Chapter 13
Montgomery
Few people in my life had ever surprised me in a good way.
Aspen was one of those. She was so vibrant and alive, resilient no matter what she went through.
Whatever had occurred in her past pissed me off, more so than it should.
For God’s sake, I’d almost hurt her because I remained angry with myself.
She didn’t deserve my personal brand of crazy.
I sure as hell didn’t deserve a woman like Aspen in my life.
But in those few minutes of fearing I’d lost her in the fire, I’d been faced with the most powerful realization I’d had in a long time.
I was falling in love with her. It wasn’t just infatuation or the lust that continued to build.
I’d never allowed myself to believe there could be anyone else in my life, but I’d felt a push from Carmine, as if her ghost was telling me to move forward.
I wanted nothing more than to keep Aspen close, protecting her from anything Prescott might try. How the hell was I supposed to do that?
For tonight, I refused to allow the bastard to interfere with what little joy had been allowed back into my life.
As she jumped into the water, I held my breath. The temperature had to be in the sixties at this point. When she popped up, tossing her long hair over her shoulders, the spray shimmered in the brightness of the moon.
Then she screamed, visibly shivering.
When I laughed, she splashed water in my direction.
She dared to beckon me with a single finger.
As if the woman believed that a little cold water could bother me in the least. I continued to watch her as I undressed, my hunger intensifying.
She truly had a way about her that not only calmed me but also created such a sense of joy that I was still taken aback.
I couldn’t wait to take a look at her presentation, and I was surprised by the fact I was drawn to all her ideas.
I laughed softly to myself as I took a deep breath of the crisp air, holding it in my lungs for several seconds. The view was just as spectacular as I remembered, although the location seemed more magical at this point.
That had everything to do with the woman splashing in the water.
Grinning, I walked slowly into the water; the instant chill was invigorating but was unable to dampen the heat that had already built to an explosive level.
I concentrated on Aspen as I swam toward her, laughing once again as she attempted to get further away from me. She brought out the predator in me.
I dove under the water, able to hear her squeal as I powered toward her. When I broke through the water’s surface only inches away, tossing my head back and forth, she broke into a fit of giggles. The sound was like sweet music, something I hadn’t heard in one hell of a long time.
“Did you really think you could get away from me?” I asked, keeping my voice as deep and husky as possible.
“I assure you that I can run away from you any time I like.”
I cocked my head, grinning at her like the predator I was. “We will see about that.” As I lunged toward her, she threw her arms back, kicking out in the water. I was able to grab her with ease, yanking her toward me and spinning us both around.
Purring, she slipped her arms around my neck, fingering my long hair as she dragged her tongue across her lips. The shimmer of the moon allowed me to see her mischievous expression. She certainly knew how to entice a man by giving him a single look.
My cock ached to the point I knew I couldn’t wait but so long to thrust it inside of her.
I tangled my fingers in her hair, holding her in place as I breathed across her face.
The tiny beads of water accentuated her porcelain skin, the dancing light providing a golden halo surrounding her.
She was such a beautiful creature, a woman to be treasured no matter the circumstances.
I wanted her even more than I had before.
I was willing to give up almost everything in my world to be with her.
The thought was startling but refreshing.
She ground her hips back and forth, driving me to the point of madness. Of course she knew what she was doing, the naughty little vixen. “Are you hungry, big boy?”
“You have no idea.”
“Do you think you can handle me?”
I raked my fingers down her back, cupping her bottom, squeezing on purpose as a reminder that I was completely in charge. Her scattered moans were my reward.
She fingered the back of my neck as we held each other, her mouth pursing as she continued to purr in a soft rumble.
I shifted around and around in the water, the heat of our bodies eradicating the cold.
I could feel her heart beating almost as hard as mine, the anticipation of the pleasure we shared heightening the sensations.
When I slowly lowered my head, I took my time, enjoying the quiet moment. I felt more at peace than I had in such a long time. This moment was perfect, the excitement building.
“Do you know what you do to me?” I whispered before sliding my nose back and forth across hers.
