when he finally spoke.
"You're trying to kill me, aren't you?" he said, slowly withdrawing before lying on me again.
"And why is that?" I asked when I could speak again.
"Because everything you do is so fucking hot. It was turning me on as much to watch you as it was doing it to you," he answered, running his hand up my torso until it grazed over my breast. He dropped his mouth to mine without saying another word. His desire was apparent as his tongue made love to my mouth, moving in and out and making my body respond again. I could feel him hot and hard against my thigh and I shifted again, hoping he'd get the hint of where I wanted him the most.
"We're getting there, sweetheart," he said, dragging his lips from mine and trailing them down my collarbone until his mouth closed fully around my nipple.
"Give me a second," he said, reaching over for the box he'd left on my table earlier. I shifted against him, ready to feel him inside me as he extracted a condom from its package.
His mouth found my ear as he settled between my legs again. "Tell me what you want," he whispered huskily.
"I want you," I said, unsure how to tell him exactly what I wanted.
"Where?" he breathed, pulling my earlobe into his mouth making me buck beneath him.
"There," I said, lifting my hips for emphasis.
"Here?" he nudged, moving my legs farther apart so he could settle fully against me.
"Yes," I moaned as he slid inside me.
"God, you feel so fucking good," he said, straining as he moved slowly in me.
Unable to take the torture anymore, I raised my hips, taking him fully. My fingers raked hard against his back, pulling him against me. He lost all self-control as our bodies moved together. His lips found mine through labored breathing, and I could feel the wave building as he called out my name.
"Oh, Ashton, fuck," he called, moving faster and faster. My body felt like it would explode until we reached the climax, finishing together.
I felt completely spent with all my limbs like jelly. "Holy crap, is it always like that?" I asked as he rested heavily on top of me.
"It's never been like that," he answered, propping himself on an elbow.
"Really? You're not just trying to make me feel good?"
"Really," he answered, dropping a light kiss on my lips before rising off me and heading for my bathroom.
A few minutes later, Nathan returned and switched off the light before climbing into bed. I tucked myself under his arm, sighing with satisfaction as he stroked my hair. I flushed slightly, remembering how I had responded so completely to his touch. I had been unprepared for how consuming making love was and how everything else of importance melted away. All I could focus on now was how badly I wanted him to keep touching me.
Chapter 16: The Pledge
Nathan
"Sleep," I said, when she shifted her hips in my direction.
"Not likely," she breathed.
"You're exhausted. You'll be asleep before you know it. Just relax," I coaxed.
She shifted again and I tightened my hold on her.
"I'm not all that tired. We could if you wanted," she whispered in the dark. I might have taken her up on it if not for the stifled yawn I heard from her.
"Sweetheart, when we go again, I want you to be completely alert. Now, go to sleep," I encouraged.
I thought she was going to argue more, but she relaxed against me. "Thank you for an unforgettable night," she said.
I chuckled. "Anytime. Thank you for being you."
"Mmm-hmm," she said as sleep dragged her under.
A moment later, her body fell completely relaxed in my arms, letting me know she was out. I was still filled with a little too much adrenaline to sleep. Of course, it wasn't much of a hardship to hold her slender body in my arms, and I didn't mind being awake for it. She was equally beautiful in her sleep and by far the most engaging woman I had ever been with, making all others pale in comparison. Her quick wit and honesty on most issues pulled me in, making me want to learn everything about her. I couldn't help wishing she would trust me enough to confide her secrets. Her lies about never having a serious relationship had bothered me more than I had expected. I knew my response had confused her as I had fought to control my anger. The fact that she felt she had