by A. K. Koonce
She holds her hand to the back of my neck, her nails biting into my skin. Her other hand runs down my shoulders and back, drifting lightly over the muscles of my side before slipping up the front of my chest. Her nails trail over my skin like a whisper.
My hips relentlessly push into hers, my dick throbbing, as I press slow kisses along her collarbone, her head tilting back for me. Her fingers curl into my hair as her other hand falls slowly down my abs, brushing over the light trail of hair leading down the waistband of my boxers. My muscles tense beneath her touch as she pauses there. Hesitant hands poised with power trace the seam of my boxer briefs.
Fuck. Every feeling she gives to me just manifests into a need for more. I needed to watch her, I needed to be near her, I needed her under me, and now I need more.
I take a shaky breath against the smooth skin at the base of her neck and she’s barely touching me. She’s studying me, the planes of my chest, the thin line of hair disappearing beneath the fabric, and I see her visibly swallow when her gaze dips down to the hard bulge that’s dangerously close to her fingertips. Fingertips that haven’t stopped drawing patterns against my stomach and boxers.
The look in her eyes, a hungry curiosity, is enough to drive me insane. What’s she thinking behind those innocent eyes? My breath fans over her face, her blue gaze deeper than I’ve ever seen before, an ocean pulling me under.
I brace myself on my forearm against the mattress, finally meeting her unwavering attention. I trail my hand down her chest slowly, and a shiver runs down her body and into mine. My hand continues down over her stomach, my eyes never leaving hers. Down, down, down my fingers travel, stopping just as I brush my index finger against her inner thigh, the bottom of her dress tangled around her waist.
I hesitate, not wanting to pressure her further, but also hoping like hell she won’t stop me. My palm drifts slowly up her thigh, lingering around the wrinkled hem of her soft dress.
“Alexandra, we don’t h—” I say, ready to accept her refusal if that’s what she wants.
But she cuts me off. She seals her lips to mine, my tongue pushing against hers in an instant, kissing her more fervently now, not knowing if this is the end or the beginning of something more. I bring my hands back up to her waist, attempting to slow down my urgent thoughts and our pace, but she doesn’t let me; she kisses me harder.
“Will it hurt?” she mumbles against my mouth in a faltering and needy voice.
I pull back from her but not far, my chest still brushing against hers with every breath I take. I need to see her. Her brows scrunch together in a look of almost pain and pleasure; she’s entirely serious. Always my demanding and in-control princess. She knows what she wants.
And those three little words are all it takes to completely ruin us.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Love and Lust
Alexandra
His eyes grow wide, searching my face at the sound of my words. A mixture of anticipation and trepidation are growing in me. I don’t want to stop, but I don’t want to be a fumbling fool, either.
Remy would never allow that. He’s never made me feel anything less than his equal … he’s the only one who has ever made me feel that way.
He seems so taken aback every time I show an interest in him, though. Like I’m crazy to be attracted to him. He has to know what he looks like. How sweet he can be when he’s not pushing everyone away. How kind he is despite the strange control the Island has over him. Over everyone, actually.
He forces my concentration back to us instantly when he sits up, my hands falling to my side. I’m cold and out of breath without him.
He sits patiently between my legs for a moment before he leans over me and slowly starts to raise my dress, pushing it over my stomach, his fingers feathering over my skin. I lift up for him as he pulls it the rest of the way off. When it’s gone and there’s almost nothing between us, he stares quietly into my eyes, his striking emerald gaze burns across every inch of my flesh.
His lips part as his eyes travel down my naked body, over my slight chest and slim waist. I eat everything the Island has to offer, but it’ll take years to balance out a lifetime of starvation. I want to pull my arms around myself, but the hungry look in eyes keeps me planted to the bed. His hands clasp firmly around my waist, his thumbs rubbing circles over my bare hips, sending a tingle of anticipation through my core.
“It’ll hurt.” My heart stumbles, surprised by his honesty. “But then it’ll feel good. I’ll make it feel really, really good for you.” His voice rasps and his tongue darts out, licking his lips.
He slides his hands down my hips, lightly caressing my thighs as his eyes follow his hands the whole way down my legs. Short clipped breaths fall from my lips, my thighs almost shaking from his touch.
I’m naked before him in the dimly lit room. My legs are spread to him, and my chest rises and falls under his gaze, my pounding heart the only noise I can hear. My nerves tingle throughout my body, but I don’t fidget under his attention.
One of his hands slides up my thigh as the other pushes lightly over my stomach and chest. The small caress sends a hum through my body, a need unfurling within me.
“You’re fucking perfect,” he says, his voice coming out almost like a growl.
I’m not. I’m far from it. I know it’s true because I’ve been told how pathetic and unwanted I am my entire life. But the way he says it, I believe him. I am perfect. When I’m with him, I’m perfect.
His hand drifts lower, his movement fluid and confident. My hips raise a fraction to meet his touch.
No longer able to hold his gaze, I close my eyes at the feel of his palm against me. His fingers trail up and down my entrance. I take short, fast breaths with each movement until the need is too much. I open my eyes to meet his. An arrogant smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, his chest rising and falling quickly, like he’s enjoying teasing me.
