Chapter 6 - Crow
Her simple "good" nearly breaks my control. She's standing here in my jacket, telling me she wants all of me - even the darkest parts - and I'm running out of reasons to resist.
But there's one more thing I need to clear.
"What about Wrath?" I ask, my voice strained. "He's your best friend."
"And your brother," she adds softly.
"Yeah." My hands slide down her arms, not ready to let go but needing some distance before I do something we can't take back. Like push her against the counter and claim that smart mouth of hers. "He's protective of you."
"He is," she agrees. "But he's also the one who suggested I call you for tonight."
That makes me pause. "What?"
She bites her lower lip, and Christ, she has no idea what that does to me.
"When he told me he couldn't come to the reunion, he said I should ask you. Said you'd... said you'd take good care of me."
Something clicks in my head. That crafty bastard. All those times he's invited Emma over, made sure we were seated next to each other at BBQs, left us alone in the garage...
"He knows," I realize. "Has probably known longer than we have."
Emma's hands come up to rest on my chest, and the simple touch is almost my undoing.
"So maybe," she says, looking up at me through those long lashes, "we should stop worrying about what others think and focus on what we want."
I want to scoop her up, carry her to bed, and rip that pretty dress off her. Want to mark every inch of her virgin skin as mine. Want to show her exactly what she's been asking for.
But she deserves better than that. Deserves to be cherished, not ravaged. At least for her first time.
"Emma," I manage, my voice barely recognizable. "If you don't want this to go further tonight, you need to step back now. Because I'm about ten seconds away from-"
"From what?" she challenges, pressing closer. "Tell me, Crow. What are you going to do to me?"
"Doll," I warn, my hands moving to her hips. "Don't tease me. Not about this."
"I'm not teasing." Her fingers trail up my chest to my collar. "I'm asking. Tell me, please.”
I growl, spinning us so she's trapped between me and the counter.
"You want to know what I'm going to do?" My voice is rough, dangerous. "I'm going to take you to that bedroom and peel this dress off you inch by fucking inch. Going to kiss every bit of skin I uncover until you're begging for more."
Her breath hitches, but there's no fear in her eyes. Just heat and trust that makes my blood burn.
"Then I'm going to teach you what real pleasure feels like. Show you why those romance novels of yours are just pale imitations of the real thing." I lean down, my lips brushing her ear. "Going to make you come so many times you forget every name but mine."
She shivers, her hands fisting in my shirt. "Vincent..."
My name. My real name. Coming out of her mouth, it feels like heaven.
"But first," I pull back enough to meet her eyes, needing her to understand. "First, I need to hear you say it. I need to know you're sure. Because once I start, Emma, I won't be able to stop."
"I don't want you to stop," she whispers, and the last thread of my control unravels.
"Say it," I demand, my grip on her hips tightening. "Tell me what you want."
Her cheeks flush pink, but her voice is steady when she says, "I want you, Crow. All of you. Everything you promised and more."
"And tomorrow?" I press. "When you wake up sore and marked as mine? When the reality of being with a man like me sets in?"
"Then I'll still want you." She rises on her tiptoes, bringing her lips a breath away from mine. "I'll always want you."
That does it. With a growl, I lift her onto the counter, stepping between her thighs. One hand tangles in her hair while the other keeps her steady.
"Last chance to run, doll."
Her answer is to wrap her legs around my waist and pull me closer. "I'm not going anywhere."
The sight of her, legs wrapped around me, dress hiked up her thighs - it's better than any fantasy I've had. And I've had plenty.
"Beautiful," I murmur, running my hand up her thigh. Her skin is soft, perfect. "Been dreaming about this. About you."
She shivers under my touch. "How long?"
"Years." I lean in, brushing my lips along her jaw. "Since that first day at the garage, when you walked in wearing that little sundress. Wanted to bend you over my bike right there."
"Why didn't you?"
"Because you deserve better than that." I kiss down her neck, feeling her pulse race under my lips. "Deserve to be worshipped. Cherished." My teeth graze her skin. "Claimed."
"Please," she whimpers, pressing closer.
I pull back just enough to study her face - cheeks flushed, eyes dark with desire, lips parted. Mine. All mine.
"Bedroom," I say roughly. "Now."
She nods, unwrapping her legs from my waist. But before she can slide off the counter, I scoop her up. Her surprised laugh turns into a gasp as I capture her mouth with mine.
The kiss is everything I've imagined and nothing like I expected. She tastes like wine and promise, and when her tongue touches mine, I groan.
Somehow, I manage to navigate us to her bedroom without breaking the kiss. The room is simple, feminine - books everywhere, of course. But all I care about is the bed.
