When she reached down to unzip my jeans, my breath caught. I groaned when she gripped my aching cock through my boxers. She moaned into my mouth. We were flattened against each other so tightly that the back of her hand rubbed her own clit as she stroked me.
I wanted to feel more, wanted us even closer, as entwined as two bodies could get. I needed to lose myself in her. My head spun with her touch, but I still starved for more—torn between the desire to devour her and the desire to go slow, to savor every inch of her body and every sweet noise of pleasure.
“Lacey.” I breathed her name into her ear, hot and husky. “I need you.” For once in my life, I wasn’t afraid to admit it. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
All she could manage was a murmured sound of agreement. But I had to hear her say it; there was no going back from this. “Tell me with your words. Are you ready for this?”
Biting her lip, she nodded. “Yes, please. I want to feel you inside me.”
I knew from personal experience that traumatic events, like the one she had gone through tonight, left you shaken and vulnerable. But I also knew one sure-fire way to stop those grim images replaying in your head and calm your frayed nerves. Sex—rough sex. I wouldn’t deny Lacey that pleasure. Even if she was bruised, even if she was still scared, I knew this would help quiet all that, if only temporarily.
I quickly stood up to shed my jeans, grab a condom from my nightstand, and roll it on. Then I knelt between her legs, unhurried. We’d waited so long for this moment; I wouldn’t rush it.
She raised her hips to meet me, so eager. Her heat practically burned me through the thin latex barrier.
“Slow, sweetheart.”
She seemed to understand. Her hand circled the base of my cock, guiding me forward carefully. I kissed her neck, her breasts, her lips as she brought the head to her wet opening. I couldn’t stop my hips from rocking forward, easing into her just the slightest bit.
Her breath caught in her throat and she squeezed her eyes closed, drawing a slow, shaky breath.
“I want you to watch. See how pretty this tight little cunt looks taking me.”
Her eyes opened, and she gazed down at where our bodies joined. It was a perfect sight. Two bodies, damp with perspiration, her slick pink folds invitingly parted for my thick cock. I worked myself in another inch.
“So tight . . . so warm.” I groaned, bringing my mouth to her neck again and sucking hard.
“Nolan,” she cried. “More.”
Hips thrusting forward, I slid inside easily. She was so wet for me, so hot and welcoming, that I groaned aloud. “Fuck, sweetheart . . .”
She writhed, trying to take me deeper, and I obliged her. Soon my cock had bottomed out. I locked eyes with Lacey as I pulled out, then slowly pushed back inside again, watching to make sure I wouldn’t hurt her.
But she was more than ready. “Stop teasing me,” she gasped. She was flushed all the way from her cheeks to her collarbone.
I threw aside my careful control and thrust in hard. She keened and bucked up to meet me. Bingo. I gripped her hips and started pumping in earnest, making sure to hit that same magic spot each time.
I buried my face back into the crook of her neck, muttering her name like worship against her skin. I couldn’t communicate how I felt about her; this was bigger than words, bigger than anything, and I had never really learned how to share my feelings anyway. I didn’t even know where to start. All I could do was show her.
For tonight, this pleasure was enough. We would write our love into each other’s bodies, where it couldn’t be misunderstood.
I pulled her legs up over my shoulders and she moaned at the new, deeper angle—then whimpered when I rubbed her clit with the heel of my hand. As much as I wanted to stay close, I wanted to make Lacey come even more, which required a little maneuvering room.
Her calves trembled over my shoulders and her fingers dug into the sheets. She was definitely getting close.
“Come for me, baby,” I panted. “Please, let me see you.” Her * fluttered in anticipation and I gritted my teeth, willing my cock to hold off just a little longer.
She stared up at me as if I was her whole world. As if she was trying to tell me that we felt exactly the same way about each other. Then her sapphire eyes slid shut. My name fell from her lips in desperate little murmurs. Her cries keened higher, higher, until all her muscles locked around me and she sobbed with pleasure.
“That’s it, baby,” I encouraged as she clutched at me, her whole body shaking.
The sight of Lacey unraveling pushed me over the edge. With a deep groan, I let myself fall hard, my cock throbbing in long, sweet jolts of release.
When I could bring myself to let her go, I threw away the condom. Then I spooned behind her, nestling my nose in her still-damp hair and pulling her back against my chest. My arm fit perfectly into the dip of her waist. I could feel her heart beating just inches away from mine.
Soon her breathing slowed into a low, soothing rhythm. I had never made love before; I had never slept with a woman in my arms. It was the deepest peace I’d felt in a long time.
Chapter Twenty-Three