WindSwept Narrows: #3 Emily Temple

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  Jack drank in the sweet sounds she made, his mouth pulled from hers and continuing along her throat, his hands moving over her hips. He let his palms learn the soft shape of her, pulling her hips hard against him, groaning deeply when she thrust her body against him with equal desire. He brought one palm along her good side, caressing and brushing his fingers along the bottom of her breast before going to the small buttons. One by one they popped free until she brought her hands up and eased the vest from her shoulders, letting it drop to the floor.

  Emily pressed against him, the warmth in his chest and the soft pale chest hair making her shiver and move closer.

  “Emily…” Her name was pulled from him in a low, hoarse groan. “We have to be careful…”

  “We will be,” she whispered instantly, her tongue dragging a long, hot line along his throat to his ear. “Umm…Jack…you do have…”

  “Yeah…yeah, I took care of that,” he assured her, lifting his head and then lifting her, carrying her to the bedroom and setting her down near the bed. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes wide as he shrugged out of his shirt and dropped it behind him. “Seriously…Emily…I don’t want to hurt you…but, god I want you…”

  “We’ll be careful…I promise…I’ll tell you…” Emily stared at him, her palms up and tracing over the tanned muscles of his chest, her nails catching pale coils as she caressed him. She lifted her eyes to his, her hands settling on the button to his shorts, opening it slowly. She saw his breath catch, her fingers dipping teasingly inside the waist band of his shorts before moving to the zipper.

  She didn’t know where the seductress in her was coming from and didn’t want to think about it now. All she knew was that she wanted Jack Garrett with a passion that continued to grow. Emily let her palms glide heavily over the hard outline beneath his shorts, one finger going to the top of the zipper and pushing it slowly down. The shorts fell to the floor at the same time she felt his palms pressing around the waistband of her shirt. She looked up and smiled. She knew he was looking for the opening.

  Emily stepped back, her hands on his chest and turning him until the bed was behind him. She gave him a little shove and stood there.

  “It’s elastic, Jack,” she hitched a thumb on each side of her hips, stretching and letting the billowy skirt fall to the floor. Pale peach panties edged in apricot lace were her last covering. She stared for a quiet minute at the burgeoning evidence of his arousal beneath his plain black boxers.

  Green eyes narrowed, his elbows behind him. She stood at the edge of the bed, tall and majestic, completely unaware of the beauty he saw as she bent and crawled slowly toward him.

  “I think you’re enjoying this,” he said gruffly, laying back and bring his palm up to brush over her face, one finger tracing along her jaw.

  “I think I am, too,” she whispered, bending down and kissing her way over the flat of his stomach and onto his chest.

  “Emily…”

  “Shhh…” she urged his mouth to hers, her body stretching carefully along his. The hardness of him pressed against her and she rotated her hips slowly, uncertain at first until she felt him harden more. His hands gripped her hips and pulled her even closer. Abruptly, his palms left her hips and framed her face, lifting and forcing her to look at him.

  “Are you okay with this, Emily?”

  “My side is fine, Jack…honest,” she answered.

  “It’s not just your side I’m worried about,” he said quietly, watching his meaning dawn in her eyes. Her smile was soft as she closed the distance to his mouth, her words whispering against his lips.

  “You are a sweetly considerate guy…”

  “Yeah, well I’m also a bully, don’t let’s forget that,” he accepted her silent answer, laying his head back and letting his palms caress over her back and onto her behind.

  “Hmm…you can be slightly dictatorial…but I’ve decided that’s only because I haven’t figured out how to handle you yet,” she assured him with a cheeky grin, leaning her elbows on either side of her head and returning to the rain of kisses along his throat.

  “Oh…really? You think that’s possible?” Jack countered, groaning softly when she began rotating her hips from side to side and then hard down the center, one leg sliding to the side and her body positioned just where she wanted him.

