Chapter 12 - Vivian

Whatever was left of my anger dissolved as Ari held my jaw in his hands and deepened the kiss, moving like he couldn't believe how it felt either.

The words he interrupted completely left my mind, along with whatever else I planned on saying. At that moment, none of it seemed to matter, and I could only focus on the flickers of pleasure that moved through me as his lips caressed mine.

Finally, that curiosity of mine had been answered, and I wasn't disappointed by what I found out.

It felt incredible to kiss him, somewhat to my dismay.

That sensation alone made it nearly impossible for me to hate him, even if something in me wanted to try and hold on to that sentiment.

His skin against mine made me long for more of that contact, and to never find myself without it again.

I didn't know what had come over me, but I knew it was too addictive to give up.

Ari let out a content breath as he leaned even closer, forcing my back against the countertop as he kissed me so roughly I nearly fell off the stool. He caught me, chuckling as he slipped his arms underneath my legs, hoisted me up, and propped me up on the island.

My stomach flipped at the swift movement, amazed by the sheer strength that seemed so casual to him.

But the thought faded as he slipped between my legs and held my waist, too eager to give either of us a break from those fiery kisses. Not that I wanted him to, anyway.

My heart raced at the feeling of his hands against me, soaking in his warmth and how strangely comforting it was to know his touch after cohabitating with him for weeks.

Testing the waters as that curiosity claimed me, I put a hand against his chest and dragged my fingertips down the front of him, in awe of the sheer wall of muscle he possessed. I felt every ridge and bump, noting just how strong his abdomen felt.

Ari hummed into my mouth as he pulled my bottom lip between his teeth, biting down just enough to make me squirm.

My skin felt like it was on fire all the while he teased me, exploring my body with his hands without really doing much about it, much to my frustration.

But the moment he pulled back and dipped down to kiss my neck, I couldn't stop my eyes from closing as I took it all in. Those touches felt even more erotic as he occasionally dragged his teeth against my skin in between each one, making me shiver beneath him.

I wasn't good at hiding how greatly he affected me, or how badly I needed him, and while it was vaguely embarrassing, I could tell Ari didn't mind for even a second. Every time I let go of a breathy moan or squirmed from how intense his touch was, he'd chuckle or hum his amusement against my skin, only stoking that desire growing within me.

"I know we didn't start off on the right foot," Ari murmured against my collarbone as he pressed a final kiss there before stepping back enough to get a better look at me. He towered over me as he reached for the zipper on my hoodie and slowly pulled it down, revealing the black bralette I wore underneath it. His eyes darkened. "But if you'll let me, I can try and make it up to you."

His words sucked all the moisture from my mouth, forcing me to swallow back the lump in my throat. Color moved into my cheeks and every fiber of my being wanted to know what he had in mind.

His fingers reached for the slouchy sweatpants that hung from my hips, letting them tease the skin beneath the waistband. "Would you like that?"

My ears burned as he looked down at me with that suggestive haze in his eyes, matching the lust festering within me, too. I nodded sheepishly, too embarrassed to say anything else.

"Come on now," Ari murmured, freeing one of his hands to tilt my chin up, forcing me to lock eyes with him. "Use your words, sweetheart."

Swallowing again, it took all the courage I had within me to say anything, recalling how I had no trouble fighting him earlier. Those words had come from a place of anger and passion, but as I sat there perched on the countertop, needy for whatever he had to offer to the point of almost feeling ashamed about it, it felt impossible to form them.

"Yes, please," I managed, unable to escape the blazing heat from moving through my skin.

Ari chuckled and lowered his lips until they were inches from mine. "So polite."

Excitement sparked within my stomach as he pressed a light kiss against my mouth, barely giving me any relief from how pent-up I felt.

"I'll see what I can do," he said, returning both hands to my waistband as he secured his fingers around it. "Lift."

Doing as I was told while my heart flipped with anticipation, I hoisted myself up as he easily pulled the sweatpants down in a single motion, tossing them aside carelessly. As I lowered myself against the countertop, I hissed quietly at how cold the surface was through my panties.

"Don't worry, you'll need that to cool off soon enough," Ari teased with a knowing grin as he lifted my thighs and forced me onto my back.

Too desperate to care what position he wanted me in, I tried my best to ignore the chill of it, and I was too preoccupied with how he lowered himself closer to my core with his hands holding my thighs up.

The moment I felt his breath fanning against my heat, I couldn't contain that neediness inside me.

That frustration lingered as he left a few sloppy kisses against my inner thighs first, making sure to draw out how much I needed him, riling me up for his amusement.

My breath hitched the second I felt his tongue through the remaining fabric separating us, using the slightest pressure to tease me even more. My legs tensed as he continued, slowly exploring and making me whine for more.

Ari hummed against me and slowly hooked a finger in the material, just barely pushing it to the side. "Looks like you need this as much as I do, princess."

While the new nickname was tempting to rebuke, the desire to resist him disappeared the moment his tongue returned, this time with minimal restraints.

A moan choked out of me as that slippery warmth embraced me, not leaving a single inch untouched. Pleasure shot through me and tingled across my skin, spurring more of that arousal to flood my system.

