The fire in his eyes lit up instantly. “Rina, if I stay, I won’t be able to control myself. I want you so badly.”
“I would love to see you lose control.” She smiled coyly at him, blushing as the words slipped out.
A slow grin grew. He snatched a kiss and stood up quickly. “Be right back.”
***
Anticipating his warm hands on her body, the excitement of having him as she’d been dreaming of for so long, she tossed her shirt off along with her shorts and panties. So brazen to get naked without him in the room yet. Why not, though? She wanted him for almost an entire year. There was always something about the way he looked at her, the way he spoke to her. No more waiting, of hiding behind her emotions, her fears.
She stood up to her father, and now she would live the way she wanted. She wanted Ben with every breath in her body. She wanted him to know she had no regrets or hesitations when he walked back in. He would know the minute he climbed under the covers.
She tossed the blankets over her, snuggling within the warmth. Her eyes started to drift close. What was taking him so long?
The bed dipped. She opened her eyes to see his handsome profile.
“Are you sure, Rina? I don’t want it to feel like I’m rushing you.”
“I’ve never been more sure in my life. I’m getting cold without you.”
Ben nodded with a smile. He stood up, took his jacket off, and tossed it over the chair near her bedroom door. He removed his gun and badge, laying them on the nightstand. He almost hesitated on taking off his clothes, but a sultry grin from her removed that uncertainty.
Nervous.
Was he as nervous as she was? The way he unbuttoned his shirt with jerky movements made her think he was. Nice to know she wasn’t alone with that feeling. As he went for his belt buckle, she needed a question answered just to make sure they were on the same page.
“What took you so long to come back? Are you sure this is what you want, Ben?”
He left his belt hanging as he leaned onto the bed, grabbing a delicious, yet quick kiss from her. “There’s nothing I want more.”
He stood back up, unbuttoning his pants. “I ran to my car for the extra bag of clothes and toiletries I carry in the trunk for emergencies, so I have it for tomorrow. With these murders, Zeke and I are working a little tomorrow morning. I also walked around your house, just double checking the locks on the doors and windows.”
She glanced at his gun lying on the nightstand. “You really do worry about me.”
He removed his pants and sat down, climbing under the covers. “I’ll always worry about you. These cases…I can’t even describe what they’re doing to me. I just worry like hell about you all the time.”
He pulled her into his arms, his eyes widening in surprise as he roamed his hands up and down her silky skin. “I think I’m a little over dressed under here.”
She smiled shyly. “A little.”
He tugged his boxers off, then pulled her back into his arms.
She snuggled her head into his chest, suddenly afraid. “Ben?”
“Yeah.” He rubbed her back gently.
“I want this. I really do, but it’s been a long time for me.”
“We’ll take it slow. I would never hurt you, Rina.”
“I know you wouldn’t. Dee and Zoe say I can rebuff men with ease. I don’t think so. I always feel nervous around men. You’re not like other men. But I’m still nervous.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I’ve already said it, Rina. I’d never force you into anything you don’t want. Not even now. If all you want is for me to hold you, I can do that. I love doing that.”
“I’m afraid I won’t do anything right…that I…”
“Rina,” he whispered into her ear, his hot breath tickling her senses into overdrive, “You’re an expert. The little circles you’re drawing on my back right now are driving me insane.”
Her hand stilled in motion, unaware she had been doing that.
He chuckled. “Don’t stop.”
Sensuous doodling recommenced. What should she do next?
He took the wonder out of her mind when he pulled her head up and her lips to his. The kiss started out slow, just like her hands smoothing around his back. She went from drawing small circles to caressing up and down.
The kiss heated up, more demanding, more uncontrollable as did her hands on his back. Losing focus of everything, his hands started to weave their magic around her front, claiming her breasts with soothing caresses. His taste intoxicated her. His hand started to glide down to her soft mound when he jerked away from her.
