Thief: The Dove in the Darkness

by Katlynn Rose

  The hot water poured over Ashley, and she struggled to control the lusty emotions that pulsed through her. She didn't want to waste time lingering in the shower, so she rushed herself, making sure the water quickly washed all the suds away. When she stepped out, the towel barely touched her skin except to wrap around her, and she opened the door soaking wet, eager to get back to Lance.

  She found him with a look of concentration on his face, but his expression went slack when he saw her. His eyes met hers, and she couldn't stop the smile that curved the corners of her lips.

  "That was fast," he said simply, apparently not having time to cut through the ropes just yet.

  "I couldn't keep you waiting, now could I?" Ashley smirked as she moved to turn the lamp off, his eyes following her towel clad body the whole way. When she flipped the switch, the room plunged into darkness, but it only took a second for her eyes to adjust as the security light outside filled the room with a soft blue glow.

  She moved to stand over Lance, watching his eyes take in her bare legs, knowing full well that there was light enough in the room for him to see her clearly. Before the butterflies in her stomach got the best of her, she straddled his legs to sit down in his lap again.

  His eyebrow rose as he looked her over, the droplets of water still drying on her skin made her sparkle. "You’re wet," he said with a chuckle.

  She caught the double entendre. Glad the darkness hid her blush, she whispered, "If you only knew."

  "Let me find out." His voice was husky, the mirth gone instantly. His eyes smoldered in the dim light.

  "Maybe," she whispered coyly as she moved her hand along the collar of his shirt. "If you're a good boy." Her finger hooked the top of his shirt and pulled gently, causing the top button to pop free.

  He glanced down at her hands. "Oh, I can be good..."

  "Shhh. I think I like you like this." She was growing bolder. "All wrapped up like a nice little present for me." Her fingers popped the second button on his shirt.

  That's when she noticed his hands were still moving, working to free himself from his bonds. She was going to enjoy him being tied up for as long as she could. Her fingers popped the third button.

  "Kiss me," he demanded, just as he had earlier, but she had other plans. She moved one hand to his face and caressed his bottom lip with her thumb. He responded with a small sigh, his lips parting as she touched him. He moved his mouth over the tip of her thumb, sucking and teasing with his lips. She sucked in a quick, startled breath as she experienced the sensation. When his teeth bit down gently on her skin, her other hand popped the fourth and final button.

  She pulled her hand away from his mouth so she could open his shirt and expose his broad chest. She wanted to explore every inch of him. Her fingertips traced over the heart-shaped patch of hair in the middle of his chest before trailing down to his hard stomach and ending at the thin trail of hair that disappeared into his pants. His smooth, tanned skin was flawless. His body perfect.

  He was watching her the whole time she was examining him. One hand went back to his face while the other continued to caress his torso. "Tell me why..."

  "Why?" His eyebrow rose. "Isn't it obvious?"

  "Maybe. Maybe not." She shrugged as she smiled. She continued to caress his face as she waited for an answer.

  "I love you, Ash." The sincerity in his voice lifted the ton of worry and guilt from her. She closed her eyes, leaning her head forward to rest against his, forehead to forehead. His words stole her breath. "I've loved you for a very long time."

  "I know," she murmured, overcome. Tilting her chin forward, her lips brushed against his. A soft sigh escaped her. "I love you, too," she breathed so softly she was surprised he heard her.

  But she knew he had, and he responded by kissing her gently, his lips pressing against hers so sweetly, so differently than before. It was a kiss filled with love, and she returned it just the same... for a moment. Then passion rose again. Her tongue slipped between her lips to explore his. He responded with his teeth gently pulling on her bottom lip before he kissed her more forcefully. She gasped as she slid her hands inside his shirt and across his back, feeling his hard muscles flex beneath her palms.

  Suddenly, there was a 'POP' and he was free. Ashley squealed with laughter as his arms wrapped around her and pulled her body against him. Her towel began to fall free, and she clutched it to her, suddenly shy.

  "I don't think you'll need that anymore." He smirked, and a tug of war with the towel started. She giggled as she nimbly escaped his grasp, fleeing from his reaching arms, but he was quick. As soon as she was on her feet, he was standing beside her and pulling her against him. She couldn't stifle her excited laughter. He leaned his head into the bend of her neck and kissed her, sending shivers through her body, and the game was over. She couldn’t resist him any longer. Leaning into him, she let him pull her to the bed and gently lay her down. She still gripped the edges of the towel as she rolled onto her stomach, but it barely covered her at all.

  "Why so modest?" he said as his shirt flew to the floor. His pants quickly followed, and she looked over her shoulder at him in awe of his perfect form. He leaned over her, his hands gently moving up her legs, her thighs, her hips. He caught the towel, and she let him pull it away. He kissed her, first on the small of her back, and then moved his way up her body. They were soft, slow kisses that almost tickled, but were driving her wild. She was breathing heavily as he rose to his knees, grabbed her hip and flipped her to her back. Completely exposed to each other, she trembled underneath his gaze. His eyes took in everything as his fingertips traced her body, exploring everything he touched.

  She reached for him, longing to touch him, and ran a hand over his muscled arms. He leaned forward to kiss her stomach softly, sensually. Her hands immediately went to his head, her fingers tangling in his dark hair, and she gripped tightly as his mouth covered the hard peak of her breast. She moaned as his tongue teased the sensitive skin, and she arched her back against him. His kisses continued to sear her flesh as he moved up her chest, her neck, and finally her lips.

  She kissed him back fiercely, her body wanting so much from him. The smell of him, the weight of him, intoxicated her. Ashley's arms and legs wrapped around him, clasping him to her, and he lowered his body against hers.

  "Do you want this?" he whispered against her lips. "Do you want me?"

  "Yes," she moaned, her body aching for him. His hips hovered over her, tantalizing her with the promise of him, but not moving. She begged, "Please, yes! I want you!"

  Lance's hips pressed forward, and he slid easily into her waiting body, both moaning as the tension was finally broken. The burning desire filled with a pleasure so deep it was almost pain, but it was euphoric. She moaned, her fingers once again tangling in his hair as she pulled his mouth to hers. The heat of his body scalded her, and she clung to him as he gently began to rock her back and forth. Her hips matched his rhythm, demanding the bliss he offered.

  Waves of passion rose and fell inside her, building as they grew stronger and stronger until the dam broke. A tidal-wave crashed through her, and her legs squeezed his body tightly as she writhed under him. She threw her head back and was once again arching her body against him, biting her lip in an attempt to stifle the moans. Within moments, she felt him stiffen against her, insider her. A soft growl escaped his lips as he pressed hard into her and shivered.

  She kissed him, passionately at first, but it faded to tenderness as the waves within them receded. He buried his face in her neck, and they clung to each other as they regained their breath. Almost reluctantly, Lance rolled off her, but pulled her body with him, and they ended with him on his back and her head resting comfortably on his chest.

  "Like I said, you didn't need this." His voice was still husky as he landed on the towel, and he jerked it out from under him to toss it on the floor. Then he gently kissed her forehead. "I love you, Ash."

  "I love you, too." Ashley giggled as she threw
a leg over him and snuggled deeply against him. She was so content, and her body so spent that she didn't realize she was drifting to sleep. The morning light woke her, and she raised her head to smile at Lance as he blinked the sleep out of his eyes. She was elated that it hadn't been a dream.

  Ashley’s ultimate fantasy was real, and perfect, and cradling her in his arms.

  Part Two

  The Take

  Chapter 9 – Free