Chapter 18 #4
“I love you,” he whispered against her ear as her hand took the liberty of exploring all the big muscles along his backside, the thick thighs pressing into her so strong, so intense. “I don’t care if it’s too much to say it.”
They took a few breaths together, staring into each other’s eyes, each breath deepening the moment. “Never too much,” she said.
“Give in, Rachel. Let go. Give yourself the freedom to be with me, without achievement, without worrying about the rules the outside world forces on us. I’m so in your debt.”
“My debt?”
“You came here on a mission, and you turned your trip into an act of grace. The town loves you, yes, but you love it back. And I’m grateful to you for seeing all the good here and wanting to save it.”
“Oh, Kell.”
“Let me worship you. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“How can I say no?”
Those strong hands found the waistband of her pants, opening the button, unzipping, then Kell took one hand and slid it under her ass, lifting her up so she could shimmy her pants down over her hips. The smooth sensation of cold air striking her legs made her gasp, enhanced by his sure touch.
Her own eager hands found his button, his zipper, his waist and thighs, the thickening path of hair from his navel on down a source of mystery she was about to uncover.
Ah. He went commando.
“You’re overdressed,” he whispered as he hovered over her, on his knees, watching as she pulled her panties down, soon joining him in a state of equal vulnerability.
Being naked with Kell felt like being real for the very first time.
A shiver took over, Kell pulling the comforter up so they could crawl under, his long, powerful body cocooning her. The man was a furnace, hair along his legs, arms, and chest, and he smelled like woodsmoke.
Pine.
Citrus.
And love.
“If love had a scent, it would be you,” she murmured in his ear, boldly sliding her flattened palm down his chest, over his rock-hard belly, finding something else rock hard.
He inhaled sharply. “That feels so good.”
“Let’s make you feel better,” she said as she lifted the covers and crawled down his body, his hand on her ass, caressing.
“Do you have any idea how often I’ve dreamed of being naked in bed with you?” he said, voice a bit muffled by the covers. His words made her smile as she gripped his shaft, stroking once as he groaned.
“If it’s as often as I have, then yes.”
Her mouth found his tip. He groaned again.
“We have so much catching up to do.”
“Mmm,” was all she could say, mouth full, his fingers in her hair, gripping as he made low sounds of pleasure.
“Your mouth,” he rasped. “Such a divine instrument for torture.”
She paused. “You mean now, or when I talk to you?”
Laughter made his abs curl in, the thick, dark hair across them dancing in the gray shadows. He moved one hand from her hair down her shoulder.
“I do not know what to do with you, Rachel.”
“How about you let me do this?” As she moved her mouth back, he stretched slightly, her free hand on his thigh, marveling at the sheer power in his body.
Then suddenly, she had all the power for a few minutes.
A cold shock of air made her stop as he lifted the comforter and pulled her to him, kissing her deeply, his hands cupping her breasts.
“Not that. I want to stretch this out. Your mouth is extraordinary. What’s that thing you do with your tongue?”
Twisting out of his arms, she dove back under the covers and did the thing.
“That?” she asked.
“You’re killing me.”
“I hope not, because I want you very much alive for a very long time.”
“How about I show you what I can do with my tongue,” he countered, moving her quickly, as if she weighed nothing. Suddenly, she was on her back, head on the pillows, and his mouth kissed a trail down her chest, taking careful breaks on her breasts, his tongue turning her nipples to tiny buds.
As he made his way down her navel, over her belly, she grinned at the ceiling.
Finally.
Every fevered dream, every what if, every wish, each fantasy was coming to life.
And it was better than she ever imagined.
His hands parted her legs and the first kiss was sweet.
So sweet. Tender and light, his scratchy face was the last thing she noticed as he gave her pleasure, her hips riding up to meet what he offered.
The surreal quickly became real, hot and seductive, as the man she’d wanted for so long was finally in bed with her, being wicked and wild.
His hands rode up over her belly to stroke her breasts as she felt the growing wave inside her.
“How is this?” he murmured against her inner thigh.
“Perfect.”
“I want you to tell me, Rachel. Tell me what feels good.”
“Not only is your mouth perfect, so are you.”
“Let me ‘perfect’ you a few times, then,” he whispered as Rachel laughed, then gasped, settling into moans that made her core clench, her legs ride up, and she let go over and over and...
So many times she lost count.
“I have a fantasy,” he said as he crawled back up from under the sheets, Rachel reaching for his hair on his forehead, the heady musk of sex rising up into the cool air outside the comforter. Kell pulled her into his arms and gave her a cocky look.
“Do tell.”
“I want to have Naked Nordic Noir nights with you.”
“That’s not what I thought you were going to say.” She frowned. “You want to watch murder mysteries... now?”
“Not now. A different night. But I want snacks, drinks, a good mystery set in the Arctic, and a naked Rachel under a blanket next to me.”
“You have a naked Rachel in bed under a blanket right now.”
The sensual way his hand moved between her thighs made her inhale sharply. “I most certainly do.”
Their kiss was long and slow, Rachel losing herself in the sheer vastness of emotion as they made out, entwining their bodies in each other as if trying to lose where one began and the other ended.
Heat formed under the covers as they slid down, the cave their bodies made one that made her feel safe, secluded, inside a haven for two.
“I’ve missed you,” he said earnestly between kisses, Rachel under him, the impulse to join with him so strong. As if he read her mind, he sat up slightly, finding a condom in the nightstand drawer, taking care of the safeguard without her asking.
With him, like this, she felt whole. Complete. And as she widened her legs, guiding him in, she smiled into his moonlit eyes, feeling so much love between them.
As Kell made love to her, she whispered softly, “Can we just talk?”
“You want me to stop?”
“No. I just wanted to say that and know that we already did.”
He jolted, then chuckled, kissing her full on the mouth again as he slowly drove home.
“I can say a lot with my body, Rachel.”
Gasping, she felt that in every way possible. “I will enjoy becoming fluent in your body language.”
“Do you know how special you are?” he rasped as his tempo quickened, his hand moving between them, touching her exactly where she needed the extra sensation.
How did he know? She wanted to ask but words escaped her, until soon he was breathing hard, their rhythm matched to a fine point, the world tipping out of focus, her only connection to reality through his touch.
“I love you,” he whispered as they came together, in sync and in love.
“Me, too,” she said. “Oh, so much.”
Collapsing on her, his chin pressed on her shoulder, hot breath making the curve of her neck nice and warm, but soon he rolled off, pulling her close.
Curled up in his arms, she traced a finger along his nose, following the lines of his face, enjoying unfettered access. Timeless and with all the space they wanted, she could do this.
Just enjoy him.
“I should have done this a long time ago,” he whispered against her hair.
“Slept with me?”
“No,” he rasped, kissing her finger. “Believed in you. Unconditionally.”
Cally jumped onto the bed and curled up at their feet, a long sigh coming out of the cat, as if she were aggrieved and her bed was finally fit for feline occupation. Nestled in Kell’s arms, Rachel laughed, Kell joining her, until he kissed her again.
And again.
And again, until Rachel felt that he’d loved her right, all along.