As he makes his plea to me, his voice is laced with pain. I don’t know why it surprises me so much. Maybe because I had this vision of him leading the perfect life, able to have any woman he wants. But now that I know the ache he still carries from having his heart broken, I can understand why he’d be hesitant. We’ve both been hurt by people we once trusted, but in different ways.
Regardless, Wes is ready to jump in feet first, take a risk on something that scares the shit out of him. Just like he helped me forget about my fear of heights on that Ferris wheel, like he soothed me after that snake slithered over me, like he risked his own life when I was seconds away from getting hit by a truck, I know I can face my fears with him at my side.
Placing my hand over his on my chest, I squeeze. “It’s yours, Wes. Just… Promise you’ll be gentle with it. You don’t understand the kind of power you hold over me.”
“It’s the same power you hold over me. You have my word. I’ll keep it safe. Keep you safe.”
A lone teardrop slides down my cheek. “That’s all I need to know.”
He covers my lips with his and places a hand on the small of my back, steering me toward the bed and lowering me onto the surface. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I run my fingers up and down his back, reveling in the tautness of his muscles against my hands. He tears away from me, chest heaving as he rips off his t-shirt. He’s about to lower himself back to me, but I stop him, pressing my hand to his chest.
“What’s wrong?” he asks frantically.
I raise myself to sitting. “I want to look at you.”
“Is that right?” He smirks, eyes dancing with delight in the darkness.
Biting my lower lip, I nod.
“Okay then. I’m at your complete disposal.” He leans back, kneeling on the mattress.
I adjust my position, scrambling to my knees. When I scrape my fingers down his firm muscles, he releases a hiss.
“God, your touch drives me crazy.”
I glance down at his pajama pants. “I see that.”
Emboldened, I smooth my hand down the hard planes of his defined abs, my motions slow as I examine his body before landing on his erection. He inhales sharply.
Leaning into him, I take his earlobe between my teeth. “I feel that.”
Desperation takes over, and he palms my back, yanking me against him, his kiss hot and heavy as his free hand roams my frame. Grasping the hem of my sweater, he pulls out of our kiss long enough to lift it over my head before slamming his mouth back to mine.
I moan, the sensation of flesh against flesh causing the flames inside me to burn hot and impervious. Mouth to mouth. Chest to chest. Heart to heart.
He reaches around me, deftly unhooking my bra. His stare penetrates my skin and pierces my soul as he leisurely lowers the straps down my arms.
He gently cups my face in his hand, the gesture at complete odds with the ferocity with which he just kissed me. I melt into him, closing my eyes, basking in the affection vibrating through him.
“If it’s too much at any point, tell me to stop. Okay?”
“Wes,” I begin, my chest heaving as desire scorches through my veins.
“Yes?”
I dig my fingers into his hair, pulling his face toward mine. “Don’t stop.”
With a groan, he presses his mouth to mine. This kiss is less hungry, but still brimming with need. His hand moves to my back as he lowers me to the mattress once more, settling between my thighs.
He pulls back, his eyes briefly locking with mine before appreciating the rest of my body. His light touch roams my frame. When he ghosts against a nipple, I inhale sharply, the slight grazing of his hand against the sensitive skin scalding me.
“Is this okay?” he murmurs seductively.
“Yes,” I exhale, desperation building inside me. I’m not sure how much more of this I can take. It’s the sweetest torture. The cruelest oblivion.
With slow movements, he lowers his mouth to my chest, teasing my nipple.
“Is this okay?” he repeats.
“God, yes.” I melt into the mattress, savoring this temporary bliss. But the warmth of his mouth on my breast only increases my craving to feel him on other parts of me. “More.”
When he bares his teeth, scrapping slightly, I yelp, then moan, digging my nails