Chapter 21

Icould see the concern in his eyes, the uncertainty. But I didn't want him to stop, didn't want him to question this. I wanted him. More than I'd ever wanted anything else, I wanted him. The anticipation that had been building in me all day was now reaching its peak.

"I mean it," I repeated, my voice coming out breathless. "Don't stop."

His gaze roamed over my face, his eyes piercing mine as he searched for any signs of doubt or hesitation. I held his gaze steady, firm in my resolve.

He nodded, a slow grin spreading over his face. "As you wish, Mary Ellen."

He leaned forward, capturing my lips with his in another heated exchange. His fingers trailed a fiery path down my neck, tracing the curve of my collarbone before dipping down to the neckline of my dress. I couldn't believe I was about to have sex for the first time. I wasn't scared. I truly believed he was the right one.

His fingers caught hold of the zipper at the back of my dress, pulling it down slowly. I could feel the dress loosen its hold on me as he peeled it off my shoulders, letting it pool at my feet. I was standing in front of him, exposed and vulnerable, and yet, I found a sense of liberation in this vulnerability.

His gaze was full of admiration and hunger, but there was a tenderness there too. He took a step closer, his warm hand tracing the outline of my bra before reaching behind me to unclasp it. As he did so, his lips found my neck, planting soft kisses as if marking a trail.

I shivered at the contact, my body on fire under his touch. He took a step back to look at me. His eyes were dark with desire as they took in the sight of me. His fingers gently traced the swell of my breasts, causing a rush of arousal to surge through me. His gaze met mine, reflecting the very desire I felt burning within me.

"Beautiful," he murmured, a look of pure admiration passing over his features. His hands cupped my breasts, thumbs brushing over my sensitive nipples.

I let out a soft moan and dropped my head back. It was as if he was worshipping me with his touch.

He leaned in to kiss me again, pressing me against the wall. One hand moved to cradle the back of my head while the other traced down my side. His touch sent sparks of anticipation crackling through my veins. His lips traveled down to my collarbone, marking me with his kisses like a trail blazing down my chest.

He reached for the waistband of my panties, pausing momentarily to allow me the chance to stop him. I grabbed his wrist and pulled his hand closer. He slid the lace fabric down my thighs until it pooled on the floor. I gave him a small smile, a reassurance that I was okay.

He looked up at me with an intense gaze, one that seemed to see right into the secret heart of me. "You're good?" he asked quietly.

I nodded. "I am. Can you take off your clothes?"

He smiled and stepped back a couple of inches. "Of course."

I watched him take off his jacket and shirt. His bare chest revealed more tattoos and a toned stomach and chest. He was definitely a fine male specimen. I couldn't resist reaching out and running my hand down his chest.

He took hold of my hand, guiding it over the ridges and valleys of his muscled torso. His skin was warm beneath my touch, a thin layer of perspiration making him glisten. His heart was beating wildly under my palm, matching the rhythm of mine.

He reached for his belt buckle, undoing it with a swift tug. I undid the button on his pants and carefully slid the zipper down. He kicked off his shoes and slid his pants down his legs, leaving him standing before me in just his boxer briefs. I tried to keep my gaze steady, but it kept being drawn to the noticeable bulge straining against the tight fabric.

"Still good?" he asked.

I swallowed hard. "Yes."

He reached down for his pants and pulled a condom from his wallet. I raised an eyebrow. "I'm pretty sure we've always been told that's not a smart place to keep a condom."

He flashed a grin. "I actually just put this in here."

"Oh really?" I giggled softly. "Just in case?"

He stepped forward and kissed me. "I wanted to make sure I was ready in case this moment happened. Not that I was pushing for it. But I wasn't going to turn you down."

"I'm very happy for your foresight." I smiled.

He chuckled, sliding his hands over my waist and drawing me closer. The atmosphere around us was so charged, I was sure if anyone else were to walk in the room now, they'd feel it too.

He led me to the bed and gently laid me down. He stretched out beside me, kissing my neck while his hand trailed down my stomach. "Tell me?—"

"Don't stop," I murmured, knowing what he was going to ask. "I've made up my mind. I want you. I want this with you."

Swallowing visibly, his hand moved over the curve of my hip, his touch sending shockwaves through me. He lowered his lips to mine in a soft kiss, one that quickly deepened into something far more passionate.

The kissing almost distracted me from his hand sliding between my legs. I jerked when his fingers brushed over my sensitive flesh.

He traced a light path, exploring the heated terrain, evoking soft sighs that coiled in the back of my throat. His strokes were maddeningly gentle, teasing and taunting, driving me to the edge of sanity.