“Tempt you?”
“Very much so.”
“Should I tease you?” she asked then shifted her hips back and forth provocatively.
“I suggest you be very careful, little girl.”
After nipping my lower lip, she brushed the tip of her tongue from one side of my jaw to the other, her whisper adding fuel to the fire. “And what if I don’t want to be careful?”
I was a man with little patience. There was no method of keeping my control with her, my cravings too dark.
It was time to introduce her to the playroom.
But for now, I wanted nothing more than to show her just how much she meant to me.
I pressed my lips against hers, drinking in her sweet essence as the tingling vibrations continued to ignite every cell and muscle.
She tilted her head, cooing as I slid my lips back and forth. I wanted this moment to last. When she wrapped her legs around my thighs, I felt like I could stay this way for hours. Just holding her. Kissing her.
Caressing her.
There was no real sense of urgency, other than that my balls ached, longing to erupt deep inside of her tight little pussy. I wanted to fill her with my seed, to lay claim to the woman I longed to be with.
To possess.
To protect.
I turned in another full circle then captured her mouth, holding the stance for a few seconds.
Aspen opened her lips slowly, continuing to caress my neck, her long fingers stroking ever so slowly.
Yet the fire was ready to get out of control, the beast inside of me hungering.
I slid my tongue inside, just tasting her, barely darting it back and forth across hers.
She moaned into the kiss, her slight movements indicating her own increasing desire. As the kiss became more passionate, our combined sounds floated into the night sky. Within seconds, there was no holding back, our longing becoming too intense.
The intimate moment seemed to take on a life of its own, our bodies taking full control as our needs escalated. She clung to me, undulating her hips, every move she made driving me insane. I was breathless, unable to think clearly with one exception.
I wanted to fuck her.
No, I needed to make love with her.
This wasn’t about taking. This was about joining. And for a few incredible moments in time, we were as one.
The kiss lasted for several minutes, the time allowing me to explore every inch of her luscious mouth. But with each passing second, I found it more difficult to keep from fulfilling my burning needs.
She seemed to sense my growing anxiety, easing one hand over my shoulder and gently pressing her palm against my chest. As she broke the kiss, she took several scattered breaths. “I want you. Take me. Fuck me.”
Her words were so powerful, her surrender exactly what I needed. I lifted her by several inches, holding her aloft as I gave her a sly smile.
There was no hesitation. She slid her hand between us, stroking the base of my cock for several seconds before guiding the tip between her swollen folds. Then she gave me another playful look as she fingered the side of my face, tracing my cheekbones and nose, encircling my mouth.
When I bit the tip of her finger, she yelped before tossing her head and laughing. She wasn’t used to seeing this side of me. And neither was I. I sucked on her finger for a few seconds until her eyes became glassy, her breathing even more ragged.
She used her legs to slide up and down, pushing the tip just in inch inside then pulling away.
“Now, you’re teasing me,” I managed, no longer able to recognize my voice.
“Uh-huh. I mean, yes, sir.”
“That makes you a very bad girl.”
Nodding, she arched her back, stretching as far as my hold would allow, the move splashing water all over us as well as exposing her voluptuous breasts for a few amazing seconds. God, how I wanted to devour every inch of her.
My hunger became too great, my needs insatiable. I yanked her down with force, a growl erupting from my throat.
“Yes. Yes. Yes!” She shifted her legs, squeezing her knees against me. The look on her face was one of sheer bliss.
As I began to pull her up and down, fisting her hair with one hand, she whimpered softly. Then she started to ride me, using the power of her muscles to take control.
I allowed her time to play and enjoy, struggling with the need to take over. To consume her. To own her. She was mine.
Mine. Mine. Mine.
The word continued to flow in my mind, pushing my desire into an utter frenzy.
I was almost blinded from the electricity shooting between us, the kind of connection rarely found.
I’d been lucky enough to enjoy it once before.
I wasn’t going to lose this amazing opportunity.
I’d found the woman who could break through all my armor, helping me become a better man.
Nothing was going to take that away from me.