I lay her down gently, following her down but keeping my weight off her. In the soft lamplight, she looks like a dream. My jacket is still wrapped around her, making her look claimed already.
"Crow," she whispers, reaching for me.
"Shh, doll." I kiss her softly. "Let me take care of you."
I start with her hair, carefully removing each pin until those wild curls are spread across her pillow. Then I help her sit up, sliding my jacket off her shoulders. The sight of her in just that navy dress makes my mouth go dry.
"Perfect," I murmur, running my hands down her sides. "So fucking perfect."
She shivers, her hands coming up to my shirt buttons. "Can I...?"
I catch her hands, kissing each palm. "Tonight's about you, Emma. Let me show you how good it can be."
Her eyes meet mine, full of trust and desire. "Show me."
So, I do.
I take my time learning every inch of her body. The way she gasps when I kiss behind her ear. How she arches when I run my hands up her sides. The little whimper she makes when I find a sensitive spot.
The dress comes off slowly, each new inch of skin worshipped with lips and tongue. By the time she's in just her lace underwear, she's trembling.
"Please," she begs, though I don't think she knows what she's begging for.
"Patience," I murmur against her skin, pressing kisses along her inner thigh. Her hands fist in the sheets as I work my way higher, savoring every tremor, every soft sound she makes.
The lace of her underwear is damp - proof of how much she wants this, wants me. I hook my fingers in the waistband, looking up to meet her eyes.
Her eyes, half-lidded with desire, meet mine. She nods, lifting her hips slightly to help me.
I slide the lace down her legs, tossing it aside. The sight of her, completely bare and spread out for me, nearly undoes me.
"Fuck, Emma. You're gorgeous."
Her cheeks flush pink, but she doesn't look away.
"Touch me," she whispers. "Please."
I run my hands up her thighs, savoring the way she trembles. "I'm going to do more than touch you, doll."
Before she can respond, I lower my head, running my tongue along her pussy. The sweet taste of her explodes on my tongue, and she gasps, her hips jerking up.
"Crow!"
I hold her hips steady, diving in with purpose now. My tongue circles her clit before flicking over it, drawing out little whimpers and moans that go straight to my cock. When I slide a finger inside her, she's tight and wet and perfect.
"That's it," I murmur against her, adding a second finger. "Let me hear you."
She's writhing now, one hand fisted in my hair while the other clutches the sheets. I curl my fingers, finding that spot inside her that makes her cry out.
"Oh god," she pants. "I'm... I think I'm..."
"Come for me, Emma," I growl, sucking her clit as I pump my fingers faster. "Let go."
She shatters with a cry, her body arching off the bed. I work her through it, gentling my touch as she comes down. When I finally pull away, she's boneless and panting.
"That was..." she starts, then laughs breathlessly. "Wow."
I crawl up her body, pressing kisses as I go. "We're just getting started,"
Her eyes widen as she takes in my still-clothed state. "You're wearing too much."
"Eager, are we?" I tease, but I'm already unbuttoning my shirt. Her hands join mine, pushing it off my shoulders. When her fingers trace my tattoos, I shiver.
"Beautiful," she murmurs, exploring the ink with curious touches.
I capture her hands, pressing them above her head. "Keep them there."
She nods, watching with hungry eyes as I stand to remove my pants and boxers. When my cock springs free, hard and aching, her eyes widen, and she takes a long, deep breath.
"Crow," she whispers, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "I've never..."
"I know, baby." I join her on the bed, covering her body with mine. "We'll go slow. I'll take care of you."
I kiss her deeply, letting her feel my weight, my hardness pressed against her thigh. She moans into my mouth, her hips lifting to seek friction.
"Please," she begs when we break for air. "I need you."
"You have me," I promise, positioning myself at her entrance. "All of me."
I push in slowly, groaning at the tight heat enveloping me. Emma gasps, her nails digging into my shoulders.
"You okay?" I ask, forcing myself to hold still.
She nods, eyes squeezed shut. "Just... give me a minute."
I pepper her face with kisses, murmuring encouragement. When she starts to relax, I pull out slightly before pushing back in, a little deeper this time.
"Oh," she breathes, her eyes flying open. "That's..."
"Good?" I smirk, repeating the motion.
"Yes," she moans. "More. Please, more."
I oblige, setting a steady rhythm. She meets me thrust for thrust, her legs wrapping around my waist to pull me deeper.
"Fuck, Emma," I groan, burying my face in her neck. "So tight. So perfect."
She's making these little breathy moans that are driving me crazy. I can feel her getting close again, her walls fluttering around me.
"That's it, doll," I encourage, picking up the pace. "Come for me again. Want to feel you come on my cock."