Chapter 19

chapter

nineteen

As soon asthey were safely back in their cabin, Ellie threw herself into Cal's arms. She didn't think about it—it was just a natural reaction, like drawing breath.

"Oh my God. I can't believe he didn't catch us."

"Hopeful's gonna shit bricks when he realizes we've got his dirty little secrets," Cal said with a grin.

She grinned back at him, and in an instant, something changed. The lingering charge between them sparked to life. Their lips met with an urgency that had nothing to do with the danger nipping at their heels and everything to do with the raw need coursing through them.

He pushed Ellie against the door, crushing her to him. His hands went to her waist, pulling her up on her tiptoes. Her fingers raked through his hair as her glasses skewed to the side, fogging up in the heat of their shared breath.

She could feel his cock hardening against her belly, and a thrill heated her blood.

Cal broke the kiss first. He kissed a trail down her throat, teeth grazing her skin. "We have got to stop," he murmured, though he didn't sound convinced.

"No, we don't."

"You'll regret it?—"

"Just shut up and fuck me, Holden."

Cal lifted her easily, bracing her against the rough-hewn door. Ellie wound her legs around his waist, pulling him closer. He fumbled for a moment before aligning himself with her entrance.

"Ellie," he murmured, half warning, half plea.

But she was past caring and tilted her hips. He slid into her like he was made just for her, stretching her, filling her until her body clenched around his, and she gasped out his name.

Cal held her there, lodged deep inside her as if he was afraid to move. His atypical stillness made her laugh.

"You're not going to break me."

"Fuck." The word came out on a rough exhale as she rolled her hips. "No, but I'm afraid I'm gonna break me."

She smirked and rolled her hips against his in response, causing him to groan and bury his face in her neck. He groaned in response, his lips finding hers again in a desperate kiss that sent a shockwave of pleasure through her. His fingers dug into her thighs, his grip almost bruising. She relished it—the raw, primal edge of him. He moved in short, rough strokes, scraping her bare back against the weathered wood.

"You feel so fucking good," Cal breathed into her ear, punctuating his words with a hard thrust that had her gasping. "I'll never get enough of you."

Every nerve ending seemed on fire as he plunged deeper and deeper. She arched into him, her teeth sinking into his shoulder to muffle the moan that tore from her throat. She tightened her legs around him, wanting him as close as possible.

Her world narrowed down to the sensation of being filled and claimed, the rasp of his labored breaths against her ear, the rough wood behind her digging into her skin. She was shaking, her body straining for that inevitable tumble over the edge.

And then his teeth sank into her shoulder, and she shattered. Her cry echoed in the empty cabin, her body spasming around him in waves of pleasure.

"That's it," he murmured, soothing the bite with his tongue before pressing open-mouthed kisses to her neck. "When you come, you light up like a goddamned supernova. It's so fucking beautiful to watch. Do it again."

And she did. Again and again, Cal drove her over the edge with a single-minded focus that was both thrilling and terrifying.

His fingers tightened on her thighs, his movements growing increasingly erratic. His breath hitched as he neared the precipice, and Ellie felt a burst of triumphant satisfaction. She gripped him tighter, her nails digging into the solid muscle of his back, and pressed her mouth to his ear.

"Come for me now, Cal. Let me feel you."

At her words, something wild flashed in his eyes, and he groaned, his head falling in the crook of her neck, his hot breath ghosting over her skin. His pace became erratic, and she knew he was close to breaking. "God, you're so..." He couldn't finish his sentence as his body stiffened. The sight of him undone—teeth gritted, muscles straining, forehead slick with sweat—sent her over the edge. A wave of pleasure washed over her, so intense it felt like she was being ripped apart and pieced back together all at once.

"Cal!" His name tore from her throat, muffled against his shoulder as her body convulsed around him, the pleasure so sharp and overwhelming it bordered on pain.

He pressed his forehead to hers, their heavy breaths mingling in the close space. His grip on her tightened as he thrust a few more times, riding out both their climaxes. Then, spent and shaking, he let out a long breath and rested his forehead against hers again.

