“I want this.” So much that I ache.
His fingers begin this slow dance, lingering in areas, exploring. Noah skims under my breast, along my stomach, down my legs, to the inside of my thighs, then to a place that causes my back to arch. With kisses that make me drunk and touches that send me soaring, Noah eases off my underwear.
My breath comes out faster, and my hold on him tightens and right when the world is going to fracture into a million pieces, Noah covers my body with his, and I sense Noah in areas that he’s never been before. Like inside me, yet not. He’s warm and solid.
Noah brushes his mouth against mine and caresses my face as he distributes his weight to his elbows. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I whisper with the need to shout. I’m right on the verge of exploding, and I want this release.
He kisses a trail to my ear. “I love you, Echo Emerson.”
“I love you—” And Noah slips in. My breath catches in my throat, and my arms choke his neck, my fingers yank his hair. We both lie completely still, and my eyes squeeze shut with the burning pain.
Noah strokes my hair and presses his lips near my temple. “It’s all right, Echo. We’re all right.”
Moisture forms in my eyes, and Noah kisses a path up my cheek. I open them, and he stares down at me. His body shakes as if he’s trying desperately to stay motionless. “Are you with me, baby?”
I swallow then nod.
“We can stop.” He rests his forehead on mine, and his pulse visibly pumps in his neck.
I’m holding my breath, and I hesitantly suck air through my nose then release it through my mouth. The pain isn’t as sharp anymore, and I gather my courage to continue. “I’m okay.”
When I’m able to breathe normally, Noah moves. It’s slow, and it doesn’t hurt as much. He closes his eyes like he’s concentrating, and when he opens his eyes, he gives me a small grin. “Try to relax.”
“I am.” I’m not.
“You’re drawing blood.”
Oh, crap. My nails are embedded in his back, and my fingers strangle his hair. I loosen my grip, and the horror makes me anxious and a bit hysterical. For the love of all things holy, I honest to God giggle. My cheeks flush with the sound, but the shyness and embarrassment fade when Noah chuckles with me.
It’s like my entire body sighs with relief. All of the tension melts away, and having Noah inside me no longer aches.
Noah skims a hand down the side of my body and when he reaches the curve of my butt, he nudges himself farther up. Only a slight discomfort this time and in the dark private areas in my mind, I liked it more than I hated it.
The thought causes warmth to return to my lower sections, and I’m able to kiss Noah back when he reclaims my lips.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs.
I internally hold my breath. “Am I doing it right?”
A glint sparks in his eyes. “You’re perfect.”
And I smile.
Another kiss to my lips; another nudge forward. “Keep relaxing for me.”
Instead of concentrating on relaxing, I focus on the heat of his body against mine, his spicy scent and how the light of the camping lantern strikes the few gold pieces in his dark hair. And I especially fixate on how when Noah shifts up, it creates addictive sensations in certain areas that I really, really...I mean really like.
As Noah moves again, his grip on me tightens yet he possesses the same amount of gentleness. Like I’m precious glass he’s afraid of breaking.
He drops his head, and I kiss his shoulder while wrapping my feet around his. A rough sound leaves his throat, and a thrill sweeps through me that I have the ability to twist him inside out.
“Jesus Christ, Echo.” His fingers dig into my shoulders. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“It’s okay,” I whisper into his ear, and squeeze my body to his.
Noah holds his breath and with a few final sharp pushes, he shudders. He breathes hard and fast, and my body completely absorbs his weight as he gains his bearings.
“I love you,” he whispers. And he says it again. And again. Then each uttering of the statement is followed by his lips pressing against my body.
There’s a split second when he rolls away, takes care of certain business, but then he’s quick returning to me. “Are you sore?”
“Kind of, but not as bad as I thought I’d be.” I skim my fingers along his face. “I love you.”
So much. And giving him this, it feels like a forever sort of thing.
My body is in this strange teetering state. There’s a surge of adrenaline that I made it to the other side unscathed. Then there’s a stream of desire still crying out to be released. A huge part of me acknowledges that I’m nowhere ready to do that again...yet.
Noah grabs a blanket, covers us both and adjusts the pillows so that I’m completely surrounded. As I snuggle next to him, Noah’s fingers trace up the inside of my thigh and when my eyes roll back in pleasure, he kisses my lips and appears to begin again.