Heart banging in her chest like a drum, she soldiered on passing a few more rooms, all empty, until she came to the last door in the main hallway. Touching her palm to the wood, she closed her eyes, her hearing tuning in to the strong heartbeat inside. Her hand slid down to the knob and pushed it open.
The room wasn’t dark, as the fireplace provided both heat and light. She had expected Reed to be in bed, so she was surprised to find he was by the fireplace. Wearing only his dressing robe, he leaned one elbow on the mantle as he held a glass of wine in the other. The light cast shadows on the angular lines of his face making them look harsher than usual. Yet, she could see past the ruthless, cold surface and just see Reed.
In a split second, his head snapped toward her. Those midnight eyes glittered when they landed on her, and shock registered on his face.
“Elise?”
She closed the door behind her and walked toward him. He seemed frozen, his face still.
“What are you doing here? You can’t—”
She held up a hand to silence him, then took the glass from his hand and placed it on the mantle. Her mind whirled, trying to find the words. Wanting to tell him how sorry she was for trying to push him away and that she understood why he acted the way he did. And that she loved him, and if they only had tonight, then she would rather have that than have nothing at all.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
Without saying a word, she stopped his clock too, then took a step closer until she was a hair’s breadth away from him. Heat from his body radiated toward her, and she reached up and placed a hand on his firm jaw.
“Elise,” he rasped as he snaked a hand around her waist and pulled her to him, his lips pressing firmly against hers in a move that was more caress than kiss. His scent threatened to overwhelm her, and he held her tighter.
She trembled in his arms, her body thrumming with a desire she had never felt before him or ever. That she would give her body for the first time to the man she loved seemed fitting, and if he were the only man she ever knew, that was fine.
Her feet lifted off the ground, and she realized he was carrying her to his bed. He lay her down gently on top of the covers, then positioned himself at her feet. Reaching for the hem of her nightgown, he lifted it up and over her head. Onyx eyes blazed his desire as his gaze feasted on her naked body.
He growled and then swooped down again to take her lips, his mouth devouring hers. He tasted like sweet wine and she found herself getting drunk and heady from his kisses.
A hand cupped her breast teasing the nipple to hardness. A gasp left her lips when he pulled away and lowered his head to tease her other breast, leaving kisses around the soft flesh before sucking the nipple deep into his warm, wet mouth.
“Reed!” She cried out as pleasure unfurled from her belly spreading out like licking flames all over her body. A small cry left her lips when he pushed her body up, and his breath tickled the soft mound of curls between her legs. When his mouth pressed up against her core, she bucked up against him. Large hands held her hips down, and he used his shoulder to nudge her thighs apart baring even more of her to his feasting tongue. When his mouth found her clit, she moaned aloud, moving her hips up at him eagerly. That only made him suck on her nub harder, and when he slipped one finger inside her, she thought she was going to expire from the sensations of pure pleasure.
She fisted her fingers in his thick hair, but he didn’t mind or notice. He was relentless, licking and sucking at her with his tongue while his finger teased her tight passage. The pressure building inside her was too much, and she exploded in an orgasm, her body shaking as tremors of pleasure passed through her.
As she recovered, he got on his knees and reached for the belt of his robe. Pulling at the knot, he shrugged the garment off his shoulders. This time, she was the one feasting on him. Her eyes devoured his broad, muscled shoulders, the well-formed chest and the soft mat of hair sprinkling it leading to a delicious trail down his abs and lower still to his fully-erect cock. Though the low light of the room kept most of him in shadows, her own desire and want made her boldly reach out for him. He didn’t move but allowed her to wrap her fingers around his shaft. She held her breath, feeling his warm, male hardness. Like steel covered in velvet.
“Elise,” he whispered as he gently took her hand away. He moved between her legs, spreading them apart until his hips were at level with hers. “I’m sorry.” He kissed her forehead, then her cheeks, then claimed her mouth again. “I have to hurt you.”
His words were like a knife, gutting her. “You can’t hurt me. Please, Reed. I need you.”
She braced herself as he nudged the tip of his cock against her entrance. His face was twisted in concentration as he filled her, inch by inch. When he stopped, she knew it was going to happen. Arms went around her, and she clung to him, desperate and wanting him. He pushed his hips forward one more
