
“God, Harper,” I breathed against her neck. “You feel—”
“I know.” She rolled her hips, meeting me thrust for thrust, and the sensation made stars burst behind my eyes. “Connor, don't hold back. I want all of you.”
So I gave her everything.
Moved faster, harder, deeper. Lost myself in the feel of her. The warmth of her skin, the sound of her breathing as it got ragged, the way she said my name like a prayer. Her body moved with mine in perfect synchronization, like we'd been doing this for years instead of for the first time.
Like we were made for each other.
“Harper.” I could feel my control slipping, feel myself getting close. “I need—”
“Me too.” Her legs tightened around me, her whole body tensing. “Connor, I'm—”
She shattered around me with my name on her lips, and the sensation, mixed with the sight of her coming undone beneath me—because of me— pushed me over the edge. I buried my face in her neck, her name torn from my throat as I followed her into bliss.
We stayed locked together for a long moment afterward, both of us trembling, both of us breathing hard. I could feel her heartbeat against my chest, racing as fast as mine.
“That was…” She couldn't seem to find words.
“Yeah.” I lifted my head to look at her, brushing damp hair from her face. Her eyes were soft and dazed, her lips swollen from kissing. “You okay?”
“I'm perfect.” She smiled, radiant and genuine. “That was perfect. You're perfect.”
“Not perfect. But perfect with you.” I kissed her softly, then carefully shifted to the side, pulling her with me so she was tucked against my chest. “Stay right here. Don't move.”
“Wasn't planning on it.” She yawned, already starting to drift, her body relaxing into mine. “Connor?”
“Mmm?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being patient. For waiting for me.” Another yawn. “For everything.”
I tightened my arms around her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Always, Harper. Always.”
She murmured something I couldn't quite catch, already half-asleep. I held her while her breathing evened out, feeling the weight of her against me, breathing in the scent of her hair mixed with my sheets.
She's finally mine.
And lying there in the darkness with Harper in my arms, I knew with absolute certainty that I would do anything to keep her safe.
To keep her with me.