Chapter 14

14

A s they approached the turn to The Inn on Lost Creek, where Holden was renting a cottage, Finley's heart sped up, beating wildly in her chest. She knew she was making the right decision. She already felt emotionally committed to Holden. A physical commitment was merely the next step.

"You need to text Emerson," he told her, glancing over at her and then back at the road. "Girl code."

He was right about that. Women always let their friends— and especially their roommates —know where they were going to be and who they would be with.

"Good idea," she said, removing her cell from her purse and tapping a message to Emerson.

Do not wait up for me. Will be with Holden tonight.

Emerson replied immediately. All that appeared on the screen was a heart emoji. Though she and her roommate had not talked much about Holden, Finley knew that Emerson liked the writer and would approve of them being together. Emerson had thought Randy was a tool and had told Finley that up front. She wished now she had listened to her longtime friend. That was in the past, though.

Holden was her present— and possibly her future.

She didn't want to get ahead of herself, though, weaving fantasies about this man. They hadn't known one another long, but already, she believed she knew him better than any other man she had dated. That included her years with Jeb. Her college sweetheart had turned out to be as self-centered as Randy Foster, and Finley was glad things hadn't worked out between them.

Because it had given her this chance now to be with Holden Scott.

He pulled past the B&B itself, the truck going down a narrow road to where the cottages for rent stood. Cutting the engine, he turned to her.

"I don't know what tonight will be like between us, Finley. It's something I've wanted. You're someone I've wanted. I just want to make sure before we walk through that door that this is the path you want to follow. I don't want you to feel rushed. Hurried into something you're not ready for yet."

She gazed at him, once again grateful he was such a gentleman. "This is something I want, Holden. To get to know you better. To show you what I'm feeling for you. I know some people might believe we're pulling the trigger too soon, but of all the decisions I've made regarding a man, this is the one I'm feeling best about."

His serious expression faded, a smile turning up the corners of his beautiful mouth.

"I'm ready for this adventure with you."

He got out of the truck. Finley waited, allowing him to come to open her door for her. He slipped his hand around hers, leading her to the door of the cottage and unlocking it.

Once inside, she placed her purse on a table by the door and shrugged out of her coat, draping it atop the purse. He removed the blazer he wore, and his hands cradled her face, giving her a tender kiss.

"Do you want a glass of wine?" he asked. "Relax a little?"

She gazed at him steadily. "Maybe later. All I need now is you."

The air between them crackled with electricity, and Holden yanked her to him, his mouth crashing down on hers. She had always enjoyed kissing, but all the men she had previously dated only used it as a quick stepping stone to other things. Not Holden. He was a man who excelled at kissing. They had already spent hours doing so, and he wouldn't rush things now.

He scooped her into his arms, walking to a chair and sitting. Finley wound her arms around his neck, matching him kiss for kiss. She lost track of time as they took turn sharing control, dominating and then yielding, deepening each kiss until her body was afire, trembling with need.

Wordlessly, he came to his feet, carrying her into the bedroom. Leaning over, he switched on a lamp sitting on the nightstand and then gently placed her on her feet.

"I hope you don't mind a little light," he said. "I don't want to miss a thing about you."

He anchored his hands on her waist and kissed her again. Desire poured through her. Desire for him and what they were about to do. She unbuttoned his shirt to his waist, slipping her hands inside it, flattening her palms and moving them over the hard plains of his chest. She heard a noise in the back of his throat, a low growl which sent shivers dancing along her spine.

His hands left her waist. He tugged the shirt from where it was tucked into his pants, unbuttoned the last few buttons himself and discarded it.

Her eyes roamed over his chest, watching the muscles bunch as her palms glided over the ridges of his abs.

Holden took the hem of her sweater and lifted it from her, tossing it to the ground. His fingers lightly stroked her neck and then her shoulders, moving to her back and unfastening the clasp of her bra. He pulled the straps from her shoulders, and the bra joined her sweater on the floor.

"You are incredibly beautiful," he said huskily, his hands cupping her breasts.

As he caressed her breasts, his lips found her throat, licking and nipping. She could feel the slight stubble as it grazed her neck, the touch stoking the fire within her. His lips traveled down the slope of her shoulder, nibbling as he went.

Suddenly, he twirled her in his arms, facing her away from him. One arm pinned her to him as his free hand kneaded her breast. Holden continued kissing her neck and shoulder as his fingers circled her nipple, teasing it until it pebbled in need. Slowly, he rubbed the pad of his thumb back and forth across it, causing a deep ache within her. One only this man could fill. Then he tweaked it playfully, making her gasp aloud.

His hand left her breast and traveled south, finding the button of her trousers. He slid the button through the buttonhole and slowly pulled down the zipper.

His teeth grazed her earlobe as he said, "I don't want to let you go, but I need to. Just for a moment."