“Shit, Rina, when I came over, I never expected this. I just needed to make sure we were okay, especially with the visit from your father. I don’t have any condoms on me. Do you?”
Deep slow breaths. Focus on the question. What was the question again?
Condoms.
That was a problem.
Biting her lip, she shook her head no. “I’m on the pill.”
His brows puckered, the indecision clear. “Do you feel comfortable with this without a condom, just being on the pill?” He hesitated, then coasted a warm hand down the side of her ribcage, brushing the edge of her breast. “Because I do.”
She smoothed the contours of his face, wiping his frown away. So good to know he was as nervous as her. “I know what I want, Ben. That hasn’t changed. I don’t want to wait.”
“Good.” He pushed her to lay flat on her back, shoving the covers away. “Let me make you feel comfortable. If it’s been a while for you, I don’t want any part of this to hurt. It’s been a while for me, too, if you were wondering. You won’t be thinking about anything but me by the time I’m done.”
“Done doing what?” she whispered with anticipation as she watched him slide down her body.
“This.”
Chapter 7
Rina’s body ignited with erotic tingles the minute his tongue touched the most intimate part of her body. She had kissed other men, had tame sex, but never did she let a man touch her in such a way. Never knew it would feel like this.
Like soaring to the top of a mountain, the adrenaline rush of looking down in the valley below, the beauty of it taking her breath away. He took his time coaxing that beauty out of her, swirling his tongue in delicate strokes, almost knowing beforehand what way she would like it.
Nerves had overpowered her before, but not anymore. She couldn’t even remember why she had been nervous. Soon the tingles started to sizzle in her skin, turning to pulsating zings. Each time he moved his tongue, she craved more. The minute she felt a finger slide inside, she bucked off the bed, moaning with tender delight.
He continued his magical work with his tongue and finger, filling her body with so much desire she never knew she possessed. Moans drifted around the room. The ecstasy he created made her wonder why she had pushed him away for so long. The minute she felt another finger added with the first, she clenched the sheets with fury. She wanted more. More of him. All of him.
The words teetered on her lips for him to shove deep inside her, but her voice broke before a sound could escape. He suddenly started suckling hard, his fingers a little faster, creating a sensation she didn’t know existed.
Her fingers slipped from the bed sheets and grasped his head. The pleasure tore from her lips as she squeezed strands of his hair. The sensations consumed her, wrapped her in a cocoon of bliss. Completely immobile. No energy to move a muscle. It was too much.
His hands lightly settled on her thighs as her body tried to come down from the high. His mouth pulled away, yet still so close as his hot breath warmed her with continued pleasure. She should move. Say something. She did neither.
Small peppering kisses started from her belly to her neck until his warm breath tickled her ear, sending more delicious shivers down her spine.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered.
***
Centering himself over her body, he gently entered her
with slow precision. The kisses wouldn’t stop. His lips needed to touch her everywhere. Her neck, her ear, and then a small path down her chest to suckle on her nipple. Sweet, sweet Rina. He wanted to claim her as his in every possible way.
He kept his movements small, light, making sure to take his time. She felt so tight around him. It took all the constraint he ever possessed not to just plunge deep inside. Not a moment of this would hurt her. Not one part of her would feel pain. It seemed like a difficult quest.
Although, he never heard her moan in pain or cringe away from him with discomfort. If anything, she clung tighter to him, moving her hips to meet him each time he pulled out and gently back in, a little further each time.
He never knew he had such patience. Never knew he could love a woman more than he did now. He now understood the worry, fear, and pain Zeke went through last year when he thought he would lose Zoe to a crazy stalker. He never wanted to experience any of those worries, but he did. They still had so much to overcome. And overcome he would. She was in his arms, in his body and soul, and he would never let that go for anything.
Moving to her other breast, suckling hard on that nipple, she lifted up from the pleasure of his touch. Needing full connection as her wetness teased him; he pulled back one more time and pushed gently, yet firmly.