"My sweet," he murmured against my skin. His voice was smooth and dark and sinfully rich. His nearness was intoxicating, a heady mixture of masculine scent and raw sexual energy that I was quickly becoming drunk on. He pushed my legs open before exploring me. Ever so slowly, he pushed one finger inside me. He pushed it deeper, stretching me and then rubbing over my clit.

I writhed beneath him, lost in the waves of pleasure that were beginning to crash over me. He watched my reactions, kissing away my moans and gasps.

"More," I whimpered, grabbing his wrist in a plea for more than just his gentle exploration.

He complied and added another finger into me. My back arched off the bed as he started moving them rhythmically. His other hand was on my breast, thumb circling around my nipple. The combination of sensations had me shaking with desperate need. I clung to him, my nails digging into his broad shoulders as a mounting wave of ecstasy enveloped me.

"I've got you," he whispered. "Come for me."

His words were both a command and an offer. Something deep within me erupted. I let out a sharp cry as the pleasure burst through me, leaving me shuddering and breathless beneath him. He continued to move his fingers inside me, drawing out my orgasm until I was gasping for air, my body limp and spent.

He quickly shed his last piece of clothing and ripped open the condom package. I watched as he carefully rolled it onto his hard cock. His very action was so full of sensuality, it made my heart race.

I licked my lips in anticipation. His eyes flickered up to meet mine, dark pools of desire that promised untold pleasure. "Are you ready?" he asked, his voice hoarse with lust but still filled with concern. I nodded, biting down on my lower lip.

He crawled over me, doing his best to keep his weight off me. He smoothed my hair away from my face. "I don't want to mess your hair or makeup," he said with a smile.

"Thank you."

I could feel his throbbing cock against my stomach. This was it. This was the moment I had waited years for. He lowered himself, aligning his body with mine, pausing only to make sure I was comfortable. His fingers traced a path down my body, causing me to shiver in anticipation. Then he positioned his cock at my entrance as he looked into my eyes for any signs of hesitation. Finding none, he pushed forward, breaching my barrier with a slow and steady determination.

A gasp escaped me as I felt him fill me up. He caught my cry of surprise with his lips as he waited patiently for me to adjust to his size. Once the discomfort eased away and I gave him a nod, he began to move slowly, pulling out almost completely before sinking back into me with a gentle thrust.

Each motion drew a gasp from my lips, our breaths mingling together. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as our bodies found their rhythm.

His thrusts became more demanding, driving deeper into me with each stroke. His hand gripped my hip, holding me steady as he continued his relentless pace. The pain had long since given way to pleasure, every nerve ending singing with the ecstasy of being claimed by him.

His eyes never left mine as he moved within me, his gaze intent and heated. "You feel so good," he murmured against my lips, his words amplifying the raw pleasure coursing through my veins. The way he was looking at me, as if I were the most precious thing in the world, had my heart swelling with emotion.

His other hand moved up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing against my lower lip. Every touch, every stroke, every kiss set my nerves ablaze. This was exactly how it was supposed to be, his body over mine, our hearts beating in sync.

He shifted his position slightly, hitting a new angle that had me crying out in ecstasy. I clung to his shoulders as wave after wave of pleasure swept over me. His name was a mantra on my lips, spilling out in a series of gasps and cries.

His pace quickened as he neared his own release. Each thrust rocked my body and had me begging for more. His hands moved to grip my hips, holding me steady as he drove into me with a fervor that left me breathless.

"I'm close," he warned, sweat beading on his forehead, his eyes screwed shut in concentration. I nodded, ready to ride the wave with him.

His movements became even more erratic, each thrust punctuated with a grunted exhale. He seemed intently focused on reaching that pinnacle of pleasure we were both teetering on the edge of. His breath hitched in his throat as he buried himself deep inside me one last time.

The world stopped as I watched him come undone above me. Seeing him in such raw, unfiltered ecstasy sent another wave of pleasure coursing through me, causing me to tighten around him and cry out his name.

Our bodies trembled together, riding out the aftershocks of our shared climax. He collapsed onto me, his body heavy but comforting. His breaths were hot against my neck, his arms cradling me close as our heartbeats began to slow.

Neither of us spoke. The silence was filled with our ragged breathing and the dull ache of satisfaction. His head lifted from my shoulder, his eyes meeting mine, searching for something.

I reached up, brushing a damp lock of hair out of his eyes. "That was amazing."

"Yes. You're okay?"

I smiled shyly at him. "I'm better than okay."

"Thank you for trusting me," he said with emotion in his voice that made me smile.

"Thank you for being gentle and patient. I would love to stay here with you all night, but we should probably get going."