Chapter Four

Don

The moment Leah’s lips touch mine again, something snaps inside me. Every ounce of control I thought I had is suddenly dangling by a thread, dangerously close to breaking. Her innocence is palpable, yet there’s no mistaking the way she’s responding, the way her body presses against mine, soft and warm. It takes every bit of willpower I have not to completely lose myself in her.

Her hands grip the front of my shirt, pulling me closer, and I feel her hesitation melt away, replaced by something deeper, more instinctual. It stirs something fierce in me, something primal, but I remind myself she’s fragile. This is her first time. I need to take it slow, no matter how badly I want to give in.

I trail my hand from her cheek down to her neck, feeling her shiver under my touch. Her skin is so soft, so perfect, like she was crafted just for me. My fingers graze the chain of the necklace she’s wearing—*my* necklace. Of course, she doesn't know it's mine. Not yet, at least. Seeing it on her, knowing it’s been close to her heart all this time, ignites something inside me I didn’t think was possible. It’s like a part of me has been with her all along.

I pull back, just enough to look at her. Her eyes are half-lidded, her lips slightly parted, flushed from our kiss. She’s breathtaking, and for a second, all I can do is stare, unable to believe she’s here with me. That I’m the one touching her. The one she wants.

“You sure about this, sunshine?” My voice is rougher than I intend, but the need to hear her say it, to know she’s ready, is stronger than my pride.

She nods, her green eyes locking onto mine, and there’s no mistaking the desire flickering there. It’s innocent, but it’s real. “I’m sure,” she whispers, and her hand reaches up to cup my face, pulling me back down to her. Her lips are softer than before, more sure of themselves, and that’s all the confirmation I need.

I ease her back onto the bed, every movement deliberate, slow. I want her to feel every second of this. I want her to know that she’s safe with me, that I’ll take care of her, even if it kills me to hold back the flood of emotions and desire coursing through my veins. My fingers trace the curve of her hips, savoring every inch of her like she’s a masterpiece I’ve waited a lifetime to touch. She's still wearing the damn costume from the auction and now it's serving its purpose of driving me crazy.

I let my hand slide over her left breast, gently grazing my thumb over her hardening nipple. Her breathing hitches, a soft moan escaping her mouth into mine. The sound sends a bolt of desire straight through me. I fight the urge to rush, to throw her over my lap and spank her till she comes all over my knee, then pull her against my cock and fuck her till we're both mindless with pleasure.

Slow down, Don. You're going to scare her away.

I let my hands wander, but I force myself to go slow. I want her to feel cherished, not overwhelmed. I want her to remember this night as something beautiful, not just lust and heat. My lips brush the side of her neck, and she arches into me, a soft, breathless sound escaping her lips that sends a rush of fire through me. Her fingers tighten in my shirt, pulling me closer, her body reacting to every touch, every kiss. She's trembling, but not from fear.

I kiss my way down her throat, savoring the feel of her pulse racing beneath my lips, the warmth of her skin is intoxicating. Every inch of her is perfection, and knowing this is her first time makes me even more determined to make it special. I pause, my breath hot against her skin as I gently trace the neckline of her shirt with my fingertips. “Wanna get out of this?” I murmur, my voice gruff with desire.

She nods shyly, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment, but she doesn't take her eyes off mine. Slowly, I peel the ridiculous costume off her body, until she's lying before me in all her naked glory.

Damn.

"You're beautiful," I whisper, my voice rough with restraint. "You're so damn beautiful, Leah."

She blushes, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of pink, and I feel the familiar tightness in my chest. And cock. I've never wanted anyone this badly before, and the intensity of it is overwhelming.

She shivers slightly beneath me, and I lift my head to look at her. Her green eyes are wide, filled with trust, but there's a flicker of uncertainty there too. I know she's nervous—hell, I am too. I lower my lips to hers again, kissing her softly, gently, my hand moving to her waist, pulling her closer. Then I slide my hand up her thighs, slowly slipping a finger inside her, swallowing a harsh curse as her heat coats my hand.

Hell, she's dripping.

Her breath hitches, her body freezing at the intrusion. “It's alright, love,” I murmur gruffly, kissing her neck. I feel her body relax against mine, and my heart soars at how easily she's willing to trust me, to give herself to me. I slide my finger out and slide it in again, setting a rhythm until her breathing becomes erratic. Then I lower my mouth to her puckered nipple, letting out a satisfied moan when she arches into my mouth.