  “I’m an optimistic kinda girl…”

  “As long as you realize some things aren’t up for discussion…” Jack tipped her gently to the side, his palm coming up and capturing a breast, the small soft mound fitting into his hand. Fingers teased the pert, aroused nipple before he lowered his head to take it in his mouth. He wanted to taste her, he wanted to hear those sweet little mews, her head back and lips parted to pull in slow drafts of air.

  “Oh my…that feels so good…” Emily pushed her hands against his head, holding him captive while he continued to deliver the sensual pleasure. She released the shiver when his palm slid over her stomach and inside her panties, strong fingers instantly seeking a path through the amber coils. She gasp sharply when he slid one finger through the center, drawing on the moisture that had been collecting there since their first kiss.

  Jack felt her hot center, sliding one finger into the small fiery opening. He added another, his thumb drawing the slick fluid over the engorged nub in soft flickering strokes that made her shudder hard against him. He knew he was doomed if he let her touch him right now, breaking his touch only long enough to find the packets he’d tossed into the drawer yesterday.

  She lay flat on the bed, breathing deeply, pale lashes opening as he slid her panties down her legs, making short work of his own before stretching out at her side.

  He let his palms caress over both breasts, tweaking and urging her closer, easing her over him. Losing himself in her kiss was like drowning in crystal blue waters, the waves gently caressing and building. He let her take the lead, her hips moving, stroking over his erection and pulling a hard, long groan from deep inside him.

  Emily lifted herself up slightly, her breathing ragged when his mouth took her nipple inside, his teeth teasing at the same time she felt him slid a palm between them. He began that mysterious stroking, her chest heaving, losing herself in the sensations. Her hips arched at the right angle, twisted to the side and trapped him against the small, slick opening. She felt him begin to glide inside at the same time the first wild wave crashed upon her. The slender body shuddered, her hands moving to grip his shoulders. Her head was back and her hips seemed to know just how to move to grab that fantastic feeling again and again.

  Jack felt her knees slide far to the side, opening her up and sending her body thrusting down upon him hard. His senses exploded, the taut, hot center of her pulsing and constricting hard and often around him. Pulling him deeper, urging him toward the chasm until his hands gripped her hips tightly, her name on his lips and his shout echoing through the softly fading light.

  Jack felt the tiny edges of her nails in his shoulders, her hands slowly opened and her body fell gracefully to lay over him. He brushed the long braid to the side, his arms as tight as he could trust himself at the moment, holding her against him, letting their breath get back to normal. He felt their hearts beating wildly against one another, his eyes closed as an amazing sense of peace settled around them.

  “Emily?” Jack wasn’t used to the silence where she was concerned, relaxing when he felt her sigh against his throat.

  “Yes?”

  “Are you okay?” Amusement hinted in his words.

  “I am off floating on a cloud over the ocean…” She breathed softly, kissing his throat and lifting her head to meet his eyes. “I’m not too heavy for you, am I?”

  “I think I can handle it,” he answered, his own smile matching hers. “But…we do have to move…” He laughed at the tiny pout. “These things aren’t infallible and you have muscles that are…”

  “Oh…” Emily flexed the muscles again, watching his face. “Oh…You can feel that?”

  “
I…hell yes I can feel that…will you stop…Emily…damn it…” he decided warnings weren’t going to work right now and simply tipped her to the side, getting up quickly and heading into the bathroom.

  Emily laid back, pushing her elbows behind her and listening to him grumble. She let herself drift to the bed, enjoying the soft breeze from the ceiling fan and stretching her arms high above her head. She rolled carefully to her stomach, cradling her head and watching him stretch out beside her. They lay facing one another, her palm up and fingers drawing a line around his mouth.

  “That was very nice…and no, I am not in pain…you didn’t squeeze me….”

  “It was damned good…” He moved closer, pulling her mouth to his. He felt the slender curves align themselves next to him, the soft apex of amber curls pressing against his hip.

  “You did buy more than one of those…right?” Emily asked delicately, her fingers toying with the hairs on his chest, pale brown eyes peeking up through her lashes.

