His stare was imploring. Suddenly a dark, predatory look came over him. He took her left wrist and turned it up. He closed his eyes fleetingly and breathed in. His thumb brushed over the untainted skin.
“You don’t have a mark. You’re not mated. Then why won’t you accept me?”
She grasped for the final shred of reason that remained in her dazed mind. “This isn’t right. I don’t do things like this. I don’t pick up men and have ... do stuff...”
“But you want to. If the physical signs I read in your body are anything to go by, you’re suffering as much as I am.”
“Just let me get out of here. Please.”
He watched her for another moment before his look shifted. “Warmer?”
She nodded, not trusting her voice to speak.
He turned off the water. “Stay there.” He reached for a towel and draped it around her, before he tied another one around his waist.
She couldn’t object as he lifted her from the shower onto the bath rug. She could only watch as he toweled her dry, carefully inspecting the marks the accident had left on her body.
Finally, gently wringing the water from her hair, he bent down and, when she least expected it, brushed his lips over her jaw. It was almost her unmaking. Her hands found his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin as he scraped his teeth down her neck.
She gasped, trying to push him away, the need and pain now unbearable. “You’re torturing me.”
He immediately let go. “Look at me.”
She almost cried out, torn between guilt and need as she fought for control, her eyes pinched shut, her only awareness the craving of her flesh.
His voice drifted back to her. “Baby, look at me.”
She opened her eyes reluctantly.
“Does it feel like a thousand nails are shooting into your gut?” he said softly. “Like your skin is on fire and your insides are being ripped apart?”
She blinked. “How do you know?”
“Because that’s what you do to me. Your touch on my skin, it burns me alive. And it’s getting worse. Since we’ve left that damn forest it’s gone from a spark to a fucking intolerable fire. Just let me make it better.”
“How?” she asked uncertainly. “How can you know what to do if we don’t even know what’s wrong with us?”
He smiled wryly, his grin now almost a grimace. “Maybe it’s not that there’s something wrong with us. Maybe it’s just perfectly right.”
“You’re not talking any sense.”
“It’s not talking we want to do, and you know it.”
She was close to tears now, biting back the pain as it hit her between her knees. “I can’t.”
“I’m at the end of my control, seeing you suffer like this.” His voice held a warning. “Why won’t you? Tell me your reasons. Just let me assure you.”
Oh, she had reasons, alright. She belonged to another. “The guilt...”
His fingers enclosed on her wrist, the left arm, and brought it slowly to his mouth. When his lips touched the flesh meant for the mating mark, her eyes fluttered close. His wicked tongue licked over the spot, sending a shiver down her spine that had her arching her back. Her control unraveled when he nipped at her skin with his teeth. A cry escaped her lips.
His other hand went to her hair, pulling back her head, exposing her ear for his lips. His words breathed over her, soft brushes of air. “What if you don’t have a choice? Would that take away the guilt?”
“I don’t understand.”
“If I tie you up, you won’t have a choice.”
“What?” Her eyes widened but the fire had already pooled out to every crevice and peak of her body. Alarmed and surprised that his words had such an effect on her, she took a step back and flinched when she put her weight on her swollen ankle.
His grip tightened in her hair. “You’re frightened. Of your feelings. We’ll play a game. I’ll tie you to my bed so that I can take you, do with you as I please. You won’t have control. And you needn’t feel guilty.”
Her lips parted in both shock and excitement as she stared at him.
His finger traced her bottom lip. “You have a perfect mouth. And a perfect body. You’re so small, so tiny.” He frowned. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-seven,” she said, her eyes fixed on his hypnotic mouth.
“Ah. Good.”
She pulled her arm free. “I should go.”
“How unlikely is it for two people to be out in a forest, in a foreign zone, in a rainstorm, on exactly the same day, at exactly the same time? How unlikely to feel, to burn, like we do?”
She shook her head in a weak attempt at denial. “I don’t get what you’re insinuating.”
“This was meant to be.”
She shook her head again and opened her mouth, but he placed a finger over her lips. Convulsions of pleasure ripped through her. “Feel that. Feel what my touch does to you. I never do this kind of thing either.” His voice lowered. “I need you.”
“Oh God. I can’t do this.”
“You don’t have to do anything. Let me seduce you. I’ll take care of everything.”
Her body was a trembling mass. “You don’t understand. I’m—”
“I have to have you. I feel like I’ll die if I don’t. I swear to God, this is the first time I’m saying this to someone, the first time I’m feeling this ... this ... craziness. And it’s killing me. Give me your control. That’s all I’m asking.” He closed the space she had put between them. “I could take your control with one kiss. I know I can, because that’s how close I am to losing mine. But I don’t want to steal it. I want you to give it to me.”
His closeness was like a powerful drug. She felt her strength falter as her need spiked. “I don’t like not to be in control.”
“You only have to say the word, and I’ll untie you. I won’t do anything you don’t want, or like.”
She was crazy, for sure, because for an insane second she conjured an image of her tied to his bed, his muscular body posed over her, and she felt her breath quicken painfully.
“Trust me,” he said gently.