Trembling, Finley leaned against him as his hands pushed the pants over her hips. They pooled at her feet, and he held her waist, allowing her to step from them. She kicked them aside. His arm went around her waist again, and her fingers gripped his muscled forearm. She gazed down at it, having never really thought how sexy a man's forearm could be. It made her think of the Regency romances she'd devoured in high school. How women's hearts had fluttered if a man rolled up his sleeves, exposing his forearm.

She got it now.

Holden held her firmly in place as his palm caressed her belly, moving lower, slipping into her panties. He began stroking her, causing desire to flare within her. She was already on fire from the heat of his own body pressed against hers. As he pushed a finger into her, Finley mewled like a kitten.

"You like that?" he asked, he voice low and dangerous, his mouth near her ear.

"Yes," she managed to get out, his movements causing all rational thought to flee.

He stroked her deeply, his fingers knowing exactly where to touch her. She began moving against him, writhing as he increased the pressure. His kisses blazed hot against her throat as the fingers sped up, and Finley became a bundle of quivering limbs. A feeling built steadily within her, and she knew where this journey would end.

Then the orgasm erupted with a ferocity she had never experienced. Her body quaked. She had no control over it as she moved against his hand, whimpering. Finally, the wave of pleasure subsided, and she went limp in his arms. Holden seemed to know she wasn't capable of standing on her own. He lifted her into his arms, placing her on the bed. Going to the other side of it, he pulled down the comforter and sheet before returning to her.

"I can stand," she said, not certain she actually could as she pushed off the bed.

Thankfully, his strong arm went about her waist, steadying her as his other hand pulled the bedding down. He eased her back to the mattress and quickly shed the rest of what he wore, his glasses the last thing he removed. As he set them on the nightstand, it made her realize she still had on her black stilettos.

Finley leaned down to unbuckle the strap, but his hand covered hers.

"No. Wait. Let me."

She lay back against the pillow, admiring his wonderful physique, eager to touch him.

Holden perched on the bed and undid the shoe's strap, easing it from her foot, doing the same with the other shoe, setting the pair on the floor. He looked up at her, his moss green eyes darker than usual. It was a bit different seeing him without his glasses, but he was handsome with or without them.

Finley touched his face with her fingers, again feeling the slight stubble. He took her fingers, kissing them gently, then slipped them into his mouth, sucking on them. A jolt of desire rippled through her.

"Love me," she said.

"I plan to," he told her, his gaze unwavering. "But I'm going to take my time."

Holden proceeded to do just that. Finley felt on fire as he touched every part of her. With fingers. Mouth. Tongue. She also enjoyed exploring his body, so hard and firm. His masculine scent was unlike any other man's, drawing her in, making her heart race.

He worshiped her. There was no other word for it. He made her feel like a goddess. No man had ever taken such time with her, seeing to her needs above his own.

For a moment, he pulled away. She reached out, wanting him back, then realized he'd opened the drawer to the nightstand. He removed a foil packet and ripped it open, placing the condom on his cock and rolling it down. Then his mouth returned to hers, demanding more of her as his hands stroked her to new heights.

When he hovered over her, pausing a minute, their eyes met. She saw his had gone dark with desire.

"I've never needed a woman like I do you, Finley."

Then he moved from her, lying beside her, confusing her. She'd thought he was about to enter her. Already, her core throbbed with need, wanting him inside her.

Before she could ask why he hadn't thrust into her, Holden turned on his side, his hands seizing her waist. He lifted her, rolling to his back. Now, she was hovering over him, his strong arms keeping her in the air.

"You're the one in control," he rasped. "I want you to be in charge of this first time we come together."

Shock filled her. No man had ever ceded control to her.

Confidence rushed through her. "Lower me onto you," she told him.

Slowly, he brought her down. She grasped the base of his erect penis, holding it in place as her body took him in. Finley was seated on him, filled with him. Her gaze met his. She smiled.

And began to move.

She rode him, taking them both on a wild, magical ride. Never had she felt so free. So fearless. So powerful. It was incredibly liberating, to feel such feminine power, to see how she moved him.

When her orgasm hit, it was the most powerful rush ever. He also climaxed, his fingers digging into her hips as she rode him, the wave of pleasure like a surfer dominating a hundred-foot wave. Finley collapsed on his chest, breathing heavily, totally spent.

His arm cradled her to him as his hand stroked her hair. No words were necessary and they wouldn't have been adequate. She rested her head against his shoulder, feeling the beating of his heart as it eventual slowed.

"Your knees must need a stretch," he finally said.

Reluctantly, Finley pushed her knuckles against the mattress, rising so she was in a sitting position again. She eased off him and out of the bed, feeling the blood race through her.

Holden took a tissue and removed his condom, wrapping it and setting it on the nightstand.

"Come back," he said, his voice low and rough, holding a hand out to her.

She eagerly returned to the bed, his body wrapping around hers, blanketing her in warmth. They kissed several minutes until she grew sleepy.

"I know. I'm exhausted, too," he said. "But in the best way possible."

He leaned down and brought the covers over them. Finley snuggled against him, her cheek resting on his bare chest, her arm around his waist.

As she drifted into sleep, she was aware of one thing.

She loved Holden Scott.