"Fuck," Cal muttered at last. "Just—fuck." His voice was rough with spent desire and awe and something else she couldn't quite place. "What was that?"

She had no idea. "Um… Adrenaline high?"

He laughed, and it sent pleasant little shocks through where they were still joined. "Best damn high I've ever had."

"Can we…" She hesitated. If she took this step with him, there would be no going back. "Can we do it again?"

His grin was searingly bright in the dim light as he scooped her into his arms and strode toward the bed.

Cal had never seen anything more beautiful than Ellie naked, spread out on a bed, waiting for him to lose the rest of his clothes and join her.

He shucked the robe and tunic and kicked off the cotton pants. The entire time, Ellie's gaze devoured him. She dragged her lower lip between her teeth, her blue eyes wide and ravenous as they roamed over his body, lingering on his lengthening cock.

Damn, she was playing with fire, he thought as he climbed onto the bed. It wasn't fair how effortlessly she could bring him to his knees.

"C'mere," she breathed, reaching out to him, dragging him down for a kiss that ignited every nerve ending in his body. He situated himself between her thighs, cursing in a strangled whisper when he felt her slick heat against his already sensitive cock.

"Ellie," he groaned as he slid back into her into her. She whimpered, arching her back off the mattress to grind against him, making his eyes roll back.

This time, it wasn't fear or adrenaline; it was pure desire — for Ellie and only Ellie. His hands traced down along the inside of her thighs, making her tremble.

"Cal... harder..." she panted, her nails digging into his biceps.

His world narrowed to her and her alone, to the feel of her beneath him, the sounds she made, the way she called his name. He increased his pace, driving deeper inside her with every thrust.

Ellie matched him stroke for stroke, urging him on with breathy moans and whispered words of encouragement. Her eyes were half-lidded, pupils blown wide with pleasure.

He pulled out to the tip, his fingers trailing along her thigh, hitching her legs higher over his hips before he entered her again with a slow, steady push. She rocked against him, moving with him like they'd been doing this dance for centuries — it was intimate and familiar and so goddamn intense.

Heat gathered at the small of his back.

"God, Ellie," he bit out, his rhythm faltering as he fought against the approaching climax. Her muscles clenched around him, sending him spiraling closer toward the edge.

He had to slow things down, or he wasn't going to last. He was too sensitive, too wired, every nerve ending singing with raw, unchecked desire for the woman beneath him. He rocked his hips slowly, his hands sliding up to cup her breasts, thumbing her hard nipples.

It wasn't enough.

"Cal... don't stop." Her fingers dug into the muscles of his ass, and she wrapped her legs tighter around him, grinding herself against him in a rhythm that made stars explode behind his eyelids.

He tried one last time to pull back, to regain control. But the feel of her around him, the way she was moving and pleading his name, it was too much.

"Just go," she urged desperately, her hands shooting up to claw at his back. "It's okay, just go."

He gripped her hips, lifting her slightly as he thrust harder and faster into her. The sound of their bodies colliding echoed in the dim room, mingling with Ellie's soft cries of pleasure.

She was a vision beneath him—flushed and disheveled, the blonde curls spread over the pillow, glasses askew on her nose. Her cries of pleasure were the sweetest music to his ears.

He gave one final thrust before he shattered completely, his climax ripping through him in blinding pulses.

"Fuck," he panted, easing himself out of her to lie beside her on the bed. "I need a moment."

Ellie propped herself up on her elbow, chuckling softly as she traced lazy circles over his chest. "Can't keep up with me, Holden?"

"Keep up with you? Ellie Summers, I can run circles around you," he teased back, rolling onto his side to face her. His gaze dropped to her parted lips and then lower still, lingering on her bare breasts. Her heart pounded visibly in her chest; he could see the rapid rise and fall.

Cal reached out and cupped one of the soft mounds in his hand, his thumb gently brushing her hard nipple. She gasped in surprise and pleasure, and he took that as an invitation. He leaned in, gently sucking on that sensitive peak. She tangibly shivered as his tongue swirled around it before giving it a gentle bite.

"Cal..." she moaned softly, threading her fingers through his hair to hold him close.