“Remy …” I say in a harsh whisper, not knowing what I need, but knowing I need it. Now.
He leans down at the sound of my pained voice, his head angled between my thighs.
What is he doing?
He watches the confusion fall over my face before lowering his head below my hips, over my entrance. My confusion, my hesitancy, my whole life falls away when his tongue slides over my lips, tasting me.
I tense against him as energy unfurls within me, still unsure of what we’re doing. The tension is pushed away as his warm tongue brushes heavily against me a second time, making me gasp for breath. His pressure becomes harder against the sensitive skin, and my eyes flutter closed, my head falling back. His hands push against my thighs, spreading me further to him. His mouth sucks against my clit, and I try to control the moan slipping from my lips at the building sensation he’s creating with his mouth. I push my fingers through his thick hair, holding him to me.
His tongue flicks against me before lowering farther, darting deep into me. His mouth is hot against my entrance. My back arches against the bed, my legs shaking against him. Tension builds within me, and I want it released; I want him to release it. He sweeps his tongue up, swirling hard against me, and I bite my lip to stop from moaning.
“Remy, I …” I say through harsh breaths as the tension builds to the edge.
He sucks harder at the sound of my incoherent words, and his fingers press against my entrance before slipping inside. The pressure from the inside out consumes me, and I shamelessly grind against his hand. His other hand grabs my hips, pulling me closer to him. A sensation builds tighter and tighter within my core, and then he arches his fingers, pressing within me just right. His tongue rolls across my clit until I fall apart beneath his touch.
I moan his name, pulling roughly at his hair as the tension inside me combusts. He raises his head, his fingers still inside me, his palm still grasping me as I try to catch my breath.
He slips his palm from me, and my face heats under his hooded eyes. He licks his lips slowly and a lazy grin fills his features, an
d a dimple I so rarely see appears in his left cheek.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asks.
“Where,” I swallow hard against my dry throat. “Where did you learn to do that?” I ask, suddenly shy as I sit up. I bite my lip and stare at the blanket instead of looking at this gorgeous and incredible man.
“I’m … a time traveler,” he says slowly. “I’ve lived a long, long time here.”
His vague words sink in, my stomach sinking right along with them.
Of course.
He leans over me, holding himself above me on his forearms, his hard muscles tense around me. I could never reciprocate what he just did to me. I don’t even know what he just did to me.
He brings his palm to my face, tilting my head up to him, his fingers brushing over my jaw. His expression is filled with only kindness and concern.
“Don’t look like that,” he says. “Don’t ever let anyone allow you to look like that. Don’t let them make you feel like you’re less than you deserve. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. I just … wanted to be honest with you. I’d never lie to you, Alexandra.”
I nod, wishing I could just disappear from here. Wishing to be anywhere in the world than beneath this perfect man, feeling inadequate and slightly embarrassed.
He releases a heavy breath, his hand pushing into my tangle of hair. His lips brush over mine slowly, raining delicate kisses against my lips. “Don’t look like that, Alexandra,” he pleads, feathering another kiss to my jawline that I feel all the way down to my toes. “Because you don’t see what I see.”
He tilts my head to kiss farther, his lips touching lightly against my ear. My eyes close as his hand traces down my ribs, sending a shiver over my skin.
“You have no idea how perfect you are,” he says, nipping at my neck. My hands push into his hair, holding his head to me. “And that was the most beautiful fucking thing I’ve ever seen.”
His voice is muffled as he kisses the base of my neck, sending tremors all through my body. His length presses firmly against my entrance from beneath the black material of his underwear. His hard chest hovers above mine, sending chills over my skin with every small movement, the energy building low again in my stomach.
I want him all over again.
“Let me make you feel good.”
I couldn’t possibly do that again, could I?
I kiss him in a rush, a burst of confidence soaring through me. I push his underwear down his lean hips, fully feeling his warm skin against mine. He pulls back, breaking our kiss, and his trailing eyes search my face as if asking once again my permission. I grind my hips against his, his length rubbing hard against my center.
A surprised breath slips over my lips as he pushes slowly against my entrance. He looks like he’s about to cross a minefield instead of make love to me. Is it making love? Or is it just … fucking? The word feels heavy in my mind. Can there be something between love and lust? That’s what I feel for Remington. Somewhere in the faded, confusing space between love and lust is us.
Inch by inch he slides into me and I gasp, my eyes close tightly against the pang of pain that comes with the feeling of being filled. My teeth sink into my lower lip as my thighs clench around his trim waist. He groans when he’s all the way in, holding himself rigidly over me.
“Are you okay?” His warm breath fans my neck as we both wait, letting the sting of pain fall away.
I don’t answer him. My body becomes less tense with each breath and in seconds I become restless almost.
A small breath fills my lungs and instinctually I roll my hips against his, allowing a little space before grinding against his shaft once again. I gasp at the feel of it, so unlike anything I’ve ever felt before, and repeat the movement. A frantic rush of needy adrenaline builds in me, taking my breath away and replacing my thoughts with nothing more than need. A feeling of using him for my own benefit crosses my mind for a small second, but I continue my desperate pace as I sink my nails into his back.