She inhaled a sharp breath and clutched his back fiercely. He stilled his movements, letting her body get used to him deep inside and placed a tender kiss on her cheek.
“Are you okay, Rina?”
“I never knew it could feel so…so…beautiful. Please don’t stop.”
He gazed into her eyes and smiled with pride to go with the desire in his eyes. She never lost connection with his gaze as he moved slowly. Perfectly in tune, they created a rhythm that felt like old times. He moved, she moved with him. It didn’t matter how slow he went, or how fast, she moved with grace each time he did.
Laughter wanted to escape at the ridiculous notion that she thought she didn’t know what to do. She knew exactly what to do. Hell, he figured she could’ve laid there with no movements whatsoever and it still would’ve felt incredible.
Slow and steady, the magic continued to build between them. Needing more, craving more, he claimed her lips in a blistering kiss. She clutched the back of his head the minute his lips touched hers. He felt the ferocity, the passion in her hands, mirroring his exact feelings for her. Yet, he continued to slowly plunge in and out with desired patience.
Her tiny little moans got louder, her hands got tighter, almost yanking on his hair. She was climbing closer to a climax. She did the same exact thing when he was down loving her with his mouth. Something he ached to do again. She tasted so delicious.
Increasing the pace would draw her pleasure out right away. But the moment didn’t call for that. Didn’t speak to him that way. He kept thrusting at the same pace, wanting to savor every beautiful second. As he dreaded, she finally clenched around him, ending the glorious pleasure. He groaned with elation, his climax joining hers.
Moving away from her seemed impossible. The only sound to perforate the air was their heavy breathing. Why were they both breathing heavily when they moved with such slow care?
To think he had been nervous as hell. He had wanted her for so long, to finally have her, it seemed surreal. It was like having a dream, a sweet dream he never wanted to end. As if he would wake up, realizing that’s all it was—a dream. Even with her body pressed lovingly under his, he wanted to pinch himself to make sure he was really awake. God, what a true nightmare if it were all a delirious dream.
“I’m no expert myself. But this…what just happened…it’s never felt so right in my life. I never want to leave this bed,” he whispered in her ear, lightly taking a nibble.
“I’m so glad I have you in my life.”
He lifted his head, kissing her deeply. “Me, too.” He rolled to the side. “Let’s clean up and get some sleep. I really am exhausted.”
She nodded with a sleepy smile. Before long, after they used the bathroom, she was curled in his arms. Right where she belonged. It didn’t take long for sleep to come. Not one nightmare existed for the first time in a long time.
***
Rina wasn’t sure what to expect in the morning. Everything between them so new, so fresh, and so confusing. What she didn’t expect, for whatever crazy reason, was Ben to start moving his hands every which way on her body and take her again in such sweet, slow passion. She decided she liked the unexpected.
He still couldn’t get enough, to which she enjoyed, and joined her in the shower where he loved her one more time. By the time she dressed her body almost protested to walk to the kitchen. So relaxed. So ready for more. She wanted to climb back into bed with him and stay there all day. He looked delectable as he leaned against the counter waiting for the coffee to finish.
“I tend to make my coffee black. Hope it isn’t too strong for you.”
She walked into his arms and rested her head on his chest. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. Thanks for making it.” She kissed him before leaving his warmth to grab two mugs from the cupboard.
“Do you have a travel mug for me? I hate to just run out on you, but I told Zeke I’d meet him at the precinct around nine.”
“Of course.”
She put one mug away and reached higher to grab one of her travel mugs. Her shirt inched higher as she stood on her tippy toes. A soft groan escaped behind her. “You okay, Ben?”
He cleared his throat. “Yeah. Just praying the day goes fast. I miss you already.”
She turned around, smiling shyly. “So, you’re coming back after you’re done working?”
“If that’s okay. I heard Zoe’s party was changed to your house for tomorrow. I thought you’d like some help setting it up.”
“I’d love that.”