He shifted his attention to the neglected breast, lavishing it with equal affection before kissing and nibbling his way down her stomach. Ellie squirmed underneath him, anticipation causing her muscles to tense as he continued his journey lower.

It felt like ages before he finally reached the destination between her thighs. The scent of her arousal was intoxicating, and he breathed it in deep before giving a long lick right where she needed him the most.

The first touch of his tongue against her clit had her bucking off the bed, a strangled cry erupting from her throat. It was raw and animalistic and made the already hot blood coursing through Cal's veins turn molten.

It was so good - the taste of her, the scent of sex hanging heavy in the room - enough to make him lose himself completely. Every stroke of his tongue had her writhing beneath him. Her hands found their way back into his hair, twisting into messy locks as he moved his tongue in rhythmic circles.

Short licks and long ones, soft nips and firmer sucks. He tried everything until he found the perfect tempo, the rhythm that made Ellie whimper and gasp, her hips rising off the bed to meet his face.

Ellie's hips began to move in sync with him, grinding against his mouth. He could feel the tension coiling tighter within her, the occasional spasms that threatened to tip her over the edge. She was falling apart, and he was there to witness it - every whimper, every shiver, every ragged breath she took, all because of him.

Her thighs clamped around his head as she got closer, and he could feel the tell-tale tightening of her body. Her breath grew shallow and ragged.

"I'm... I'm going to..."

She couldn't finish her sentence as he worked a finger into her sex and sucked hard on her clit.

That was it.

Ellie's body bowed off the bed, her grip on his hair tightened convulsively as the dam broke. She screamed his name, her entire body convulsing as she came hard, all her pent-up tension releasing in an explosion of ecstasy.

It was fucking perfect as he rode out her climax with her, tasting her sweetness on his tongue.

Cal kept his mouth on her, lapping up her release until her grip on his hair eased, and she fell back against the mattress, panting like she'd just run a marathon. He gave one last lingering kiss to her sensitive flesh before crawling back up her body, leaving a trail of kisses in his wake.

He was so hard now that it was almost painful. He needed release, and he needed it now. Seeing her lying there, all flushed and sated and beautiful, was enough to make him lose his mind.

"Cal," she purred, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. Those same lips he was dying to feel around him.

"Ellie," he growled back, desire simmering in his eyes.

With a swift movement, she tugged him closer, her hand wrapping around the base of his erection.

His breath hitched as she began to stroke him slowly, agonizingly drawing out his pleasure. He couldn't help the low groan that slipped from him.

"Mmm, like that?" she teased, looking up at him with those wide blue eyes full of mischief and satisfaction. She traced her thumb over the tip of his cock, catching a drop of pre-cum and swirling it over his head.

In response, he bucked into her grip. His world narrowed down to the sensation of her hand on him.

"Just like that," he managed to gasp out, his voice hoarse with raw need. His hands found her hips, gripping them as if they were his anchor in the sea of overwhelming pleasure.

She tightened her grip on him, using her own slickness to make her strokes smoother. He could feel his pleasure mounting with each pass of her hand. Ellie shot him a wicked grin before leaning down and flicking her tongue against the head of his cock.

The sight of her mouth on him was nearly enough to send him over the edge. She took him in slowly, swirling her tongue around the sensitive head before sinking around his length. The sensation of her warm, wet mouth enveloping him was heaven and hell combined. It was more than he could handle, yet not enough.

She set a slow pace, taking him deep before pulling back, only to repeat the torturous rhythm. She fondled his balls gently, adding to the pleasure that was threatening to consume him. He watched her with hooded eyes, captivated by the sight of his slick cock disappearing into her mouth.

The feeling was too good, toe-curlingly good, and he couldn't stop the low growl that escaped his throat.

She pulled back, releasing him with a soft pop before tracing her tongue along the underside of his cock. She was teasing him, driving him closer to the edge, but not quite there yet. Cal could only groan, his head falling back against the pillow as she continued her sweet torture.

He gritted his teeth against the urge to release. He didn't know how he had any more cum inside him, but he was seconds away from spilling it all again.

"Ellie… Fuck…" His voice cracked on the last word when she sucked hard, sending waves of pleasure coursing through him. "Gonna…"

"Don't you dare," she breathed against his tip. "Not yet."