  “You think we’ll need more?” Jack asked with a teasing gleam in his eyes.

  “Most definitely,” she whispered, pressing against him and kissing him deeply. Her fingers trailed down his chest, over his stomach and lower, to allow the awakening male to slide through her palm. “You don’t think we’ll need at least one more…”

  “At least…fortunately, I planned ahead…” he returned hotly.

  “You are so smart,” Emily’s breath caught in her chest when his palm circled her breast, fingers awakening one nipple. She groaned softly, hints of those tingles coursing along her spine. “Being with you like this…is amazing, Jack….”

  “You are amazing…” He whispered against her lips. “Those nightmares, Emily…”

  “Jack…no…”

  “Honey…listen to me,” he saw the hesitance when she opened her eyes and waited, the full bow of her lower lip pulled between her teeth. “I’m pretty sure you’ve never been with another guy before…” He watched her blink, watched the curiosity enter her eyes. “Just trust me on this one…” The slight traces on the condom he removed had told him the answer. He might have terrorized you, but he didn’t rape you, Jack thought to himself, absorbing the gentle shiver that ran through her.

  “I’ve…he didn’t…I didn’t let him…oh, god, Jack!” Emily swallowed hard, unaware of the tear leaving the corner of her eyes until his thumb caught it, rubbing it away. She thrust her arms around his neck, clinging tightly, her eyes squeezed closed.

  “Honey…” He just held her. He knew she wasn’t crying. She cried at weird things, not things he thought would be normal for a woman. But he didn’t care. She was in his arms, in his bed because she wanted to be there. She eased back slowly, her eyes gleaming.

  “You don’t know how…relieved…”

  “Emily, you don’t let a guy…terrorize you like that…”

  “I know…I know…but…you feel so helpless ‘cause you don’t have a…a big stick to fight back with,” she mumbled, sighing and laying her head on his shoulder.

  “Hmm…you didn’t come after me with a big stick,” Jack let his palm glide over the curve of her neck, fingers trailing down the cool flesh of her back and onto her behind.

  “I think it was your shirts…I’m a sucker for color…” Emily lifted her head and pulled herself higher, brushing his mouth with hers. “Although…you are really appealing out of the shirt…” she let her hand slide over his chest, fingers toying in the pale coils before moving lower.

  Jack felt his body react to her words, her touch. He liked the teasing gleam in her eyes that flared into something hotter when she put her palm around his slowly reviving erection. He closed his eyes and let her explore, the tender fingertips tracing lines up and down and around until he was sure his sanity was hiding somewhere.

  “Emily…a guy can only take so much of that…”

  “You are displaying amazing control,” she whispered, her mouth dropping hot, wet kisses over his chest and onto his stomach. She slid her palm over him lightly, drawing one finger around the softness and down the hard length of him before leaning closer. Her tongue came out, drawing along him and savoring the sense of femininity when his groan came out low and hoarse. She saw his palm curl into the sheets when she took him in her mouth, her tongue dancing over his flesh.

  Jack wasn’t sure how long he could hold out. Her innocence and natural curiosity were going to kill him at this rate. He put his hands on her shoulders, lifting her carefully to sit at his side. He met the blinking with a crooked finger that made her smile and move easily along his body.

  “Was I doing something wrong?” Emily asked against his mouth, aware of his hands moving between them.

  “You were doing too much right,” he growled, beginning his own assault and exploration. It wasn’t long before he positioned her over him, allowing her to guide him against her body. She was learning to draw out her own pleasure, hungrily taking all he had to offer and pulling him wildly along with her for the explosive burst.

  Jack returned from the bathroom to her lying on her stomach, hands dangling off the bed. “You’re going in the wrong direction…”

  “Details, details…” but she moved to put her head on the pillows, gazing out into the darkness outside. Then the light came on next to his side. And a palm came to rest on her side. “Jack…”

  “Lean up a little, Emily…”

  “Jack, I’m okay…honestly…” but she did as he asked, waiting patiently while he peeled back the tape and checked. “Am I still stitched?”

