Is this normal? To feel such a quick, intense connection with someone?
Grasping my jaw, he tilts my chin, “Penny for them?” He brushes his fingers across the nape of my neck. A shock of electricity shoots down my spine, pooling between my legs. Desire burns, fire raining down all around us, setting us ablaze.
“What do you need?” he groans, long fingers sliding into my hair and tugging, exposing my throat.
“I need you,” I moan.
The tension in his body dissipates as he dilutes right in front of me, a sigh wisping from his lips as our eyes lock, and our souls greet their mate re-introducing old friends to the new bodies they inhabit. “You’re so fucking beautiful. More so than I could ever have imagined.”
The clothes are yet another barrier, stopping us from connecting on the level we so desperately need.
“Jack,” I moan, writhing. Tightening his hold in my hair, he drags me forward, his lips latching onto mine in a dominating, heart-rendering kiss. Everything heats as the clash of two forces detonate. His touch is claiming. His hot tongue begs for entry. And I give it. I let go and give in to the need.
At the heart of all this darkness, we seek comfort and light within each other.
Tearing at each other’s clothes, wild and free, we touch, feel, seek more. Lips caress over fevered flesh. Lifting me, he twists our bodies almost violently, placing me beneath him, demanding my legs to part with a nudge of this thighs. Teeth nip at my skin. His hands are everywhere, exploring, tantalizing.
Inhaling sharply, he hesitates, resting his forehead against mine. “Is this real?” he gasps, sweat coating his skin.
“Yes.” I recapture his lips, wrapping my legs around his waist and grinding myself against him, offering, giving permission.
Grasping the back of my neck, his kiss grows rough, possessive. His hard bulge grinds against the apex of my thighs, stroking. Wet need soaks my panties. Tilting my head back to give him access to my throat, I squeeze his ass, pushing him farther into me, needing the friction. When my eyes flutter open, a mirage takes form. My nightmares creep to the surface, taking over my reality. Bracing up, Jack’s powerful shoulders tower above me. The grip of his fingers closes around my throat, and panic seizes my lungs. Visions of my neighbor lying looking up at her killer, dying in fear and all because of me, barrel into me.
“Liz?” Jack croaks, and tears burn the corners of my eyes. I slap at him, my body twisting and turning, struggling to free myself. Jumping up, he scurries away from me, his skin almost white, hands out in front of him. “Did I hurt you? What’s wrong?”
I claw at my throat, desperate to get oxygen into my lungs. A sob pushes its way out as I collapse to the floor.
“I don’t know what to do. Can I touch you?”
Embarrassment and guilt taunt me as the panic subsides. I look up to see Jack terrified. “I’m sorry,” I sob. I’m in his arms in seconds, the strength of him protective. “I’m sorry.”
“Shhh…it’s okay.”
Encompassing me into his arms, he carries me to the kitchen, placing my butt on the counter. A cold breeze blows over my skin, reminding me we’re both topless. Jack’s body is covered in little scars I hadn’t noticed when ravishing him earlier. Toned muscles strain as he pours water into a glass and passes it to me. “Drink.”
“I don’t know what happened.”
Tucking my hair behind my ear in a gentle, affectionate motion, a ghost of a smile touches his lips. “You’ve been through so much.” He sucks his bottom lip into his mouth, closing his eyes briefly. “Too much.”
“So, have you,” I murmur, swigging from the glass and pulling his body between my legs, my fingers dance over the tiny bumps on his chest. “What about all you’ve been through?”
Taking the glass, he kisses the fingertips. “None of that matters now.”
My body sags against his, flesh to flesh, my heart hammers against the ribcage, arousal blooming. “Take me to your bed, Jack,” I beg.
I catch him off guard, his head jerks back, wary eyes search my features for reassurance. “Please,” I beg.
Twenty-Four
Giddiness and nerves fight for dominance inside me as we crash down onto his mattress, I yank at the buttons on his jeans, using my feet to aid them loose. Hungry lips latch onto my nipple, grazing with his teeth before suckling to soothe the sting of sweet torture. Sitting up on his knees, he keeps his eyes locked on mine as he drags my panties down my thighs, bringing my body to life. Using his lips, he traces a path back up my leg, biting the soft flesh of my inner thigh, leaving his mark before dipping between the apex. My chest hitches. Am I dreaming? Digging my hands into his hair, I move him where I need him. When he swipes out with his hot, delicious tongue to part my folds, it sends electric pulsing through my bloodstream. The sensation is so exquisite, I could come from that alone. My thighs encase him as he works me over, tasting, flicking, sucking. My eager body responds to his every touch, writhing, begging for more. When his fingers push inside, peace washes over me. Heat blooms up my cheeks, across my chest. Surrendering moans of approval echo around the room. His returning growls make me feel alive, sexual, beautiful. Stretching his fingers deeper, he curls them to stroke the little bundle of nerves to send me spiraling into ecstasy. Every part of me is hyperaware. Overwhelming pulses of euphoria flood through my veins when I reach the peak of my orgasm, my body shuddering, toes curling. Fuck.
“You’re so beautiful.” He traces his lips up my body, capturing my nipple and sucking before moving to my neck, chin, lips. The hard length of his cock strokes through my folds, each divine movement