His grip on my thighs tightened as I squirmed from his expert tongue, forced to pin me down to keep me from moving. He chuckled at my reaction before busying himself once again, not letting up despite how overwhelming it felt.

My mouth fell open as he quickened his movements, flicking his tongue against my clit and greedily devouring me like that was his only chance. As much as I didn't want to fuel his ego, I couldn't stop myself from moaning.

His ministrations were addictive, but I knew it wasn't enough. With every touch and teasing movement he made, I only needed more of him.

"Ari…" I murmured breathlessly, so overcome by how incredible it felt that I was at war with myself, both not wanting it to end, and feeling greedy for the main event.

"I know, sweetheart," he said gruffly between my legs, leaving a final kiss there before he took the panties in his hands and tore them, to my surprise.

Before I could say anything, he tossed them away and hooked his arms underneath my thighs to pull me closer to the edge. His lips were on mine in a second, feeding that never-ending lust inside me.

But the sound of his cargo pants being shuffled off and the break in the exchange as pulled his tee over his head made anticipation pulse between my legs.

Seeing him in only his black briefs made something come alive within me, and I couldn't stop myself from staring at how perfectly sculpted his body was. He looked like an art piece, and I couldn't get enough.

Ari chuckled as he closed the space between us again and reached for the waistband of his briefs. "As much as I don't mind you admiring me, we have something to get to."

Another blush burned my cheeks at being caught, but given how hot my face was anyway, it didn't seem to matter.

Instead, the last of his clothes was thrown away, and his hands caressed my thighs as he secured my lips with his, urging me to lean back on my elbows.

I did as he wanted, too worked up to refuse him, or to delay for another moment.

A chill moved through me as the pressure of his cock weighed against my core as he teased me again, letting his length glide through my arousal.

We both tried to swallow back our moans at the sensation, to no avail. It was pointless to hold back when we both wanted it more than anything.

He slowly moved his hips back and forth as he kissed me, only pausing long enough to line himself up.

That initial connection as he pushed inside nearly made me break. That rush of intensity overcame me, forcing me to gasp at the sensation. Ari hummed his approval as he held me there and slowly filled me.

I could hardly believe how big he was, and just how perfect every inch of him felt. Thankfully, he was careful with every movement as he held me close.

By the time I couldn't take any more of him, Ari dropped his forehead to rest against mine as he pulled in a breath, seemingly fighting back against how good it felt. Steadying himself, he slowly drew his hips back and entered me again with less resistance.

We both moaned at the rush of pleasure that rained over us, making everything we had been through already feel worth it. Instinctively, I reached for him, desperate for something to hold on to.

Ari cursed under his breath while he developed a smooth rhythm, not afraid to squeeze my thigh with one hand while the other kept my opposite side pinned down. Even if our bodies couldn't be perfectly flush in that position, he still did everything he could to keep us close.

Even if he wore a hard exterior and was the leader of his family, I had the feeling he needed that intimacy as much as I did. To know the feeling of each other's touch, regardless of the unfortunate start to our marriage.

With every thrust, I could hardly take how overwhelming it was to be fed that unmistakable bliss again and again. How he had so much power behind him, and it all pushed me closer to the edge.

There was no point in holding back my moans then, especially not while Ari couldn't accomplish the same. Even if his sounds were reserved for muttered groans and breathy exhales, he was just as affected by it all.

As he rutted into me, I could tell Ari was desperate for more, and he confirmed the thought the moment he yanked me closer and I ended up flat on my back again.

The moment I settled into place, the angle of that position completely changed, making my jaw slack from the shock of it. With his relentless pace, he hit the same sinful place again and again, grunting as he gave me his all.

Stars were already burning into my vision as I took it, disbelieving how he was capable of making my eyes go bleary, how one man could make me feel never-ending pleasure.

The more that addictive sensation cloaked me, the harder my body clenched in anticipation as the coil tightened within me, threatening to snap at any moment.

Ari reached up and pulled my bralette down, letting my breasts spill out as I arched my back, far too overwhelmed to stay still.

He hummed his approval once again, reaffirming that he enjoyed my reactions and exactly how I was crumbling for him.

Once Ari seemed to zero in despite how his thrusts became sloppier, my throat felt raw from moaning for him, and it almost seemed to seal shut as he hit that spot enough times to make me clench around him.

Even as that haze consumed me, I didn't miss his guttural sound as he continued to thrust despite my approaching orgasm. Instead, I could hardly breathe as everything came to a head, and that ecstasy flitted through my system.

I gripped his biceps hard as I came undone, crying out for him.

Ari clenched his jaw through a few final thrusts before he grunted and reached his release, his hips quivering. He braced himself against the countertop as he let it wash over him, soaking in that bliss.

A warm fog filled me as I rode out that high, not caring about what led to that moment, only how incredible it felt.

As Ari caught his breath, he pulled me closer and put his forehead against the crook of my neck, letting me feel it against my collarbone.

Too dazed and content to do otherwise, I let it happen and allowed myself to appreciate the afterglow. Absently, I traced shapes against his bicep and wondered what was next for us.

We had just crossed a line in our relationship, and we'd never be able to walk it back.