Chapter 13 #2
I was unable to hold back my beast for long, my heart thudding to the point echoes were pounding in my ears. With every breath I took, drinking in her delicious perfume, I became more and more intoxicated. Every nerve ending was seared from our touch, every cell exploding.
“Oh… You feel so good,” she whispered as she lolled her head against me, taking gasping breaths.
“You’re so wet and hot.”
“You do that to me.”
“Trust me, baby. I’m going to do so much more.”
As I regained control, gripping her hips and yanking her up and down brutally, she continued to purr. The sound was driving me to another level, pushing me into the stratosphere. I wanted her to come, to share in the same kind of pleasure she was giving me.
And I refused to stop until I could bring her an explosive orgasm.
She pulled back, licking her lips, her eyes wild. I could swear they were on fire, her needs bursting at the seams. “You are so… amazing.”
“Come for me, my little brat. Come.”
A sly smile crossed her face, a look that could turn a man into stone.
My God, I loved this woman. All of her. Her quirkiness and rebellious nature. Her gorgeous eyes and stunning figure. And the way she cared about everyone around her. I’d fallen madly in love with her and it still shocked the hell out of me.
She bucked against me several times, her pussy muscles clamping then releasing around my aching cock. I could tell she was close to coming.
“That’s it. Come on, baby.”
“Mmm… You are… Oh. Oh. Oh!” As she yanked hard against me, rocking back and forth, her face became pinched. I wasn’t entirely certain she was breathing.
Then she released a primal scream into the night air. The feel of her muscles clamping tightly around my aching cock was almost too much to take. I was ready to erupt but did everything in my power to hold back. I wasn’t finished with her yet.
Aspen shook violently, taking rattled breaths as she dug her nails into the back of my neck.
Her mouth continued to quiver as one climax erupted into a beautiful wave sweeping through her.
She was absolutely gorgeous when she orgasmed, her skin glowing in the moonlight, her face shimmering as if she was truly an angel.
She was an angel.
She was also my salvation.
“That’s it, my beautiful woman. Take all you need.”
“Fuck me. Keep fucking me,” she murmured, continuing to rock against me.
“Don’t worry. I have no plans on stopping.
” Growling, I fisted her hair, forcing her to look into my eyes as I picked up the pace, drilling into her like a wild man.
I did everything I could to slow down my actions, pulling her close as the momentum built.
The way she felt, her pussy muscles clamping around my cock was powerful. The moment shared with her was freeing.
When I finally allowed myself to erupt deep inside of her, I threw my head back, roaring to the very gods above. Nothing could feel better than this.
My body continued to shake for at least a full minute, my heart racing and my mind spinning. I continued to hold her, rubbing my hand down the length of her back as she clung to me. There was nothing like the feeling of utter rapture.
Sighing, she lifted her head, brushing the tips of her fingers from one side of my face to the other. “You’re amazing. I… I love you. I know I shouldn’t and I’m certain you don’t want me to, but I can’t help my feelings.”
I cupped her jaw, lifting her head several inches so I could look into her eyes. “You are everything to me. My heart and my soul. Never forget that.”
Exhaling, she closed her eyes, a smile remaining on her face.
I cradled her for several minutes until the water seemed to chill all around us.
Then I walked us both toward the shore, keeping her nestled in my arms as I moved toward the blanket.
I certainly couldn’t be accused of being a romantic man on any level, but at least I’d thought of bringing a second blanket.
After wrapping it around both of us, I pulled her down, enabling us to stare up at the stars.
Sighing, she kept her body nestled against mine, one hand placed across my heart. “This is truly beautiful.”
I kissed her forehead, able to smile for the first time in so long. “Yes, you are.”
We remained quiet for a few minutes, simply enjoying the world around us. When she spoke, I was already in a dreamlike state.
“You need to work things out with Jackson.”
Her statement was made with such concern that I sucked in my breath. I knew she was right. I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life without him being a part of it. I kissed her forehead again, squeezing her languishing body. “I know.”
“But you won’t.”
“Don’t count me out, Aspen. I’m ready to change.”
She lifted her head, a wry smile crossing her face. “Oh, yeah?”
