26. Ellis

26

Ellis

I t's been a week since Meggie and I kissed at her mom's house. We've kissed four more times since then. Not that I've been counting or anything.

I haven't counted the two times we held hands briefly while grocery shopping, or the three times she let me put muscle rub on her shoulders after practice, or the dozens of times Dante caught me checking her out. I've caught Dante checking her out, too. Watching him watch her hits me right in the dick.

We keep getting these little moments as a trio, and I'm crazy for more. I can't think of anything more glorious than every minute we spend with Meggie, and I plan to capitalize on every second of our time together.

When the credits roll on the romcom we're watching, Dante stands and yawns. "I'm turning in."

I want to beg him to stay, but he looks exhausted and I know his shoulder hurts. We've had a long week. Dante's put us through the ringer. We've practiced for hours a day, along with a strenuous weight training and stretching regimen. The rest of the guys went up to bed a while ago. It's late, and I should go to bed, too, but I'm not ready to leave Meggie yet.

She looks at me, clearly wondering if I'm going to leave with my bonded. I don't make a move to get up. Tugging Dante's hand, I pull him in for a kiss. "Mind if I stay up a little longer?"

He looks from me to Meggie, a silent question in his eyes. I shrug. We've talked about it. Of course we've talked about it. But this is the first time there's been an opportunity for Meggie and me to be alone, truly alone.

I swallow as his eyes pierce mine. He knows exactly how I hope tonight will go.

Dante's not ready to admit how much he wants Meggie, but he's getting there. He's been doing private weight training sessions with her, since she proved to be too much of a distraction to work out with the rest of the team, and it's slowly breaking him down.

But for now, it's enough that he's willing to let me explore this. We've had a lot of conversations about Meggie over the past few weeks. He might not like the idea of adding a beta to our pack, but he knows how much she's come to mean to me, how much I want her to be ours.

"Want to stay?" I whisper.

He shakes his head and gives me a peck on the cheek. "Have fun."

The feeling I sense through the bond as he walks away is acceptance, and a healthy dose of curiosity. I think he wants to know what will come of this.

"What do you want to watch?" Meggie asks.

"You pick."

She puts on a comedy from the 80s and settles back onto the couch, rubbing her shoulders. We're all sore, but I can tell Meggie is particularly tight. She's used to swimming, but catching and throwing uses different shoulder and neck muscles.

"Come here," I say, spreading my legs wide and patting between them. The couch is deep and there's plenty of room for both of us.

She hesitates for a minute, but then sighs and moves over to sit in front of me. I bring my hands to her shoulders. "Is this okay?"

She nods and sinks into my touch, slowly releasing her tension. The movie plays on, but I'm not paying attention. I scoot a little closer, and her head falls back on my shoulder. Decadent access to her neck exposed, I capitalize on the position, brushing my lips across her pulse and kissing along the column of sensitive skin. She rolls her head to the side, allowing me to scent mark her. Possessiveness pummels through me. I love my scent on her.

I move both hands to that shoulder, rubbing away the knots and tension, then planting a kiss just behind her ear. She quivers and the softest gasp slips out of her mouth. I tug on her braided hair, tilting her head in the other direction so I can work on the other side.

"You're very good at that," she whispers.

"This is the thing I'm best at. It's all downhill from here," I quip. She giggles, then sighs as I continue to work her muscles.

"I have a difficult time believing that." She reclines all the way against me, her back leaning into my chest. That slight movement brings her close enough to feel how hard I am through the running shorts I'm wearing.

She tenses, and I can tell she's about to bolt, so I splay one hand across her stomach. "Stay. Please, Megs."

Again, she hesitates, like she thinks she shouldn't be here. But she doesn't leave. I bring both hands back to her shoulders and work her sore muscles. She melts. My hands rub down her arms. I take one of her hands and massage the center of her palm. She moans, head rolling to the side so she can look at me. "Don't stop."

"Never." I move to her other hand, then back up to her shoulders.

Meggie twists and looks back to meet my gaze with a sly smile. "I think the fabric is getting in the way." She nervously bites her lip and lifts her arms. "Help, please."

I oblige and yank the thick sweatshirt over her head. She doesn't have a shirt on under it. Just a teal bra, the color of the pool in the middle of the day. Using my teeth, I tug at the strap with a playful growl that makes her laugh.