His hooded eyes meet mine as an unsteady breath comes through his clenched teeth. He fists my hair, tugging at the roots and seals my mouth to his once again.
His tongue darts past my lips, tasting me deeply as he plunges hard into me, grinding his hips as he goes. I moan into him, and he takes my pleas like I’m speaking clearly. His palm grips the underside of my thigh tightly. His pace quickens as does the feeling building within me.
I understand the climbing feeling now and want it more than the first time. I pull roughly at his hair with both hands as I sync my movements with his, our hips grinding impatiently but perfectly.
Suddenly, just as the feeling deep in my core can no longer be controlled, I realize how similar this is to Remy himself.
He tears his mouth away from me, kissing my jawline before biting my neck hard and making me cry out as an orgasm consumes me from the inside out. I muffle my voice against his straining shoulder. His body begins to shake just slightly as he rapidly slides in and out. For an instant his blazing eyes meet mine before he kisses me, his lips soft against mine, kind and caressing now, he kisses me chastely over and over again.
A groan pulls from his lips, resonating against mine and he stills above me. He touches his forehead to mine, his heavy breaths mingling with my own. I swallow hard against my dry throat. He holds his weight on one forearm at the side of my head, his other hand coming up to cup my face lightly.
Sex with Remy is just like him, just like his personality; it’s rough but sweet and almost … consuming.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Love
Remy
Alexandra is the most peaceful person I’ve ever seen asleep.
Shit, that sounded creepy didn’t it?
I can’t help it, though. My arms wrap tightly around her stomach, my fingers drifting lazy circles over her smooth skin. Part of me, a very selfish part of me, wants to wake her up. An animalistic side of me wants to wake her up in the best possible way. I want to hear my name all breathy on her lips again.
But I don’t.
Streams of morning sunlight filter across her delicate features, her long lashes casting a thin shadow against her high cheek bones. Her lips are parted and a light sigh escapes every so often. A noise so quiet I’m surprised I can even hear it, surprised by how happy that minimal little noise is making me. I breathe out a content smile.
Then a heaviness pulls at me, dropping through my stomach like a weight as I lean my forehead against her soft and tangled hair. I hold her safely against me, close to my heart that hasn’t stopped pounding since she asked me if I loved her.
Because it terrifies me that I might.
I’ve spent years living contently here. Unhappy, but content. Now I can’t imagine her doing the same. Living an empty life here on Resurrection Island. I can’t subject another person to a half-life just because it makes me happy. I can’t do that to her. Alexandra deserves everything her future has to offer and more.
She deserves more than I can give her here. She shouldn’t waste her life in Resurrection Island.
None of us should.
She isn’t staying here. I can’t watch the Island rip all the pure and good things out of her. I have to save her from this place. I’m convinced she’s going home by the end of the week. Now I just have to figure out how to convince her …
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Checkmate
Remy
I need to be around men. I need Lucas, and Johnny, and every other piece of shit guy in this place to distract me from the guilt and dread that’s always on my mind.
Next week she’ll be gone.
“You ready for a guy’s night?” Lucas asks, leading me to Cali’s hut.
For whatever reason, Lucas thinks a men’s night consists of a few guys hanging out in a small room while he paws all over his girlfriend.
I heave a long sigh as we walk into her small home, prepared for the disaster Lucas has planned. Laughter and voices fill the room. Cali runs
to Lucas immediately, and he picks her up in one swift motion, her legs wrapping around his waist as they kiss like they haven’t seen each other in years.
Fucking guy’s night.
A couple other guys try their best to ignore Cali and Lucas. He keeps her wrapped around his waist as they talk quietly amongst themselves. He walks her to her bed, sitting her down on the mattress and taking a seat on the floor at her feet.
And then I see it—the main attraction of the shit show.
Sitting next to Cali on the bed is Johnny who’s laughing hysterically as he bats Alexandra’s hand away from the queen on the chess board placed between them. I blink a few times trying to clear my thoughts. Is this really what Lucas considers a guy’s night?
Her mouth opens in mock outrage as he claims her queen, tossing it carelessly to the side of the board.
“One more move and I’ll have you beat,” Johnny warns.
Alexandra purses her lips together, a smile concealed beneath a scowl.
“I call loser,” Lucas says as he watches Alexandra assess the board.
I cross the small room to stand at Johnny’s side, needing to see her face again. She lights up when she notices me, and I can tell I’m distracting her. A deep red colors her cheeks, and I know what she’s thinking about. My chest expands with a euphoric feeling as I think about the same memory.
Johnny’s right; she’s screwed. He’s got her beat no matter what move she makes.
“You can’t call loser,” Johnny tells Lucas with a smirk.
“Sure you can if you’re already a loser,” Lucas says with a wink.
“You’re not a loser,” Cali tells him, running her hand down his shoulder. An-adorable-guy’s-night-appropriate look passes between them.
Alexandra toys with a pawn, turning it in circles a few times before finally making her move. A wicked grin sweeps across Johnny’s face as his strategy plays out.
“Checkmate,” he says, and she pushes his hand playfully off his knight that is now looming over her white king.