“And why would I trust a complete stranger?”
She looked at the door, but she already knew she wasn’t going anywhere. The strange thing was that she did trust him. There was no doubt in her mind he would let her hop through the door right now if she wished. The problem was that she couldn’t turn away from her bizarre craving. They both knew there was no way either one of them could walk away.
Fraya guessed he had sensed her hesitation, because he took it as his cue to lift her and swiftly move into the bedroom, depositing her in front of the bed.
His hands went to the clasp of her bra, while his mouth went to her ear. “There’s one condition. If you don’t intend to honor it, tell me now, and I’ll let you go.”
She was beside herself with need. She was wild, panting. His hands smoothed down her back and she dug her nails into her palms not to wrap her legs around him and beg him for release. Her bra dropped to her feet. She craved him so badly she felt feverish. She wanted nothing more than to feel his skin against hers, but he held her at arm’s length.
“Listen to me. This is important.”
She was going out of her mind and he was still talking?
“Open your eyes, baby. Just for a second. What did I say?”
“A condition?” she said in a haze, forcing her eyes to focus on his face.
“I don’t do holiday romances. Neither once-offs.” His hand slipped into her panties, forcing the elastic over her hip. “If I have you, I’m going to have you again and again.”
She moaned under his hot hands—scorching, burning, hands.
“Please,” she begged. Nothing had ever felt this good.
He nibbled at her ear. “Do you get it?”
She was going to faint. “Yes,” she whispered. She couldn’t care one way or the other for his conditions now. She’d say whatever he wanted to hear, as long as he did
n’t stop.
“I’m going to tie you up now, baby, so that I can make you come in ten different ways. Do you understand?”
She nodded.
“Tell me you want it.”
“Yes.” Oh, yes. She wanted it more than she’d wanted anything in her life.
He paused. “Look at me.” He took her chin to aid in his command. “If you want me to stop, or to untie you, just say the word, and I will. Understand?”
“Mmm.” She pushed her body against his and slipped her hands into his briefs, forcing it down his legs with hurried passion. She heard him gasp, and felt herself being lifted and laid on his bed.
Chapter Three
“I want you to look at me,” he said, his voice demanding. When she did, he held up a scarf and a tie. He trailed the scarf down her leg, before he grabbed hold of her ankles, taking special care with her injured one, and tied them together, leaving her a little space to scissor her legs. She was already exploding, and he hadn’t even started yet.
Next, he bound her wrists together with the tie, and turned her on her tummy. She felt exposed and vulnerable, and it excited her beyond comprehension.
She shivered as his hand moved over her ass. She could feel his body covering hers, the length of him burying her under a mass of muscles and deliciously hot skin. His tongue stroked over her ear, down the base of her neck, tracing a path down her spine that almost had her screaming. She shuddered as his expert hands teased and tortured her, slipping up between her legs and inside her, readying her for him, inevitably leaving him with no doubt how much she wanted him, how ready she was for his body.
“Please,” she moaned, “I don’t think I can stand it,” and before she knew what was happening she was being flipped over, and he stared down at her face.
“What’s wrong?” she said, confused, suddenly terrified that he’d changed his mind.
There was a look of caution on his face. “How long has it been?”
She shook her head, frowning.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said, moving his hand back down her thigh.
She trembled. It hadn’t been that long. It just hadn’t been this ... explosive. Instead of voicing her thoughts, her eyes moved down, shamelessly exploring his naked body. She licked her lips and saw his muscles tense.
“Fuck, woman, you’re killing me. Don’t look at me like that, or I won’t be able to hold back.”
He reached over her for the bedside table, pulled open the drawer, produced a test kit and ripped it open with his teeth. He removed the swatch from its protective cover, slid it over his wrist and turned it up to her to show her the green line that indicated his blood type, AC, and the green dot next to it, proving that he didn’t carry any of the devastating microbes that could attack or destroy her body. He repeated the process with her, and when he lifted the swatch to his face, he stilled.
“I know,” she said awkwardly. She knew her dot was green. What had shocked him was the line that would show up blue, for O+. Whenever she was tested for medical reasons she got that same reaction.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone with this blood group. I thought your type was extinct. Rare.” He looked at her in awe. “Compatible with any type.” A possessive expression washed over his features. “I don’t think I like to know that you’re free to fuck anyone, no matter his blood type.”
Her body convulsed painfully. She pushed up, desperately rubbing against his hardness, reveling in the feeling of his skin.
“Please,” she said again, flicking her tongue over the hard disk of his nipple. He tasted delicious. She could eat all of him. She nipped at his flesh, letting her teeth torture him gently.
“Oh, shit,” he said, gritting his teeth. Perspiration shined on his face and body. “It’s going to have to be hard and fast. Sorry, baby, I don’t think I can wait.”
Her eyes widened when she felt his fingers slip back between her legs.
“So hot.” He kissed her lips. “So wet.”
She watched as he brought his hand to his mouth, licking his fingers. His blue eyes darkened. “You taste so good. Later, when we’ve stilled this rage, I’m going to take my time to taste you, all of you.”