There's a jittery energy to her as the laugh trails off. It's clear Meggie hasn't had a lot of sexually experience. I have no idea why not. She's a knockout. But I won't push, mentally or physically. I'll take whatever she's willing to offer and won't demand more. There's plenty of time. I can be patient.

"You can…" She drops her eyes, unable to meet mine, debating with herself. "You can take it off. If… you want."

Oh, I definitely want. Her bra immediately follows the sweatshirt to the floor. She swallows and leans back against me again.

I let myself feast on the sight of her bare breasts. They aren't overly large, but I can tell they'll fit my hand just right. Her rosy nipples are sticking out, tempting me to roll them between my fingers. I grip her shoulders, shaking with the effort of holding myself back.

"Everything's sore, Ellis," she whispers. "Not… not just my shoulders."

An excuse for me to touch her other places if I ever heard one. She doesn't need an excuse. I would happily touch this woman anytime she wants.

I let my fingers rub the muscles just below her collarbone as I kiss her shoulder and drift down to her chest. Her breath hitches, and I can't help groaning. I drag my fingers along the top of her perfect breasts, down the sides, under and along her ribcage. I make slow circles. Staying away from her tight nipples, where I know she wants me. Cupping. Massaging.

Her breathing becomes labored and fast. My kisses fade into the hair at her nape and down the tendons of her neck. My palms brush her nipples achingly soft, rolling the hard nubs between my thumb and forefinger, making her back arch, driving me crazy in the process.

"Ellis," she pants. It's a demand and a question all in one.

My fingers trace down her side and skim along the waistband of her shorts. "Can I touch you here?"

"Yes," her breathy answer sends a surge of want through my groin.

Meggie lifts her hips and lets me slide down her shorts and panties. I groan at the sight. Her smooth pussy glistens, pink and swollen like a ripe fruit ready to be eaten. Next time.

I move my hands down and push against the inside of her thighs, wanting a better view, better access. She reacts instantly, opening her legs for me. So responsive.

My breaths are as hard and fast as hers. Shit, I need to keep myself under control. Something tells me I need to be careful with Meggie or I'll spook her. I don't think she's ready for more than some light fooling around.

I squeeze her thighs to let off some tension, and she moans, spreading herself wider.

"You're going to be the death of me, sunshine."

"Tit for tat." She twists and tugs at my shirt. "You have too many clothes on."

I'm way too relieved that my shirt is the tat she's seeking. My self-control works best if my pants remain on and my dick hidden away. Well, as hidden as this raging erection can be.

My cock is throbbing. All the sexual frustration I've been feeling ever since this woman came into my life is channeled into this one pulsing erection. I desperately want to feel her glistening pussy strangle my cock as I sink into her.

Her hands run along the muscles of my bare chest, then she kisses me thoroughly before settling back to front. Skin to skin.

I drink in the view, gazing over her shoulder at her exposed body. Fuck, I wish Dante were here, taking in the sight of her. "You're so damn sexy."

"Really?" Her fingers run along my forearm, where it wraps across her waist just under her breasts.

"Absolutely." I tickle along her hip, and she gives me that sweet little laugh. I want to keep this light, keep her from getting too in her own head. "Watch the movie, sunshine."

The tickling stops as my fingers follow the crease of her hip, and the humor fades swiftly in favor of sensual sighs as I touch her. Finally.

The hitch in breath, followed by her long moan, is so beautifully erotic my cock bucks against her ass.

She's hot. And wet. So wet. Her thighs are wet. The couch under her is wet. My fingers that just brushed over her center are dripping. I've heard omegas can get this slick, but I've never heard of a beta being like this. She must be seriously turned on.

"Fuck." I nip her shoulder as she lifts one thigh and drapes it over my leg, putting herself on display for me. With my other hand at her breast, I explore every inch of her. When my fingers slide between her wet lips, she tenses.

"Just relax. I won't try to go inside you." She nods against my chest. "I just want to play...here." Brushing my thumb over her clit, she groans.

I feel her melt further against me, and I resolve to give my Meggie exactly what she needs. My fingers drive her to panting groans and gasps. I don't know how long I've teased her. All that matters is her moans getting louder, her fingernails digging into my forearms, my hands in paradise between her legs and teasing her breasts.

I just want her to feel good. To do what makes her feel good. I want to make her feel so fucking good that she lets go of all the tension and stress she's been carrying.