“Good. I’ll definitely have a better day knowing I get to see you tonight. What do you plan on doing this morning?”
She grabbed the coffeepot and filled their cups to the rim. “I have some errands to run. Things to get for the party.”
He walked toward her, taking the mug she offered. “Don’t do too much without me. I want to help.”
“Have a good day at work.”
He sighed. “Call me if you need me.”
He grabbed a quick searing kiss that made her ache for him to carry her back to the bedroom instead of walking out the front door. But that never happened.
***
Ben sat down at his desk as Zeke put the phone back on the hook.
“Just talked to Claradessa Phantosia, one of the consultants. She’s going to meet us at a coffee shop so we can talk to her.” Zeke leaned back in his chair as he looked at Ben with a critical eye. “You look different.”
“Not really.”
“You had a pep in your step when you walked in. Did you see Rina?”
He shuffled a piece of paper and grabbed a pencil. “Yeah, I saw her.”
“Shit. You finally got laid, didn’t you?” Zeke started to laugh.
“What makes you say that? And I’m not talking to you about Rina like that.” Ben finally tore his eyes away from the meaningless papers in front of him and glared at Zeke.
“Hmm, mmm, sounds like the shit I always said when you picked on me about Zoe. Payback is a bitch, buddy. I’m going to have fun with this.”
“You annoy me.” Ben threw the pencil at Zeke. He couldn’t help but chuckle when Zeke wouldn’t stop laughing. “Seriously, I’m not saying anything, but I spent the night at her house. It was hands down the best night I’ve ever had. That’s all you’re getting from me.”
“Oh, I’m gonna dig and dig and dig until you talk a little detail. Until you’re squirming in your little seat. Just like you always did to me.”
The cocky grin on Zeke should’ve annoyed him. It didn’t. He deserved it and would gladly take the ribbing because Rina was finally his. “Let’s get to work. When do we meet Claradessa? Such a weird name.”
“Yea
h, wait until you hear her voice. High-pitched like a singing canary. It was somewhat brutal talking to her on the phone. Hopefully it’s not as bad in person. In an hour. Let’s call the other consultant and the delivery driver, or we can pop in unannounced.”
“Stoyer. My office…now!” Captain Ganderson said, coming from behind him. He didn’t stop as he passed their desks. When he heard two sets of chairs move, he turned around. “I didn’t say you, Chance. I said Stoyer.”
Zeke slowly sat down, giving Ben a confused look. Ben shrugged, having no clue why the captain wanted to see only him. Whatever it was couldn’t be good. The captain looked pissed. He followed the captain to his office and shut the door when the captain hollered he do that.
“Have a seat, Stoyer.”
Ben took the seat and waited for the captain to sit down. The urge to tap his leg in a nervous gesture consumed him, yet he controlled the impulse by placing his hands on his legs. What the hell could’ve he done? The captain looked irate.
“What sort of mess have you landed in?” Ganderson asked slowly.
“None, Cap. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Were you disrespectful to Susan Croon at a crime scene?”
Ben jerked slightly, then sighed. “I was slightly rude for a moment. I apologized right after. These two cases are brutal…it won’t happen again, Cap. I’m sorry Susan thought I was that rude to tell you.”
“She didn’t tell me. You pissed someone off, Stoyer. A lot. You’re one of the best damn detectives I have. I can’t afford to lose you. Do you have any idea who the hell you pissed off?”
Shock. Confusion. Anger. It all devoured him in an instant.
Reginald Chastain.
Didn’t the man basically threaten his job last night? He didn’t waste any time. Why the hell was he surprised?
“I do, sir. I don’t really know how to fix that problem. You do what you have to do. I’d hate to lose my job when I always do the best damn job that I can. But if it happens, it happens. I’m not caving in to anyone’s demands.” Ben leaned back in his chair and smoothed out his pants. Wrinkles had formed when he clenched his legs.
One Taste of Love (A One Taste Novel Book 2) Page 9