God, she's so responsive. Fucking perfect.

I want to go slow, to take my time, but the way she's touching me, the way her hands move over my chest, tracing the lines of my tattoos, it's driving me insane. I've never felt this kind of heat before, this kind of need. And she's fueling it with every shy touch, every soft moan that slips past her lips.

Despite the need burning through my veins, I take my time, letting my hands and mouth explore her body, memorizing every curve, every dip, every shiver. It's taking everything in me to remind myself that this is all new for her, that I shouldn't unleash the beast within me… I'm not sure she can take it.

“Leah," I murmur against her lips, then I kiss her again, deeper this time, pouring everything I'm feeling into it. I trail my hands for her curvy hips to her lower back, letting out a deep moan of satisfaction as I splay my fingers over her ass cheeks. They're soft and thick and the thought of driving my cock through them has me growing impossibly harder.

“Fuck,” I mutter to myself, slapping my palms over her ass. She lets out a muffled sound, something caught between a gasp and a moan. I trail my mouth down her chest to her flat stomach until I'm nestled between her legs. Gently parting her pussy with my thumb, I swipe my tongue over her wetness, tasting her wetness. She lets out another shocked gasp, gripping my hair as a violent shiver racks her body. Her body arches tautly, her hips rocking unconsciously into my mouth. Closing my lips over her clit, I apply gentle pressure, loving the way her nails are digging into my scalp. This makes me take things a step further. I start to push my tongue into her, tongue-fucking her, slowly at first, then faster until her body starts to vibrate beneath me. She screams my name, her nails digging harder into my skin. I hold her steady, my hands planted firmly on her thighs as her body succumbs to a powerful climax. She stiffens as the last wave of orgasm racks her body then throws her head back on the bed with a ragged breath. I pull back just enough to look at her. God, she looks so beautiful, with her hair in a gorgeous disarray, her sparkly green eyes half lidded with pleasure and her swollen lips slightly parted– the sight sends blood rushing to my cock, and I know that I have to claim her right here and right now.

Rising above her, I cup her face in my palm, gently caressing her cheek with my thumb. "I want you," I say, my voice rough. “I need you, Leah…”

For some reason, I want her to know that this isn't just about tonight, that this moment means a lot to me, but I lack the words to express my feelings. Turns out, I didn't even need words. Leah reaches up to touch my face, her fingers brushing over my jawline with a tenderness that threatens to undo me completely.

“I need you too, Don,” she whispers and that's all it takes.

I rise swiftly to my feet, pulling my shirt over my head, quickly followed by my pants. Then I return to the bed. With a careful, deliberate movement, I ease into her.

“Oh, Don,” she gasps, burying her head in the crook of my neck.

“I'm sorry, sunshine,” I say, kissing her hair. I've never had the pleasure of sharing a woman's first time until now, but I’ve heard it's a painful experience for them. The thought of causing my sunshine pain is unbearable, but this moment is inevitable. I can only make sure she's comfortable. “Are you in a lot of pain?”

“Just a little,” she says, smiling up at me and I can't help but think of how brave she is. Then she starts to move her hips against me in a slow, circular motion and I instantly lose my train of thought.

“Fucking hell, Leah,” I mutter, my voice coming out in a harsh growl. “Where the hell did you learn to do that?”

“Do what?” she asks, blinking up innocently at me. I chuckle, muttering a soft curse under my breath.

Damn, she's so sweet. I'm a lucky bastard.

“You'll be the death of me, love,” I mumble, gently kissing her forehead. Then I slowly slide out of her only to push in again, grunting at the feeling of her tightness around my cock. I start to move faster, thrusting deeper with each stroke. I make sure every movement is deliberate, savoring the way she responds to me, the way her body melts beneath mine. It's more than I imagined—more intense, more consuming. The way she moves against me, the way she gasps my name, it's almost too much. But it's perfect. She's perfect.

Suddenly, the world tilts out of focus and I can feel myself getting closer to the edge. But it's not time just yet… I continue to plunge into her harder and faster until she screams my name, her back snapping inward as her body starts to convulse. I throw my head back, letting out a bestial growl as I let go of the control I've held on to for so long. I close my eyes, letting my body and soul and heart submerge in the overwhelming sensations that flood my body at our climax. And when it's over, when we're lying there, wrapped up in each other, our breathing still ragged, I whisper to her the words that have lingered in my heart for the past year, “I love you, Leah.”