"I can feel you climbing." Her body is hot, flushed, and responsive to my slightest touch. "Shhh, easy, sunshine. Not yet. I want to play some more." My tongue trails behind her earlobe as I whisper. "In fact, you aren't allowed to come. My ego will get too big if I hear you moaning my name. Not allowed."

"Ellis…" My name, a moan torn from her throat.

Her hips move of their own accord against my fingers.

I bury my grin in her neck and let my tongue lave her rapid pulse.

"I can't wait to taste you. Lick you from here," my fingers demonstrate what my mouth wants to do, "to here. Kiss you here. Suck right here."

She groans.

Noted, Meggie likes dirty talk. She's gonna love Dante.

"And, damn, this clit." My fingers move faster. Her hips refuse to be still. Her ass wriggles against my hard-on with each stroke between her legs. Feather-light touches. Hard rubs. Soft brushes. I keep her guessing, never giving her enough to tip her over the edge. Teasing her entrance and returning to torture her above.

My other hand splays across her belly, keeping her against me as she writhes on top. Delicious torture.

"Meggie." Her pulse thunders beneath my lips as I kiss along her neck. "Not allowed to come, remember?"

"God, Ellis, more." Her words melt back into groans.

"What do you want, sunshine?"

She falters for a second, and I can tell the minute she decides. "I want you. Inside me. I want your touch inside me."

Fuck. I like the sound of that.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, oh god, yes."

"Hmm, I hadn't planned to… I think we're going to stick with this for tonight." I slide a finger around her entrance, the tiniest tease. "Is this ok?"

My finger moves in a slow circle along the top of her vulva.

Eyes closed, lips parting, she nods. "Please. Ellis, please, I want—"

Her words stop as I slide one finger slowly inside her to the first knuckle, and she gasps. I pull that finger back, circling her clit, and then return, pressing deeper.

"I know what you want."

She's so tight around my finger. My cock aches.

For tonight, I have to keep my pants on. That's vital. I want her too much. The last thing I want is to scare her because I threw her over the back of the couch and fucked her until she screamed loud enough to wake the whole house. Fuck, I want to do that.

But that's not what she needs right now. She needs to relax. To trust me.

I hold myself back by removing my fingers from between her legs and bringing each hand to caress her breasts. She whimpers, protesting. Grabbing my wrist, she tugs my right hand back where she wants it, and I comply, returning my fingers to her wet heat. "Needy aren't you."

"You have no idea," she says, breathless. "I've wanted this… so long." Her head tilts back and up so she can kiss the center of my neck, then bite my chest.

She's so beautiful like this. My Meggie, who's always so in control, so careful. She's nearly feral right now. Wondrously greedy for my touch.

Sweat glistens across her heaving chest, and I savor each gasp and moan. Growing tighter around my finger, the pitch of her moans changes, and I have to stop myself from finishing in my gym shorts. The tidal wave of her orgasm crests and crashes through her and right into me.

I hold her through the current of her release until her muscles fall slack. Meggie mewls as she catches her breath.

I cup between her legs, holding her steady for a moment before sliding my hand up to her waist. Her fingers intertwine with mine, the tenderness of the moment making my heart skip.

She rolls over and slithers to straddle me. Little minx with lethargic limbs and a giddy smile. I'm sure my own smile looks completely stupid and self-satisfied. One of her curious little fingers trails down my bare chest to palm the bulge in my shorts. I can't let her keep going, though. If I did, there's no way I'd be able to hold myself back from taking all that I want. I'd have my cock in her so fast she wouldn't know what happened.

So I stop her hand with mine, bring her fingers away from my groin, and lift them to my lips for a sweet kiss. "Tonight is just for you."

"But you—"

"I'll be fine."

She wriggles her hips against my cock, and I clench my jaw to keep myself from rolling her over and mounting her.

"Foul play." I flick her thigh. "Just give me a minute to think about my grandma or something."

She buries her laugh in my chest and snuggles against me. "You smell so good." Her nose nuzzles my neck. "Hold me a little longer?"

Pride wells in my chest that my girl likes my scent. That she wants to stay here with me. "All night, if that's what you want."

I adjust positions, laying down on the couch with her cuddled on top of me. I pull a blanket over us to cover her perfect skin and keep her from getting cold.

As I drift off to sleep, I almost think I smell cinnamon. And something else, something faint, and vaguely familiar. Something addictive. Something almost… maybe… no. That's impossible.