If nothing else threw her over the edge, this did. “I need you. Now.”
He reached for something again, and when she saw the foil packet, she shook her head. “No, please. I want to feel you. All of you.”
She lifted her body as far as she could, forcing him back. When he was on his knees, her tongue flicked out to taste the head of his large erection. Feeling greedy she took him in her mouth as deep as she could. She needed this so bad that it frightened her. This wasn’t like her at all.
He groaned. “No. No. Baby, stop. I won’t last.”
She was beyond herself. She couldn’t stop, even if he begged her. Instinctively she knew this was what she needed to ease her pain, the extreme arousal, and the discomfort. She could taste his essence and she loved it. She sucked harder, feeling the torturous sensation in her belly starting to fade as she was rewarded with a drop of pre-cum.
Before she could get her fill, she heard him curse, and then she was flat on her back again, his palm pressing down on her shoulder. He released her only long enough to roll on the condom and before she could blink, he was inside of her with one thrust.
She cried out.
“Ah, God.” He gritted his teeth. “I’m sorry. I can’t hold back.”
“Harder,” she begged.
When he moved again, slamming into her, she nearly lost her mind. She was on the verge of a vortex that couldn’t be stopped or controlled. She didn’t bother to muffle her scream, voicing the feeling more powerful than anything she had experienced.
He pushed forward, hard and fast, relentless, and after a last move that plummeted right into her soul, he arched his back and uttered a cry. The release she needed so badly tore through her in one, thunderous beat, leaving her shaking with aftershocks. It stilled some of the yearning, but not all. Not enough. She needed more. They were both breathing hard and fast.
He lifted his head to look at her and shook it. “God, that’s never happened to me before. You’re so damn hot.”
The worst of her pain had subsided, but her body craved more. She moaned under him, unwilling to end it so fast.
“Now, slow and easy,” he said, surprising and pleasing her.
“Again?” Her voice sounded desperate and she flinched in embarrassment.
He lifted his head another inch to look into her eyes. “I don’t usually do slam-bam style.”
“And I don’t usually have an orgasm from a slam and a bam. In fact, I’ve never...” Her words trailed off. That was probably offering too much information.
He leaned on one elbow, male pride shining in his eyes. “I can tell it was a first for you, coming like this.”
When she didn’t answer, he lifted her arms above her head, and playfully bit the hardened peak of her breast. In an instant she felt her muscles contracting around him.
He groaned. “God, you feel good. How do you normally come, baby?”
“Why? It seems a bit personal,” she said, suddenly shy again now that the worst heat had lessened and her inhibitions were falling back into place.
“I want to know what works for you.”
She bit her lip. “It’s never been like this before.”
“How do you normally reach an orgasm?”
“Only...” she hesitated, “with a vibrator.”
His smile was one of both regret and satisfaction. “You’ve dated assholes right? Although, had you told me otherwise I would have had to go and kill the man who had done what only I should be doing.”
Her need was building again. “Don’t talk,” she begged.
“I have another question,” he said, but he was already moving rhythmically inside of her, driving her to the edge of an abyss much more powerful than the waterfall in the Mortain forest. “What’s your name?”
“My name?�
�
“I need to know what to call when I want to hold onto you.” He smiled sheepishly. “I’m loud when I make love.”
“Let’s keep the names for later, alright? I like it like this, not knowing.”
He framed her face in his hands. “You like games, don’t you? Fine. Have it your way. For now. But don’t complain if I call you ‘baby’.”
“Ah.” This was so good. Too slow. She moved against him. “I’ve changed my mind.”
He nipped at her lips. “About what?”
“I do want to know your name.”
“Emilio,” he said.
“Just Emilio?”
He groaned. “Keep still woman. Let me determine the pace. You’ll get your turn after.”
“Really?” She laughed. “Again?”
“You’ve got no idea.”
* * * *
It wasn’t until much later, when her passion was spent ten-fold as he had promised, her limbs stiff, that she asked him to untie her. He obliged immediately, massaging her wrists and her ankles, avoiding the sensitive flesh around the sore one. Another few hours passed with him doing things to her she didn’t know could be done before she settled in his arms, warm and satisfied, exhausted. Only then, with the rain stopping and the sun touching the horizon, the strange pain now abated, did her guilt set in. Maybe she should ask that he bound her to his bed again, she thought wryly. Freeing herself from his embrace, she sat up.
His arm circled around her waist. “Where are you going?”
She pulled a hand through her hair. “Oh, God. My car! I’ve got to get to my car.”
“Relax. We’ll sort out your car. In a minute.” His lips went to her shoulder, kissing her birthmark.
She scurried from the bed. “I’ve got to go.”
He propped himself up on one elbow. “No wake-up sex?”
“Wake-up sex? You’re a maniac.”
His skillful, naughty lips pulled into a grin. “You didn’t complain last night.”
She had to look away from that mouth. Grabbing the Foreigner T-shirt, she hopped to the bathroom and completed her hasty wardrobe with her underwear and dirty shorts. When she turned, Emilio leaned in the door, watching her with a guarded look.
The Astronomer Page 3