  “You’re still stitched,” he answered with genuine relief, sliding beneath the light quilt, and staring into the night. He rolled to his side, his palm naturally resting at her waist. “Ian said to lighten the bandage tomorrow after you shower…let more air get to it and I have an ointment to put on it for you.”

  “You worry…” She murmured sleepily.

  “I worry,” he agreed, dropping a kiss on her head. “Good night, Emily.”

  He listened to her breathing, a comfort between them when she rolled to her side and pushed against him, her fingers twining with his and her sigh soft. His arm was beneath her head, his palm cupping her shoulder.

  Several hours later when she began breathing raggedly, Jack moved closer, whispering to her that she was safe with him. It took a few minutes before her breathing returned to normal, the tight bundles of her palms relaxing and clutching his palm.

  Jack’s vision was slightly foggy two hours later when a bump in the room had his eyes opening and gazing toward the sound. Thanks to the lights outside and the bright moon, he caught the silhouette moving slowly across the room. She'd released her hair from the braid and had both hands up rubbing her scalp. The bed barely moved but he rolled to his back, the light sheet over his hips.

  “Bad dream?” It was natural to reach for her, even more natural was the way she came into his arms. She didn’t answer, her fingers raking through the hair on his chest. Jack tried to keep breathing normally and it worked until her palm caressed over his stomach. “Emily?”

  “Hmmm?”

  “Are you using me as therapy?” His breath caught in his chest as her fingers circled the semi erect part of him that reacted to her touch.

  “Do you mind?” Emily leaned over him, long hair caressing his warm flesh. She brought her mouth to his, tasting their sleep and urging him to play.

  It fascinated him at the power in their passion, her kiss, her touch, the scent of her invading and arousing him to a peak he’d never known existed. But this time Emily urged him over her, slim fingers guiding him. He could feel the tension building in her with each taste of her breast. His fingers slid along the slick dew, preparing her and stroking over the excited nub. Her body tightened around him as he eased inside, his groan loud and without restraints.

  That was the exhilarating experience of their passion, his mind shot out as if a light bulb had burst over him. She was not fragile. She was not a coward and did not hide from that side of her
nature that came to life in his arms. He felt her legs open more, one foot raising and resting on his waist. His body was pulled closer, deeper than he imagined possible.

  Emily surrendered to the wild sensations, wrapping herself completely around him, sending her hips thrusting upward at the same time the delicious convulsions began. She wanted to feel his passion, feel his explosion, know the power in his need and she wasn’t denied.

  Jack knew in the back of his mind was a part of him shouting to be careful. His palms were planted firmly on the surface of the bed, his hips thrusting hard and fast. It was as if he could hear her calling him in his mind, telling him that she was strong enough, that she wanted him with the same hunger he’d come to relish. He had no idea his muscles could get as hard as they felt at this moment, his arms shaking through the powerful climax.

  Emily’s palms stroked over the sheen of moisture coating his shoulders as they drifted slowly back to the ground. Her eyes opened languidly when his forehead lowered to touch hers, their lips brushing softly before Jack carefully lifted himself from her.

  A soft purr left her lips and she curled to her side, watching him return to the bed. “You were afraid of breaking me,” Emily stated gently, her palm resting on his shoulder, her face against his arm.

  Jack considered her statement, his lips touching her head. “I had no idea the depths and power that passion between the right two people could be,” he said carefully, trying to find the words for his thoughts. “And yes…I was concerned…”

  “But of more than the stitches,” Emily said through a yawn. “The strength and power in passion is incredible…but I’m not afraid of it, Jack…I’m not afraid of you,” she whispered softly, snuggling down and sighing happily.

  “So the shouting doesn’t bother you?” He listened to her soft giggle.

  “I’m pretty sure I can hold my own,” Emily lifted her head, blinking and staring into his eyes. She brought her palm up, stroking gently over his face. “I know inside…I’ll never run from you, Jack. I might avoid you…but you don’t frighten me.”