“You might be surprised, although I’ll still be a dangerous, ruthless man.” I laughed softly as she settled in again, her breathing finally returning to normal. “Tell me why you took this job again.”
“Now who’s prying?”
I growled from being completely aroused, although I could tell by the look on her face that whatever she’d gone through had been horrific. “Then tell me anything about you.”
“Okay. I love the color red. I’m crazy for it. I adore red licorice, red shoes, red walls. Anything. I’m obsessed with thrillers, both in books and movies. I prefer seafood over anything else. And I was attacked by my boss’s son at a holiday party.”
I bristled, my grip on her arm tightening. I could tell her breathing was once again ragged, her body quivering. I rubbed her arm, allowing her to take the time she needed, although I wanted nothing more than to beat the man responsible to death. “What happened?”
“We’d flirted for a couple of months after I was hired.
He was the financial wizard, able to drag his family’s company out of near financial ruin.
He seemed like a nice guy and I almost went out on a date with him.
Then things were different at a company Christmas party.
He was aggressive, doing everything he could to corner me.
When I took refuge in a bathroom, he walked inside as if he owned the place.
While I’d experienced chemistry with the man, he was entirely different.
Anyway, I couldn’t push him off, at least not entirely.
The worst part was I had to work with him afterwards.
He always seemed to lord it over me, likely since I never called the police. ”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because I didn’t think anyone would believe me. After all, half the employees already knew he had a thing for me. I just… froze.”
“If you’d like, I’ll hunt him down.”
She actually laughed as she lifted her head once again. “No, you beast. I’m happy I made the decision to come here. This was the right choice for me.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“Stop worrying about me. I can take care of myself.”
I was the one to laugh this time. “I know you can. However, do not underestimate what Prescott will do.”
“I won’t. But this needs to stop. And you know that.”
“Yes, I do.” I pulled her even closer, enjoying the warm sensations as well as the closeness I felt. Sadly, my mind was in a bad place. The person responsible for hurting her deserved my wrath. Maybe one day I’d been able to meet the asshole in a dark alley. The thought gave me comfort.
“Thank you,” she said after a few minutes.
“For what?”
“For caring about me.”
Maybe she didn’t have a full understanding of how much I did care about her.
She was such a bright shining star in a world that had been tarnished for me.
I’d forgotten how to live, or about the simpler joys of life itself.
She’d opened up the padlocked door, forcing in the light.
I took a deep breath, studying the twinkling stars.
“There’s a saying from the Eskimos. I don’t remember the exact quote but it’s something like stars are the openings in heaven where the love of those we cared about and lost pours down, shining over us like a beacon of hope.”
“That’s beautiful.”
“That reminds me of you,” I half whispered.
“I’ll take that.”
I heard her yawning and within a few minutes, I could tell she’d fallen asleep.
While I was exhausted to the bone, my muscles aching, I remained very much awake, keeping my eyes on the very stars I’d refused to acknowledge for so long.
Maybe this was the appropriate location in which to finally be able to say goodbye to Carmine.
I would always love her and thoughts about the life we shared never leaving me, but I was finally ready to move on.
Maybe she’d been a guide to Aspen, bringing her into my life.
The thought was beautiful and one I would hold close.
After another few minutes, I closed my eyes. Maybe this time I could dream without a horrible outcome.
Maybe…
Something jolted me awake, my heart racing.
Hissing, I immediately lifted my head, scanning the area.
Damn it. I had fallen asleep. While darkness still had a hold over the area, I could tell by the change in the moon’s position that we’d been asleep for at least two hours.
Aspen remained in the same position as before, her soft and even breathing indicating she was fast asleep.
Very gently I eased her aside, my heart racing as I rose to my feet.
There were few sounds other than the night creatures crawling through the underbrush.
Yet my instinct told me we were being watched.
A series of ugly vibrations shifted down my spine.
This location was off the radar, almost no one but some locals having any knowledge of its existence.
If I was correct, that meant we’d been followed.
I was one stupid fuck not to bring a weapon with me. At this point, nothing was off the table as far as Prescott was concerned. The man had to be on edge after realizing that his plan at eliminating the Kingstons hadn’t worked exactly as he’d planned.