Cal's eyes shot open at her command. He was gasping for breath, his world shattering into a million points of light. Sweat trickled down his face as he bit down on his lower lip so hard he tasted blood. Ellie moved up to straddle him, her curls tumbling down around her and tickling his chest. A devilish smirk spread across her face, and he could only groan in response, already knowing he was putty in her hands.

She positioned herself above him, his cock pressing against her entrance. Ellie then slowly sunk down on him, taking him deeper and deeper inside her. Every inch of him filled her, stretching her, making her gasp and arch her back. Her walls clamped around him, squeezing in a rhythm that had him bucking against her.

"Ellie..." His voice was a whisper, barely audible above the pounding of his heart in his ears.

The look in her eyes was mischievous, a spark of delight making them gleam. "Yes, Cal?" She paused at the base of his cock, fully sheathed within her.

"Jesus," he groaned out, rolling his hips up to seek more of the exquisite friction. Ellie laughed lightly, placing her hands on his chest for balance as she started to move.

A slow grind at first, circular motions that had Cal seeing stars as she contracted around him. He gripped her hips tighter, guiding her up and down on his shaft. Each downward slide had him groaning out loud, his head falling back onto the pillows as she leaned down to capture his lips in a fierce kiss. Their tongues matched the rhythm of their bodies.

The sight of her above him, flushed and wild-eyed as she rode him, was too much. He could feel the knot in his stomach growing tighter.

He gripped her hips hard, stopping her movements. Ellie let out a whimper of protest but stopped when she saw the wild look in his eyes. He flipped them over so she was underneath him once again—he liked having control.

With her underneath him, he set a punishing rhythm that had her crying out with every thrust. Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him even deeper within her with each stroke.

It was raw and animistic, their bodies crashing together. She arched her back off the mattress, meeting his thrusts halfway. Her hands roamed his back, fingers leaving trails of fire wherever they touched.

"Feels so good, Cal," she breathed out, her voice thick and heady with desire. Her eyes were wide and glassy, gazing up at him like he was her savior.

He could only grunt in response, too lost in the sensation of her body gripping him tight. His hands found her breasts, thumbing over her nipples until she was writhing beneath him. The sight of her falling apart was doing crazy things to his self-control.

"Cal," she cried out, her voice breaking as she succumbed to the pleasure coursing through her body. He could feel her walls contracting around him, the waves of her orgasm tipping him over the edge.

"Yeah... fuck... Ellie!" he gasped, his own release hitting him like a freight train. His vision blurred at the edges, and all he could focus on was Ellie beneath him, her body shaking with the aftershocks of her climax.

Slowly, he came back to reality, the world outside their bubble starting to filter in. Their ragged breathing filled the room as they lay there entwined, neither willing to move.

Finally pulling himself together, he rolled onto his side and pulled Ellie against him, her back against his chest. He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her shoulder lightly, his nerve endings still buzzing from the multiple rounds of mind-blowing sex.

"Can't move. Don't want to," Ellie murmured into the quiet, her voice laced with smug satisfaction that only post-sex endorphins could bring.

Cal chuckled against the shell of her ear, his chest vibrating against her back. "Yeah, me neither," he agreed, nipping at her earlobe before letting his mouth drift lower, placing soft kisses across her shoulder and neck. But reality had a way of intruding, and his mind was already drifting back to the tapes and journal they'd found.

"Shit," he muttered under his breath.

"What is it?" Ellie asked, her voice drowsy.

"I hate to ruin this, but we can't stay in bed all night."

She groaned, but after a moment, she nodded against him. "Yeah, yeah, you're right. Just give me another minute... or ten."

He smiled down at her, caressing a stray strand of hair away from her face. Her glasses lay discarded on the makeshift nightstand nearby, revealing the freckles that dotted across the bridge of her nose.

Ellie Summers was stubborn as hell, smarter than anyone he knew, and beautiful in ways he didn't have words for. He was hopelessly wrapped around her finger, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

"Ten minutes," he murmured, his fingers tracing down her side. "Then we get back to work."