32. Chapter 32
thirty-two
“ I don’t want to be mean.” Her voice was welcoming, playful. Leaning in, she kissed him softly.
Julian kissed her back, pulling her close.
She laughed into his mouth. Her show of enthusiasm sent a wave of vibrant energy through his chest, arms, and legs.
The touch of her hand as it threaded through his hair brought to mind the kisses on his bedroom floor, on the couch, when she’d said goodbye.
It had been a struggle to not scoop her up all those times, to not take her to his bed.
He’d thought that exercising restraint had cost him, but he’d loved her even then, and that she’d now returned to him of her own free will was that much sweeter.
Breathless, he paused. “To be clear... No movie.”
She grinned and laughed. “No!”
“All right then.” With a growl, he lifted her off her feet. The stairs creaked beneath his boots. His knees went weak with excitement, and even more so while Annie kissed his throat, clinging to his neck as he carried her.
At the threshold of his bedroom, she murmured, “I'm a little nervous.”
“We can take our time,” he replied, turning his head to kiss her as he lowered her onto his bed. The soft light from downstairs tempered the mood of the dim room. He smoothed the hair that fell into her eyes after finding her mouth again.
“I love you,” Annie whispered. Her voice sounded pained by pleasure, like it had been in a bubble that needed to be popped.
“I love you, too,” he rasped into her ear.
Annie laid back as Julian pushed up her dress. Approval shone in his eyes at the sight of her bare stomach and thighs. “You’re gorgeous,” he breathed.
She closed her eyes and blushed. A tug inside her chest made goosebumps form along her skin. His voice soaked into her mind, coating it with calm. She had something with him; the spark that had started when they’d first met now glowed with the intensity of a furnace.
“Hmmm. Where do I even begin?”
She raised herself up on her elbows. “Here.” She pointed to her neck and then trailed her finger down to her breast.
Julian straddled her, already hard through his jeans as he brought his mouth down onto hers while caressing her throat. She sighed as his hand left her neck and stroked her breast. Breathing him in, she parted her lips and touched his teeth and tongue. A shiver rocked her.
“ I love you...” echoed in her mind.
“Cold?”
“No.”
“Ah.” His hand went lower, and he gripped onto her thigh, kissing her harder.
Eager, they pulled off their clothes, tossing them on the ground with several soft thunks. Julian’s hands teased and rubbed her breasts before he lowered his head and kissed her nipples. He was fully erect.
“And...?” His hand reached down between her legs, stroking her inner thigh.
His fingers brushed against a spot made more sensitive by yet another heated, deep, lingering kiss. She felt herself penetrate and connect to his very soul, far enough to see she was not tethered to only herself — or of herself.
“Hmmm...” she hummed. She felt boneless as he used his thumb to rub small circles against her sensitive flesh. When he slipped one and then a second finger inside her, she groaned. Wanting to pass her joy forward, she fumbled for his own hard point of pleasure.
He took her hand and guided her. She slid her hand languidly, feeling the flesh shift and stiffen beneath her grip.
A groan flowed out of him. “I could just come now...” He sighed with a smile on his lips, shook his head, and removed her hand. Hastily digging through his dresser drawer, he opened and rolled on a condom before returning to Annie.
His heart felt full, and it was within him to never give up on her so long as she never gave up on him. Maybe, still, his love would not die. He'd absolutely loathed living without her, after all.
Kneeling over her, Julian captured her wrists and pinned them above her head with one hand.
A little smirk formed on her face that sent him to the heavens.
With his other hand, he caressed her upper and inner thigh before pressing and rubbing her clit once more.
Beneath him she squirmed, drawing his own smirk of pleasure into the open .
A noise, like a gasp snagging in her throat, escaped Annie. She peered up at him as he smiled down at her.
Hungrily, he shifted his hips and ground against her, desiring to increase the contact between them. Her arousal met his nostrils. He released her hands and lowered his head to kiss her lips. Cheek. Collarbone. She laced her fingers through his hair as he kissed the swell of her breasts.
Unadulterated bliss.
Nobody else mattered but her.
She opened her thighs for him, and he gripped himself as he explored her, employing shallow thrusts at first. The sweet murmur of approval she let out made him even harder. Her legs wrapped around his bigger frame, squeezing and taking him closer, deeper.
Gasping in a throaty tenor, Annie whimpered, “You feel so good.”
He lowered his head and teased her earlobe with his teeth. “Yeah? I’ve been wanting this for so long.” Tucking her hair behind her ear, he let out a resounding, husky sigh that started at the bottom of his lungs. “I love the way you feel, too.”
Their heavy breaths consumed his senses; it felt like the pleasure transpiring below his waist would eat him alive. He gave her most of him, kissing her on the mouth. Reaching down, he worked vigorous strokes into her flesh with deft fingers.
“Mmmm...” Annie dug her nails into his back, sliding her hands over his shoulder blades.
His fingers and erection worked together. Annie clung to his neck. He wrapped her up in his arms. Fuck, I’m so hard, and she’s so wet...
“Yes... yeah... ”
He cradled the back of her head, grasping her hair firmly but playfully. Ecstasy made him lightheaded as he filled her with slow, intent strokes. Their skin was hot and slickened.
“Harder. Please .”
He obliged.
Her gasping breath came in ragged, delightful hitches.
With every thrust, he thought he might pass out.
He was free falling, enjoying every amazing second with her, but growing dangerously close to desperately needing his own satisfaction.
I want to come so badly. Her legs quaked against his hips, and he kissed her harder than he’d ever kissed a woman.
At last, she spasmed, giving him all he craved.
With a raw grunt, he came, too. Terrified of blacking out, he rolled aside and lay beside her.
After a minute of recovery, his eyes shot open. She’d curled against his side, and he stared right into her gorgeous eyes.
“I’ve never felt... I really do love you.” He gulped, feeling naked and wilted. “I can’t believe I get to love you.”
In answer, she cupped his bearded chin and looked at him through her lashes. “I love you, too.” She caressed his chest and hugged him tight.